Research Project in Sport and Exercise Sciences (Y/508/4605) Assignment Brief 2026

Research Project in Sport and Exercise Sciences Assignment Brief

Assignment Summary

This unit will allow learners to develop skills, knowledge and understanding to be able to undertake a research project. Throughout this unit, learners will develop and enhance their planning, research and investigative skills.

Learning Outcome 1

The learner will:

understand the mechanics, planning and implementation considerations for a sport science or exercise science-based research project

The learner must:

• understand the structure and format of research projects
• explain methods of data collection and analysis
• outline ethical and legal requirements

Pass: Explains possible solutions to plan a sport science or exercise science-based research project.

Merit: Explains effective solutions to plan a sport science or exercise science-based research project.

Distinction: No Distinction for this learning outcome.

Delivery and Assessment:

Learners must plan a sport science- or exercise science-based research project in an area of their choice. Within the plan, learners must:

● outline a proposed title
● state the aims and objectives of the project
● make reference to the scope of the project
● provide evidence of due regard for ethical and legal considerations
● provide the research design
● sample and name appropriate data collection and data analysis methods.

Learners must understand the restrictions within their specific institution in order to meet the requirements of the unit.

Types of evidence:

Evidence could include:

• research project plan
• Gantt chart (or similar).

Learning Outcome 2

The learner will:

undertake a sport science- or exercise science-based research project

The learner must:

• undertake sport science- or exercise science-based research
• research and record data from the research project

Pass: Investigates complex technical problems, trying out several possible solutions.

Merit: Some complex, technical problems are resolved.

Distinction: Complex, technical problems are effectively resolved.

Delivery and Assessment:

Learners must carry out sport science- or exercise science-based research, selecting the most appropriate resources to conduct the research. Learners must consider the following aspects when planning their project:

● check availability and book resources and facilities as required
● ensure familiarity with research techniques
● familiarity with research equipment.

Throughout the research project, learners will ensure that ethical and legal issues are considered prior to any research being undertaken, including:

● informed consent and confidentiality
● conducting the required level of health screening
● ensuring data protection steps have been implemented
● ensuring the welfare and safety of the client throughout the research process (this should include child protection, DBS checking, knowledge of operating equipment)
● gaining the required level of ethical clearance for the project.

Learners must collect and record data from the research project. Learners must make sure all data is collected with precision whether it is in a field-based or laboratory-based environment.

Learners must consider the different issues that they may face throughout data collection in different environments. Learners must select and use spreadsheets or databases, interviews, questionnaires, surveys, and participant observation appropriately. When learners are recording data, they will ensure a suitable method is used, such as:

● rank order
● frequency
● cumulative frequency
● range
● transcribing audio
● recording video.

Evidence of the above could be reflected through witness statements from the Tutor that clearly demonstrate learners’ performance throughout the research project. As with the planning stage, evidence of ensuring the welfare and safety of the participants should be included.

Types of evidence:

Evidence must include:

• report
• data.

Evidence could include:

• observation reports
• audio/visual.

Learning Outcome 3

The learner will:

produce a sport science- or exercise science-based research project

The learner must:

• produce a research report using a standard scientific structure

Pass: Completes a research report.

Merit: Completes a research report mostly accurately.

Distinction: Completes a research report accurately and meets all of the requirements.

Delivery and Assessment:

Learners must produce a full research report using a standard scientific structure that will include the following areas or sections:

● title page
● abstract
● general contents page
● contents page for figures and tables
● contents page for appendices
● acknowledgements
● introduction
● literature review
● method
● results
● discussion and conclusion
● references section using a suitable method ie Harvard
● appendices.

The report should be a coherent and well-structured research report. Learners should be encouraged to use suitable levels of ICT to support the production of the report.

Learners should relate the literature to the aims of the project, making arguments in the discussion section that are related specifically to project aims and drawing valid conclusions.

The research report must provide evidence of the use of a wide variety of books, periodicals and websites.

Types of evidence:

Evidence must include:

• research report.

Learning Outcome 4

The learner will:

review a sport science- or exercise science-based research project

The learner must:

• review the research project

Pass: Carries out a review of the research project conducted, and makes reasoned conclusions for strengths, areas for improvement and recommendations for future research based on appropriate information.

Merit: Carries out a review of the research project conducted, and makes reasoned and balanced conclusions for strengths, areas for improvement and recommendations for future research based on appropriate information.

Distinction: Carries out a review of the research project conducted, and makes well-reasoned and balanced conclusions for strengths, areas for improvement and recommendations for future research based on appropriate information.

Delivery and Assessment:

Learners must carry out a review of the research project conducted, describing strengths and areas for improvement and future recommendations. Within the review learners will comment on how well the project conclusions met project aims, and learners should present recommendations should the project be completed again, making clear what would be changed (if appropriate) and why. Learners should explain why such changes would benefit the research project.

Learners could describe any potential future research proposals that could be developed from the research project just completed.

Throughout the project, learners must produce a review of the project that outlines whether the project aims have been met, providing evidence to support the review. Learners will need to describe the strengths of the project, areas for improvement and make clear recommendations for further research.

Types of evidence:

Evidence could include:

• review
• feedback.

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