Course Resources Archive

The Independent Project is the single largest piece of assessed work undertaken by the student and is designed to further develop the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course. The Independent Project provides students with an opportunity to conduct a sustained, intensive and independent investigation into an area of study and to present their findings in a formal manner in accordance with academic conventions and the requirements of the subject.

The Independent Project may vary considerably in focus and purpose.  The diversity of disciplinary traditions reflected amongst the sport and exercise postgraduate courses (and within each of them) has resulted in a deliberately inclusive approach to the styles of Independent Project that are acceptable.  These include:

a) empirical investigation, where there is an emphasis on collection, interpretation, analysis and evaluation of primary data;

b) desk study, where there is an emphasis on an extensive review of literature, with careful synthesis and critical evaluation of the source material;

c) clinical or applied placement, where there is an emphasis on evidence, critical reflection and efficacy of current practice

d) business plan, where there is an emphasis on evidence based proposals and clarity of presentation of ideas

(NB These illustrative examples are not exhaustive, and other possibilities exist. The spirit of the Independent Project is to permit maximum flexibility for students whilst fulfilling the learning outcomes of the module - see below.)

On successful completion of the module the student should be able to:

a) identify an appropriate topic for investigation that reflects the aims of the named Course of study;

b) problematise the topic in order to develop a question (or set of questions) that are couched in a manner that is compatible with established good practice in the relevant discipline area(s);

c) apply an understanding of research and contemporary literature to address the particular research being undertaken;

d) select from a range of appropriate methods of enquiry those that are most suitable for the programme of study;

e) synthesise, analyse and critically evaluate a body of knowledge that informs the understanding of the area of study;

f) contextualise their own findings and views in relation to the established body of knowledge;

The learning activities associated with this double module are intended to develop the following:

Transferable skills:

a) sustain a commitment to a major piece of work from initiation to completion;

b) work independently, and exercise informed judgements about the subject at a high level;

c) gather appropriate source material, analyse and draw conclusions from it;

d) present a finished piece of high quality postgraduate scholarship; manage their time in order to accomplish the above.

Staff/student contact: approximately 5%
Student private study: approximately 95%

The Independent Project is a student-led independent piece of work and there is no formal class contact time to support this module. Students will be allocated a specialist adviser who will be available to meet with the student to provide advice and to support and to offer critical feedback on work undertaken. A supervisor will be appointed to each student at the start of Level III, and students will have an entitlement of 15 hours of tutorial time during the period for which they are registered for the Independent Project.

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.