EHR128 Understanding Research (8)

This subject assists students to evaluate knowledge sources and develop basic investigation skills related to the disciplines of human movement. The subject further provides an overview of the theory and practice of using and undertaking research for the purpose of becoming competent consumers of peer-reviewed literature and critical thinkers in the broad field of human movement and sports media. Students will further develop skills to read and critically analyse research. In addition to exploring the relationship between theory and practice, stages of the research process will be examined. Concepts to be addressed in this subject include accessing knowledge and critiquing sources of information, basic data collection and analysis techniques in quantitative and qualitative paradigms. Students will consider the ethics of conducting research in the field of human movement, with a particular focus on working with Indigenous Australian peoples. The subject will develop and enhance student's literacy and numeracy skills in relation to reading and conducting research in the field.

Subject Outlines
Current CSU students can view Subject Outlines for recent sessions. Please note that Subject Outlines and assessment tasks are updated each session.

Availability

Session 1 (30)
On Campus
Bathurst Campus
Port Macquarie Campus
Online
Bathurst Campus
Session 3 (90)
Online
Bathurst Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: EHR128. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Exercise Science, Sport and Health

Enrolment Restrictions

Available to students in:

Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science

Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science (Sport Management)

Bachelor of Education (Health & PE)

Bachelor of Educational Studies

or as approved by the Course Director

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to evaluate peer reviewed information from scholarly databases;
  • be able to reference peer reviewed sources of information in a consistent and academically-recognised format;
  • be able to identify the need for principled and ethical research practices;
  • be able to apply the metalanguage of research in critiquing scholarly works;
  • be able to critique the validity of information available in the popular media;
  • be able to identify and discuss key aspects of research reports;
  • be able to analyse data sets using appropriate statistical methods;
  • be able to analyse different research paradigms;
  • be able to describe research methodologies appropriate to Indigenous Australians peoples and their communities.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • The essence of a profession: knowledge and the academy, myths in exercise, sport & health sciences
  • Peer review process, searching academic databases and referencing;
  • Scientific method and the search for truth: Kuhnian vs Popperian philosophy
  • A comparison of quantitative and qualitative methodologies in the exercise, sport and health sciences
  • Methods of reasoning and constructing an argument through deductive and inductive processes
  • Reading, analysing and distilling information from research papers;
  • Ethics in conducting and evaluating research;
  • Understanding basic quantitative analyses: variables, probability, hypotheses, use of statistical software;
  • Research designs (causation versus correlation): experimental; non-experimental; case study; and participatory action research;
  • Qualitative research: data collection methods (interviews, surveys, participant observations, artefacts) and data analysis methods (discourse analysis, thematic analysis);
  • Australian lifestyle disease trends and the role of exercise, sport and health science professionals.

Contact

Current Students

For any enquiries about subject selection or course structure please contact Student Central or ask@csu.edu.au or phone on 1800 275 278.

Prospective Students

For further information about Charles Sturt University, or this course offering, please contact info.csu on 1800 275 278 (free call within Australia) or enquire online.

The information contained in the 2018 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: August 2018. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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