Unit rationale, description and aim
Research in high performance sport settings is critical for providing athletes and practitioners with evidence-based strategies for improving performance and maintaining athlete well-being. The focus of this unit is on evidence-based approaches to the formulation, design and conduct of projects in the high performance sport environment. Students will develop an ability to critically appraise the process and planning of projects designed to investigate questions in the applied setting, and gain awareness of alternative approaches used in sports science research. Students will construct an implementation plan for a project designed to investigate a problem of practical relevance to the student's industry, workplace or research goals. The aim of this unit is to enable students to develop skills in reviewing appropriate literature and the appraisal of available field, laboratory and/or software technologies for data acquisition and analysis, with a focus on developing scientific/report writing and presentation skills.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Display appropriate standards of ethical and profe...
Learning Outcome 01
Design an evidence-based project that involves acq...
Learning Outcome 02
Critically appraise literature and contemporary co...
Learning Outcome 03
Communicate the design of an evidence-based projec...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- Evidence-based practice
- Overview of the research process
- Preparing and planning for a project
- Developing a project topic
- Developing a research question and hypothesis
- Introduction to research methods
- Experimental
- Quasi-experimental
- Case study
- Surveys
- Ethical considerations in the design and implementation of investigative projects
- Guidelines for Human Experimentation (National Health and Medical Research Council)
- Project design, development and common barriers in the High Performance Sport (HPS) environment.
- Rationale, aims and hypotheses
- Study design and feasibility
- Recruitment, timelines and funding
- Research translation
- Scientific and industry reports
- Industry report writing
- Oral presentation and Poster presentations
- Social media, 3MT, infographics
Assessment strategy and rationale
In order to best enable students to achieve unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes, standards-based assessment is utilised, consistent with University assessment requirements. A range of assessment strategies have been purposefully designed for the assessment of learning outcomes reflecting the principles of authentic assessment design and include:
- Assessment Task 1: a case study to assess the application and implementation of knowledge and understanding as they relate to research design and ethics in High Performance Sport;
- Assessment Task 2: an oral presentation to assess ability to critically appraise research project design, analysis and interpretation for High Performance Sport, as well as skills in communication and the use of visual media; and
- Assessment Task 3: a written assignment to assess the application of ethical and research knowledge using an authentic format (eg. funding application).
To pass the unit, students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome, pass hurdle tasks, and obtain a minimum mark of 50% in graded units.
Overview of assessments
To pass the unit, students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome and obtain a minimum mark of 50% in graded units.
Assessment 1 Ethics Case Study: Enables stude...
Assessment 1
Ethics Case Study:
Enables students to demonstrate their understanding and application of ethical principles by reviewing a High Performance Sport case study. This includes demonstration of reporting and communication skills.
20%
Assessment 2 Oral Presentation of a High Perform...
Assessment 2
Oral Presentation of a High Performance Sport experimental research study:
Enables students to demonstrate their ability to critically appraise research project design, analysis & interpretation for high performance sport, as well as their skills in oral communication and the use of visual media.
30%
Assessment 3 Project Proposal: Enables st...
Assessment 3
Project Proposal:
Enables students to demonstrate their knowledge and application of ethical and research design considerations by developing and presenting an evidence-based High Performance Sport project in a formal written manner.
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
ACU Online
This unit uses an active learning approach to support students in the exploration of knowledge essential to the discipline. Students are provided with choice and variety in how they learn. Students are encouraged to contribute to asynchronous weekly discussions. Active learning opportunities provide students with opportunities to practice and apply their learning in situations similar to their future professions. Activities encourage students to bring their own examples to demonstrate understanding, application and engage constructively with their peers. Students receive regular and timely feedback on their learning, which includes information on their progress.