This module will be taught in two theory classes of one hour duration and two computer lab practicals of one hour each for 12 weeks. Teaching will be supported with examples which will be worked through in class. Delivery of the module will involve practical work that the student will complete in class.
Module Aim:
To develop further the students' understanding of research methods, statistical concepts and techniques used in health and sports science.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1
Describe and discuss the research process, especially as it relates to the broad field of health and sports studies, and the advantages and disadvantages of various study designs. Critically evaluate the nature of quantitative and qualitative research and identify appropriate methods of analysis.
LO2
Identify different types of outcomes and be able to select the appropriate method of analysis for the type of outcome and study design. Explore a range and the implementation of a variety of data collection and data analysis tools.
LO3
Analyse and interpret a broad range of health, sports and scientific data. Perform and interpret statistical tests using software.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
Successful completion of year 1 or equivalent
Module Content & Assessment
Indicative Content
Introduction to research
What is research? Understanding a research question. Types of research: Qualitative and Quantitative, mixed method designs; Introduction to qualitative research and techniques. Defining research variables. Formulation of a hypothesis. Introduction to research design. Understanding different types of study designs and be able to choose the relevant design for a given question.
Data analysis and presentation of information
Review of descriptive statistics; Data reduction, organisation and presentation; ; inferential statistics; exploring a data set; statistical significance; correlations; understanding p-values.
The normal distribution
Probability distributions. Assessing Normality, parametric and nonparametric methods. Applications of the normal distribution.
Analysis of a single sample
Testing hypotheses about a mean based on a single sample, confidence interval for a mean based on the Central Limit Theorem.
Analysis of two samples
Testing two means both in the case of paired and unpaired data.
ANOVAs
Introduction to ANOVAs. The analysis of variance. Testing the equality of several means.
Practical
Review of inputting data and defining variable properties. Perform and interpret statistical tests using statistical software.
Assessment Breakdown
%
Continuous Assessment
15.00%
Practical
45.00%
End of Module Formal Examination
40.00%
Special Regulation
Students must achieve a minimum grade (35%) in both the practical/CA and final examination.
Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type
Assessment Description
Outcome addressed
% of total
Assessment Date
Examination
Statistics examination. Typically involves a maximum of two assessments which may be in the from of quizzes, assignments and written examinations.
1,2,3
15.00
n/a
No Project
Practical
Assessment Type
Assessment Description
Outcome addressed
% of total
Assessment Date
Practical/Skills Evaluation
Practical assessment.
2,3
45.00
Sem 1 End
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type
Assessment Description
Outcome addressed
% of total
Assessment Date
Formal Exam
Written exam
1,2,3
40.00
End-of-Semester
SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment