SHN4102 - Research Methods/Psychology of Motor Performance and Development

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1 demonstrate an understanding of principles of experimental design;
2 demonstrate an awareness of quantitative and qualitative research techniques
3 identify ethical considerations in research;
4 undertake preliminary data analysis and present data in tabular and graphical form
5 demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the nature of, and influences on, physical growth and the development of fundamental motor skills;
6 use observation, measurement and statistical tools to analyse the development of fundamental motor skills.

Content:

Principles of experimental and non-experimental design, ethical considerations in research.Introduction to quantitative and qualitative designs. Descriptive statistics; choosing and executing statistical tests to include correlation and t-test. Presentation of data to include graphs, charts and tables.
Fundamental concepts of motor development and performance, assessment of growth and the development of motor skills, and the effect of nutrition and activity, cognitive development, the development of coordination, balance, agility and fundamental motor skills and the identification of problems, use of descriptive statistics, tests of difference and relationship, quantitative research methods and ethical considerations presentation of data.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Underpinning theory in semester one is delivered in lead lectures is explored further using computer-based workshops and practical sessions. Practical sessions include data collection and laboratory-based tasks.

Theory sessions, seminars and practical sessions are blended in semester two, with a variety of methods. There will be 140 hours of independent study.

Lecture
Contact hours: 36
Intended Group Size: 1

Computer Workshops
Contact hours: 8
Intended Group Size: 5

Practical Workshops
Contact hours: 16
Intended Group size: 5

Assessment:

001 Practical File 1 x 2000 words (end of sem 1) 50%
002 Movement Analysis 1 x 2500 words (end of sem 2) 50%


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