Sports Medicine: Science, Research Methods and Ethics, 15 Credits

Contents

This course aims to provide skills to facilitate the formulation and planning of a scientific thesis in the field of sports medicine. It includes scientific theory, literature searches, article reviews, research methodology, statistics, research ethics, and evidence-based medicine.

Expected learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding:
Students must be able to
1. Explain and describe fundamental concepts and methods in science, statistics, and ethics.

Skills and ability:
Students must be able to
2. Independently perform targeted literature searches in relevant databases.
3. Apply and justify an evidence-based approach.
4. Independently perform and evaluate relevant statistical analyses.
5. Apply ethical principles and guidelines in research.

Judgement and approach:
Students must be able to
6. Critically review and evaluate scientific methods and research approaches.
7. Assess and evaluate various statistical methods and analyses.
8. Reflect on various ethical issues related to research.
9. Discuss and assess the importance of different scientific theoretical perspectives for sports medicine research.
10. Critically review and reflect on scientific, methodological, and ethical aspects based on case studies in sports medicine.

Form of instruction

The course primarily adopts a problem-oriented approach, emphasizing active knowledge acquisition, critical thinking, and problem-solving. It includes lectures, group work, individual in-depth studies, and supervised seminars. The course is partly web-based, structured as a modified distance learning program with mandatory on-campus meetings in Umeå. The course will be delivered in English.

Examination modes

Learning Outcomes 1, 7, and 10: Assessed through individual written examinations.
Learning Outcomes 3, 6, 8, and 9: Assessed through group oral seminars and written assignments.
Learning Outcomes 4 and 5: Assessed through individual written assignments.
Learning Outcome 2: Assessed through practical individual examinations.

Student performance in written exams is graded as Fail, Pass, or Pass with Distinction. Performance in oral and written presentations is graded as Fail or Pass.

Examiners may decide to deviate from the modes of assessment in the course syllabus. Individual adaptation of modes of assessment must give due consideration to the student's needs. The adaptation of modes of assessment must remain within the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. 

Students who require an adapted examination - and have received a decision on the right to support from the coordinator at the Student Services Office for students with disabilities - must submit a request to the department holding the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on the adaptation of the examination, after which the student will be notified.

All mandatory elements are part of the course grading. Grading criteria are specified in the course assignment descriptions. The final grade for the course is determined only after all mandatory components are completed and assessed.

In cases where examinations or mandatory components cannot be repeated according to applicable re-examination rules, a reasonably equivalent task may be assigned. Students are allowed up to five examination attempts in total.

Other regulations

If the course has expired or undergone substantial changes, re-examinations based on the original syllabus will be guaranteed for two years after the student's first registration.