Course coordinator
Associate Professor Steven Rynne
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- External
- Attendance mode
- Online
- Units
- 8
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Human Movement & Nutrition Sci
Students conceive, design and conduct an empirical research project with the assistance of an identified supervisor (e.g. empirical case study, Action Research project, critical evaluation of a sport). Extended Project are conducted over two semesters with the format of final submissions to be negotiated with the supervisor (and Course Coordinator where appropriate) (e.g. publishable journal paper, formal report).Topics must relate to H&PE or coaching and approval will be dependent on the availability of a suitable supervisor.
This course provides an opportunity for students to develop, undertake and write-up an empirical research project related to sports coaching. The Thesis course extends students’ research and scholarly skills developed in earlier coursework and is intended to serve one or more of the following purposes:
- Furthering the body of applied knowledge available in relation to a topic of special interest, possibly developing from the student’s previous study, professional activities or research interests;
- Preliminary work, including an extensive literature review and development of a research design, on a topic, that might form the basis for a subsequent higher research degree (e.g., MPhil or PhD).
Some guidelines about the Thesis:
- It is usual for students to leave SPCG7031ﾠThesis until they have completed or almost completed their coursework requirements;
- SPCG7031 Thesis is taken over two semesters;
- Students are strongly encouraged to undertake SPCG7030 Directed Study prior to, or in parallel with the Thesis;
- The primary form of research encouraged in this course is Action Research (introduced to students in SPCG7027 Quality Coaching - Action Research);
- Students should make efforts to identify any other academics/professionals that they would like involved in their Thesis (within UQ and/or from relevant industry) so they may make recommendations to the course coordinator.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Students who undertake this course are assumed to have a sound knowledge of level human movement studies. It is recommended for students who plan to undertake the Thesis to leave this work until they have completed most of their coursework requirements. It is recommended that SPCG7030 be taken in parallel (or in advance) where possible.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
HMST7235, HMST7245 & SPCG7018
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Steven Rynne
Aims and outcomes
This course provides an opportunity for students to develop, undertake and write-up an empirical research project related to sports coaching. The Thesis course extends students’ research and scholarly skills developed in earlier coursework and is intended to serve one or more of the following purposes:
- Furthering the body of applied knowledge available in relation to a topic of special interest, possibly developed from the student’s previous study, professional activities or research interests;
- Preliminary work, including an extensive literature review and development of a research design, on a topic, that might form the basis for a subsequent higher research degree (e.g., MPhil or PhD).
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Critically reflect on your previous experiences in coaching and in higher education to identify areas of potential interest for further investigation
LO2.
Demonstrate an understanding of methodological approaches and select those most appropriate for their given topic
LO3.
Understand ethical clearance procedures and conduct research in ethically sound ways
LO4.
Independently research and critically evaluate an area of inquiry relevant to your own and others' coaching contexts
LO5.
Critically evaluate relevant theory and previous empirical research to make informed, convincing and justified decisions
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflection |
Formulating your topic
|
5% |
7/03/2025 1:00 pm |
| Project |
Research proposal
|
25% |
4/04/2025 1:00 pm |
| Project |
Ethical clearance
|
Pass/Fail |
28/04/2025 - 23/05/2025 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Progress report
|
10% |
26/09/2025 1:00 pm |
| Thesis |
Thesis
|
60% |
31/10/2025 1:00 pm |
Assessment details
Formulating your topic
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 5%
- Due date
7/03/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01
Task description
Coaches must nominate their preferred topic for investigation accompanied with a sound and well-supported rationale drawing upon aspects of their previous coursework (e.g. SPCG7030), coach education materials from their sport, hot topics in the popular press, and/or other sources.
Submission guidelines
Submit via the relevant Turnitin submission portal on the course Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Research proposal
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
4/04/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L02
Task description
Having agreed on a topic, coaches must propose an appropriate methodological approach to answer their research Qs. Submissions must be well supported and demonstrate a sound understanding of methodological issues.
Submission guidelines
Submit via the relevant Turnitin submission portal on the course Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Ethical clearance
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- Pass/Fail
- Due date
28/04/2025 - 23/05/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03
Task description
Coaches must demonstrate an understanding of ethical clearance procedures prior to commencement of the research project (some may progress to formal ethical clearance procedures where appropriate)
Submission guidelines
Submit via the relevant Turnitin submission portal on the course Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Progress report
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
26/09/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L04, L05
Task description
Coaches submit a brief report outlining the progress of their Thesis. This includes work completed and modified timelines for submission.
Submission guidelines
Submit via the relevant Turnitin submission portal on the course Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Thesis
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Thesis
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
31/10/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L04, L05
Task description
Coaches submit a research report in a form to be negotiated (e.g., 'publishable' paper, research report, presentation and executive summary).
Submission guidelines
Submit via the relevant Turnitin submission portal on the course Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
A final percentage mark will be rounded to the nearest whole number (e.g. 64.50 and above will be rounded to 65 and 64.49 and below will be rounded down to 64).
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Assessment Issues
All issues with assessment (including extension requests) should be broached with the Course Coordinator in the first instance.
Use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation
This tasks in this course have been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass assessment tasks, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
What is Turnitin
Turnitin is an electronic assignment submission tool. The tool provides your Course Coordinator with:
· a record of the exact submission time of an assignment
· an originality report indicating the percentage of your work that is an exact match of existing materials within the Turnitin database.
Instructions on how to submit an assignment using Turnitin are located on the UQ Library website
Submit your Turnitin assignment - Library Guide
Note:
When submitting, to check that you have chosen the correct file on the Preview Submission page and click on the Submit to Turnitin button. ﾠ
Remember to download your digital receipt in your Assignment inbox to confirm successful submission.
If a submission cannot be successfully completed, email a copy of the assessment task to the Course Administrator. For contact details refer to Course Contributors section of the Course Profile.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks |
Not Timetabled |
Thesis Coaches will undertake their approved research project and write up findings in an appropriate form Learning outcomes: L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 2 |
Not Timetabled |
Formulating your topic Coaches will begin to formulate a topic for their Thesis through various means including (but not limited to) revisiting aspects of their previous coursework (e.g. topic they chose in SPCG7030), Coach education materials from their sport (e.g. psychology modules), and hot topics in the popular media (e.g. concussion). Coaches will then share ideas with the course coordinator and peers. Learning outcomes: L01 |
Multiple weeks From Week 3 To Week 6 |
Not Timetabled |
Research proposal Having agreed on a topic, coaches must propose an appropriate methodological approach to answer their research Qs Learning outcomes: L02 |
Multiple weeks From Week 7 To Week 12 |
Not Timetabled |
Ethical clearance After incorporating any feedback related to their proposal, coaches must complete the ethical clearance protocol Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Multiple weeks From Week 12 To Exam week 2 |
Not Timetabled |
Progress report Coaches will provide a brief update on the progress of their Thesis Learning outcomes: L04, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: