SPS4065: An understanding of the research process and the appropriate terminology (LO1). An understanding of different research methodologies and basic quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques
SPS4065 Introduction to Research Assignment Brief Semester 1, 2026 | St Mary's University, Twickenham, London
SPS4065 Introduction to Research Assignment Brief
Core Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge and Understanding
1. An understanding of the research process and the appropriate terminology (LO1)
Cognitive Skills
2. An understanding of different research methodologies and basic quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques (LO2)
Performance and Practice
3. The ability to use SPSS for basic descriptive and inferential statistical analysis (LO3)
4. Skills in data presentation and referencing procedures (LO4)
Personal and Enabling Skills
5. The ability to use IT and communicate effectively in writing (LO5)
6. The ability to work in a group and reflect on assessment feedback in the context of student reviews (LO6)
Assessment Guidance on Research Portfolio SPS4065
Submit your research portfolio following the Harvard Referencing Style formatting guidelines(presentation and referencing) – Please check your Canvas resources for this. Submissions should be in an electronic version (PDF) to TurnItIn on the SPS4065 Canvas Page.
The following information on each section of the research portfolio is suggestive toprovide general format guidance. Failure to meet the final portfolio deadline will result in a fail for the module.
Part 1: Literature Review (20 marks – 500 words ± 10% word count)
- Select one of the research questions (either a Sports Science, Coaching, or Nutrition research question) provided to you.
- Write a short review of the literature to give the background to your research question, indicating its relevance and importance
- This section should consist of a well-organised and succinct review of key literature on this topic (‘what we know’)
- It should be an insightful analysis of previous research studies in your chosen area, and in doing so builds a rationale (‘what we don’t know’) for examining the given research question
- Include at least 10 references in your literature review, and include the reference list at the end of your review
- In-text citations (references) will be included in the word count. References in the reference list will not be included in the word count.
Part 2: Research Design Short Answer (20 marks – Up to 250 words per question; 5marks per question)
- This section will examine your knowledge and understanding of research design and methods
- Utilising information from the recorded lectures and seminars, you will answer fourshort answer questions on research design
- These short answer questions will be specifically linked to your weekly seminars, soplease ensure you make each session
- Include references and academic literature to support your answers
- (the word limit for each question is up to 250 words – anything over this will not be marked).
Part 3: Quantitative Analysis Task (20 marks – 350 words ± 10% word count)
- You will be given a quantitative data set in SPSS to analyse
- Conduct the appropriate analysis and annotate key findings from the SPSS outputs
- Present findings clearly and logically in the text and figures
- Report preliminary analysis checks
- Details of statistical results must be given (i.e., whether the results were significant or not, and if significant, give the level of significance), using appropriate statistical language
- In addition to the text, produce a figure to display the main findings
- All figures must be properly labelled and have a title (in line with Harvard Referencing Guidelines).
Part 4: Qualitative Analysis Task (20 marks – 600 words ± 10% word count)
- For this part of the assessment, you will select one of the research topics from Part 1of the Research Portfolio and create a semi-structured interview guide (you don't have to select the same topic as you did for the literature review)
- You will then be given an interview transcript for your chosen research topic to conduct some preliminary data analysis
- Include your interview guide, interview transcript and preliminary analysis in your submission
- 5 marks will be allocated to the interview guide; 15 marks will be allocated towards the analysis of the interview transcript
- No references are required in this section.
Part 5: Infographic Section (20 marks – 600 words ± 10% word count)
- Design an engaging and informative 1-page infographic to convey what should appear in a research paper discussion
- Communicate your ideas to a non-academic audience
- Use images and text to engage your audience
- You can use whichever software you wish to create your infographic, but one of the easiest ways is through PowerPoint.
- Here is a guidance video to help:
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References
- Present in Harvard Referencing Style format
- Check that all references quoted in the text from sections 1-5 are included in onecomplete reference list at the end of your portfolio
- Failing to include references that appear in sections 1-5 will result in marks being deducted from the sections in question.
Marking Guidance
Part 1: Literature Review (20 marks)
| Criterion | Marks available |
|---|---|
| Opening paragraph | |
| General overview and background of the review topic, setting the scene related to the title | 3 |
| Literature | 10 |
| Literature is organised well into themes | 2 |
| Insightful, succinct analysis of sources | 3 |
| Builds a clear narrative | 3 |
| Use of 10 (minimum) appropriate sources | 2 |
| Summary | |
| A clear section that summarises the main points of the review | 2 |
| Referencing, spelling and grammar | |
| Scientific writing style, Harvard formatted referencing | 5 |
Part 2: Research Design Short Answer (5 marks per question)
| Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|
| 5 marks | Excellent knowledge and understanding demonstrated, literature to support their answer, utilise examples from the lectures/seminars, excellent written and reference presentation |
| 4 marks | All of the above, but without examples from the lecture/seminar |
| 3 marks | Good understanding shown, but opportunities throughout to provide more clarity, examples, and literature |
| 2 marks | Engagement with the question but some misunderstanding is apparent, and no literature to support their answer |
| 1 mark | Minimal attempt to answer each question |
| 0 marks | No attempt/incorrect |
Part 3: Quantitative (20 marks)
| Criterion | Marks available |
|---|---|
| SPSS screenshots | |
| Annotated screenshots illustrating descriptive statistics, normality and statistical test outcomes | 7 |
| APA formatted Figure | 6 |
| Appropriate figure selection | 1 |
| Correct title place & wording | 1 |
| Correct axis labels + units | 1 |
| Correct formatting – no colour, lines, legend etc. | 1 |
| Correct values | 1 |
| Correct use and formatting of error bars; Inclusion of * on figures (if appropriate) | 1 |
| Summary statement | |
| Clear statement of key findings | 5 |
| Accurate test statistic and p-value | 2 |
Part 4: Qualitative (20 marks)
| Criterion | Marks available |
|---|---|
| Interview Guide | 5 |
| Questions are relevant to the chosen research question | |
| Open and probing questions are included | |
| Logical flow to the interview guide | |
| Initial Coding | 10 |
| Clear engagement with the coding process | |
| Appropriate initial codes assigned to the raw data extracts | |
| Depth and clarity – is the data contextualised | |
| Data organisation | 5 |
| Attempts to synthesise the initial coding (either in the form of an Excel or Word table) | |
| Grouping of common codes | |
| Collapsing codes into themes |
Part 5: Infographic (20 marks)
| Criterion | Marks available |
|---|---|
| Content | |
| Key aspects of a research paper discussion are included | 5 |
| Includes a description of each section’s purpose | 5 |
| The language is appropriate for a non-academic audience | 3 |
| Design | |
| Visually appealing and engaging infographic | 4 |
| Appropriate balance between text and visual information | 3 |
| SPS4065 | Introduction to Research | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment item | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Due Date | Weight | |
| 1 | 5 independent tasks | LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6 | 5th of May 2026, Before 5pm | 100% |
| Resubmissions – 2nd Attempt | ||||
| (for students who did not pass their first attempt) | 13th of November 2026 | |||
| Date Feedback and Grade will be available (2nd Attempts): | Two Weeks Post Due Date | |||
| NB. Assessment grades are not final until the University Examination Board takes place | ||||
| Resubmissions – 3rd Attempt (Final Opportunity) | Next Academic Year – Date TBC | |||
| (for students who did not pass their 2nd attempt) |
