You are required to critically review the literature relevant to the chosen topic area. The rationale for further research should be explicit, and the aims, objectives and hypotheses/research questions for the proposed future study should be stated. A guide of 1250 words is suggested for this section.
You are required to provide a comprehensive proposal of a suitable method to achieve the aims. The proposal should be detailed and justified, and should include the study design, subject selection procedures, measurements, interventions, the protocol, data analysis, ethical considerations, resource requirements and a study plan. A guide of 1250 words is suggested for this section.
Title
The title should be clear, concise (10-15 words) and relevant to your chosen area of research.
The area of research is: does moderate and heavy loads produce similar increases in strength and athletic performance in untrained people.
Introduction and Rationale (5%)
A concise introduction should address the key areas and issues of relevance. They should be put into context, so that the direction of the proposed research is clear. The rationale for the chosen area of future research should be clear and supported by evidence.
Review of Literature (40%)
Please refer to the marking descriptors for this section.
Presentation, structure and style
There should be a logical development of arguments, writing should be fluent and in an appropriate academic style. Attention should be given to spelling and grammar, and figures and tables should be used appropriately. Please also note the required guidelines for the presentation of the assignment below.
Use of Literature
The previous research reviewed should be relevant. An appropriate breadth of literature should be integrated and critically analysed. Literature should be compared and contrasted, with reasoning given where there are disparities in findings, and identification of gaps in the evidence.
Content and Knowledge
The information presented should be relevant, accurate, addressed to the topic, and at an appropriate depth, demonstrating understanding.
Synthesis, Discussion and/or Reflection
The literature should be critically analysed. The evidence should be integrated, enabling appropriate conclusions to be drawn.
Aims, Objectives and Hypotheses/Research Questions (5%)
The specific aims of the research should be concisely stated.
The objectives may be bullet pointed and should be realistic and concise.
Where the research is quantitative, appropriate hypotheses should be stated, which are supported by the review of literature. They must be suitable to accept or reject based on the findings of the research.
Where the research is qualitative, the research question(s) should be stated.
Method (40%)
Study Design
The research design should be stated and justified, and for quantitative studies, the independent and dependent variables should be identified.
Participants
A detailed description of the study participants and target population should be given. The number of participants, inclusion and exclusion criteria should be identified and justified. The recruitment procedure and sampling method should also be outlined and justified.
Measurements
The outcome measures to be collected should be stated, including units of measurement where appropriate, and details of the necessary equipment and/or questionnaires. A clear procedure for how the data will be collected should be given. The choice of measurements and data collection techniques should be justified (for example, why the jump mat or electro-goniometer should be used as opposed to other methods), with consideration for validity and reliability, and methods of control.
For questionnaires, details relating to validity/reliability of any published questionnaire/s to be used should be given (if questionnaires are not published reference must be given in relation to how validity/reliability will be established), the scale and anchor-points should be described (e.g. Likert scale), and examples of the questions should be given. For interviews/focus groups the process of developing questions (e.g. reviewing previous literature, conducting pilot studies), and the focus of questions (e.g. perceptions, opinions beliefs, attitudes, meanings) must be given.
For interviews/focus groups details should also be given regarding how Trustworthiness will be achieved throughout the study (e.g. audit trails, record of decision-making processes).
Interventions
If the study involves an intervention, such as a therapeutic treatment or exercise programme, a detailed description should be provided. Each element should be justified (for example, why a 10 minute massage protocol was chosen, or why fatigue should be induced through squat jumps as opposed to other methods), along with consideration for validity and reliability, and methods of control.
Protocol
A clear, concise and chronological outline of the research protocol should be given. This will be a step-by-step description of what the subject will do during the testing process. A flow diagram may be used to assist (but not replace) the description. The content will vary between studies, but will typically include; the location and duration of testing, measurement of subject characteristics (age, height, weight etc.), division into subject groups, the order and timing of measurement and intervention procedures, and any randomisation processes. Justifications should be given where appropriate (for example, why subjects have 2 minutes rest between tests, why the measurement is 2 hours after the intervention, or why the order of interventions is random). It is not necessary to repeat detailed information already given in the measurement and intervention sections. A pilot study may also be included here, but could be added as a separate section before the main study protocol if appropriate.
Data Analysis
The method of data analysis should be addressed in detail. The type of data collected should be identified, along with any computer software to be used. For quantitative designs, data reduction procedures and statistical analysis should be clearly outlined, including the comparisons that will be made and the statistical tests that will be used. Data analysis should be justified in terms of how it will achieve the aims of the study, and enable the acceptance or rejection of hypotheses.
For interviews/focus groups the plan for analysis should be described, together with the specific type/method of analysis (e.g. IPA, Grounded Theory, Content-Analysis) to be conducted and a rationale as to why it is being used.
Ethical Considerations
Ethical considerations for the research should be outlined, along with any steps that need to be taken to ensure the study is ethical. Any risks to the participants should be addressed, along with issues of confidentiality, and any potential adverse effects. Whether informed consent from the participant is necessary (which it will be in most cases) and how this will be obtained should be outlined, and also whether a health screen is required and why.
Resource Requirements
The resources required for the research should be clearly outlined. Where additional resources to those permanently available in the laboratories are required (for example purchasing new equipment, or any consumables, such as nutritional supplements or athletic tape), you MUST discuss the cost of these requirements and the feasibility of the research with your supervisor. There should be no assumption that it is possible for the University to purchase any equipment or consumables for your study.
Study Plan
A brief summary or flow diagram of the plan for the study, including time scales and the order of procedures should be included. It should be evident that the scale of the research has been considered and is feasible and realistic in the given time.
Referencing (5%)
The APA 7th style of referencing must be used throughout the assignment and you must follow the School Guidelines for Referencing which are available on Canvas. A reference list must be included on a new page at the end of your assignment.
Presentation
The assignment should be professionally presented, with logical structure, and attention to spelling and grammar. Appropriate paragraphing, use of sub-headings and labelling of figures/tables should be used throughout. It should be word processed using Arial font, size 11. Paragraphs should be 1.5 spaced and the text should be justified. The exact word count should be stated at the end of the assignment.