Prerequisite course for this course is: IV608G Research and Development with Focus on Sport in Society

The course aims for the student to develop an in-depth understanding of current research and development in sport sciences, and to deepen their methodological knowledge that can be used in scientific work and research at advanced level.

The student works on identifying relevant current sport science issues related to sport in society. Focus is placed on the relationships between question, method and theory. The course deals with both qualitative and quantitative methods regarding the collection and processing of data.

The student thus further develops their capabilities to identify, manage, investigate and research relevant sport science issues focusing on the social science field. The student works both to analyse other people's research and to collect and analyse their own material based on various questions, which is presented in a "method portfolio". Finally, the student prepares a project plan for a research project.

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

• identify and discuss relevant sport science issues related to sport in society

• critically review and discuss the relationships between aim, question, method and theory in sport science research and literature

• analyse and problematise current sports science research from an ethical and a social perspective

• apply and discuss relevant theory and methods based on sport science issues

• prepare a research design in which methodological and ethical considerations linked to a chosen issue are presented and discussed

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: Written Report, 5 credits. In this, learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3 are examined.

Test 2: Portfolio, 5 credits. Learning outcome 4.

Test 3: Written Report, 5 credits. Learning outcome 5.

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.

Cresswell, John (2014). Research Design:Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Fourth Edition. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. 288 pages.

Fielding, Jane & Gilbert, Nigel (2006). Understanding Social Statistics. London: Sage Publications. 360 pages.

Jones, Ian (2015). Research Methods for Sports Studies. Abingdon: Routledge. 364 pages.

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).