Module: MSc Elite Sport Performance Thesis

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	MSc Elite Sport Performance Thesis
Module Code	SPO1052 (ITS: SS509)
Faculty	Health & Human Performance	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	30

Description

The MSc Elite Sport Performance Thesis provides students with the opportunity to conceive, synthesise and implement a research investigation into a genuine performance issue within their own sport domain, making use of appropriate methodologies and related knowledge.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify, examine, review, and critically discuss existing literature relevant to their chosen research topic
2. Formulate and communicate a research question or aim.
3. Design and plan a research project and manage the time involved to complete the project, and related report, within given time constraints.
4. Identify, justify and employ an appropriate methodology to address the proposed research question or aim, including appropriate consideration of ethical issues
5. Collect data via appropriate means and accurately record, interpret and report findings in an appropriate manner that addresses the research question or aim.
6. Analyse, interpret and draw conclusions from the research findings in the context of the literature in the area.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Seminars	15	Stimulus presentations and group discussions will be used to tease out possible contributing topics, including methodology and measurement issues, and test the student’s current levels of knowledge and experience with them relevant to their thesis topic.
Independent Study	700	Conducting research and writing thesis
Lecture	6	Lectures on thesis proposal, preparation and processes
Online activity	15	Completion of online asynchronous task for University Ethical Approval and applying for ethical approval
Tutorial	14	Individual tutorials with supervisors and group tutorials for peer review and feedback on research process
Total Workload: 750

Section Breakdown
CRN	11762	Part of Term	Semester 1, 2 & 3
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC2	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Robin Taylor	Module Teacher	Áine MacNamara

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Presentation	Oral presentation of thesis proposal	20%	n/a
Thesis	The thesis will present the research undertaken by the student as an integrated whole and will be prepared in accordance with academic conventions and module guidelines	80%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Supervision and learning activities
Students will maintain regular contact with their supervisory team, including meetings and electronic communications. At least eight-ten contacts per year should be completed and logged either face to face or as virtual meetings, with the Lead Supervisor in attendance. Students are strongly encouraged to attend annually the ‘on campus’ learning days that are a feature of the programme. These will be arranged in September and June at DCU. Timings will be varied to help students work around the professional challenges of their performance domain. As the project progresses, students may be directed towards one or more specialist training opportunities available from the University. Students will attend tutorials and webinars to direct their learning. These stimulus presentations and supervisor/student discussions will be used to tease out possible contributing topics, including methodology and measurement issues, and test the student’s current levels of knowledge and experience with them relevant to their thesis topic. Guidance on relevant reading and learning and support material relevant to the student’s domain will be provided by the Personal Tutor. By this level, students will be working in a specialised subsection of their own performance domain. Journal articles and conference papers are likely to form the bulk of the reading at this stage.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Silva, P.: 2017, How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing,,, APA,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None