Identifying and Designing an Ethical Research Study for Sports Research

Identification and development of a research topic

Examine the various steps involved in identifying and designing an appropriate and ethically sound research study

Examine the ethical dilemmas associated with sports research and how these might be anticipated and negotiated during the research encounter

The content from the middle and latter parts of the module should be used to help inform an independent proposal for research. The key concepts, ideas, theories and methods from the module should be developed and the proposal should identify an appropriate and ethically sound research design. It is worth reflecting upon the literature used from the first assessment and then enhancing the depth and breadth to further develop critical analysis. Alongside this you are required to illustrate how you as a researcher will work with and negotiate the ethical dilemmas pertinent to this form of research in the context chosen.

Identification and development of a research topic-

• Provide the reader with a description of the area chosen to explore.

• Illustrate how and why this has been identified and the aims of the research.

• Touch upon the core debates or theories within this area and explain the contribution this has made or indeed the obvious gaps.

• Having set the scene, take your topic/area or theme and scrutinise this critically. Use your analysis skills to deconstruct it and illustrate to the reader what are the key issues/problems/misgivings or opportunities.

• This section should take a broad view initially but develop progressively towards the specifics of your interests.

• Having done this you should then be in a position to pose some informed research questions of your own-

For example- ‘Having reviewed the existing literature concerning... it is clear that the following questions remain pertinent. Q1, Q2, Q3. It is hoped that the rigorous examination of these question will...’

• Provide the reader with a critical analysis of the methods suitable for this study.

• Propose specific methods with detailed justification and theoretical significance.

• Illustrate issues concerning trustworthiness; what makes a good study?

• Clearly state the required sample to be studied (who? How many? Where? When?).

Ethical Issues-

• Illustrate to the reader your understanding of ethics and the specific ethical issues pertinent to the proposed study.

You are reminded that in-text citations and final list of references must conform to the University’s preferred Harvard style of referencing. Any key sources that are central to the completion of your assessment must be listed, and I emphasise the importance of undertaking wider independent reading to secure higher marks.

Sources

Students should be reminded here that their in-text citations and final list of references must conform to the University’s preferred Harvard style of referencing. Any key sources which are central to completion of the assessment must be listed, and emphasis should also be placed on the importance of undertaking wider independent reading to secure higher marks.

E3i and Enterprise and Entrepreneurship skills

Students on this module will be expected to apply and develop several of the following skills.

Enterprise skills to be developed are: (1) Team working; (2) Creative problem solving; (3) Application of IT; (4) Communication and literacy; (5) Numeracy; and (6) Self-management.

Entrepreneurship skills to be developed are: (1) Using initiative; (2) Business and customer awareness; (3) Negotiating skills; and (4) Evaluating risks and rewards of opportunities.

As this module is research and knowledge focussed, students are expected to engage in seminar tasks designed to instigate creative problem solving and teamwork. Through such activities students will be required to communicate and verbally present and defend their research ideas via the use of various IT. Such skills will be improved and should directly transfer to the dissertation and further work opportunities where creativity, research and critical thinking are required.