The course aims for the student to deepen their academic and practical understanding of, and capabilities in, research and development work (R&D work), and to communicate their knowledge and experience in both academic and practically-applicable forms.

The course mixes theory and practice, where the student is the driving force in the work process.

The student works in collaboration with an organisation relevant to sport sciences, and together they identify a problem. The student prepares a project plan, and on the basis of this carries out R&D work that includes searching, collecting, evaluating, and critically-interpreting relevant empirical material. From this, the student draws conclusions and makes development recommendations that are then communicated with the organisation. The results are presented and discussed orally with the recipient party and in an academic context, and presented in written form as a popular science article.

In addition, the course includes evaluating the work process from a scientific, societal and ethical perspective, and identifying the need for additional knowledge with a focus on application from both a personal and a sport science perspective.

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

1. Implement an R&D project in close collaboration with an organisation relevant to sport sciences

2. Report the results of the R&D project

3. Account for and discuss the project’s conclusions

4. Evaluate the completed project with regard to relevant scientific, social and ethical perspectives

5. Identify the need for additional knowledge with a focus on application from both a personal and a sport science perspective

The course contains a variety of forms of work, such as lectures, guest lectures, seminars, group exercises, study visits and self-study. Those parts of the course that require compulsory attendance are indicated by the course leader at the start of the course.

The course is examined through:

Test 1: Individual written examination, 7.5 credits. In this, learning outcomes 1, 4 and 5 are examined.

Test 2: Written project report, 6 credits. Learning outcome 3.

Test 3: Oral presentation, 1.5 credits. Learning outcome 4.

Grading criteria for the three elements, as well as the course as a whole, are presented by the course leader at the start of the course.

Jain, Ravi, Triandis, Harry and Weick, Cynthia (2010). Managing Research, Development, and Innovation; Managing the Unmanageable. Third Edition. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. 416 pages.

Tonnquist, Bo (2016). Project management. Stockholm: Sanoma Utbildning. 500 pages.

Literature comprising up to 500 pages chosen in consultation with the teachers.

The university gives students who participate in or have completed a course, an opportunity to present their experiences and views on the course through a course evaluation organised by the university. The university compiles the results of these evaluations, and publishes the results and any decisions about measures that come from them. These results are made available to the students (HF: 1:14).