Chapter 4 Project Procedures

4.2 Mastering Time Management

4.2.1 Early Preparation is Key

We strongly encourage you to start considering your research title and design as early as Level 5 during the Research modules. Ideally, you will have used these modules to gather literature, devise a protocol and piloted the project methods.

4.2.2 Setting Realistic Aims and Objectives

The cornerstone of a successful dissertation is setting achievable aims and objectives. As you plan, keep the following in mind:

  1. Time Management: How much time do you realistically have to complete your dissertation?
  2. Expertise: Do you have enough knowledge in the topic, or access to people who can guide you?
  3. Resources: Are the necessary equipment, testing venues, and participants available to you?
  4. Support: Can you easily access organizations or individuals crucial to your research?
  5. Budget: What costs will your project incur, and can you cover them?
  6. Ethical Approval: Are you prepared to secure the necessary ethical approvals?

4.3 Staying on Track: Key Dates and Milestones

Your project journey begins in semester one of your final year and culminates in a research project viva, which is typically your last undergraduate assessment. To succeed, it’s essential to work steadily and in close collaboration with your supervisor. Together, you’ll set personalised project milestones to ensure you stay on track.

4.3.1 Important Deadlines

While your project milestones will vary depending on your individual plan, there are some formal deadlines that every student must meet. It’s important to start early—achieving the required standard of work is not something that can be done at the last minute.

Remember: This project is your opportunity to showcase your ability to manage a significant piece of work independently. With careful planning and consistent effort, you’ll set yourself up for success.

Submission Academic Week Date Time
Ethical Application Week 5 Sem 1 1st November 16:00
*Ethical Amendments Week 10 Sem 1 6th December 16:00
Background & Methodology Submission Week 2 Sem 2 7th February 16:00
Results & Discussion Submission† Week 6 Sem 2 14th March 16:00
Final Research Project Week 13 Sem 2 28th April 16:00
Viva Poster Submission Week 13 Sem 2 2nd May 16:00
Research Viva Assessment Day Exam Week W/C 19th May TBC

*Submission only required by students who receive the following ethics decisions “Accepted with minor amendments”, “Accepted with Major Amendments” & “Rejected”. † Not an official submission but strongly advised

Failure to submit an ethical application by 1st November, 16:00 [unless exceptional circumstances are upheld], will result in the student being restricted to a systematic/literature review only.

Failure to submit appropriate modification/amendment to an ethical application that has received the following ethics decision “Accepted with minor amendments”, “Accepted with Major Amendments” & “Rejected” by 6th December, 16:00 will result in the student being restricted to a systematic/literature review only)[unless exceptional circumstances are upheld].

Students who are planning a “primary/experimental” study (randomised/non-randomised study, case study/series, observational study [survey, interview, focus groups etc]) must have started data collection by 14th March, 16:00, failure to do so will result in the students project being converted to a systematic/literature review only [unless exceptional circumstances are upheld].

Students who fail to submit the Background & Methodology Section on 7th February, 16:00 or the Results & Discussion Section on 8th March, 16:00 [unless exceptional circumstances are upheld], will be ineligible to receive formative feedback.

Failure to submit the viva poster, in the correct format, by 2nd May, 16:00 [unless exceptional circumstances are upheld], will require the student to source and finance their own method of printing in preparation for the viva assessment day.

Students who failure to attend/present at the viva assessment day on W/C 19th May, TBC [unless exceptional circumstances are upheld], will be awarded 0 (non-submission).

These dates, as well as ‘suggested’ project milestones have been provided in each of the research project templates.

Whilst each of these projects has different methodological requirements, each of them follows a similar overarching structure; I) a review of literature is undertaken in order to establish the current state of knowledge in the subject area; II) the methodological features of the study are considered; III) data collection is undertaken; IV) results are processed, analysed and evaluated; V) and conclusions are drawn from the research.

4.4 Project Supervision

A prominent feature of this module is the independence students have in the design, implementation and reporting of their research, as such the student is ultimately responsible for the management of the project and meeting the module deadlines. Each student will be assigned a project supervisor, whose role is to ‘assist’ in the management of the project.

A supervisor’s role is to provide advice and guidance. They will be most effective in their role if students provide context when arranging meetings and submit work/questions in advance. Students should not attend meetings with nothing prepared, since it is the responsibility of the student to manage their project and a supervisor’s responsibility to offer advice and guidance. A supervisor will be able to advise on the following.

  • The suitability and feasibility of a student’s research question
  • The suitability and feasibility of a student’s methodological design
  • The suitability and feasibility of a student’s analytical techniques
  • Advice and guidance on a student’s dissertation structure
  • Among a host of other things

It is recommended that, at the start of any dissertation, the students discusses with the supervisor the following issues:

  • the general problem to be addressed
  • its academic and practical context and value
  • primary and alternative methods of investigation
  • a timetable to achieve the aims of the dissertation
  • access to necessary resources
  • the assessment criteria
  • required adherence to module format and presentation guidelines
  • the anticipated outcomes

Supervisors should be satisfied that the investigation:

  • is within their area of supervision expertise
  • can be completed within the prescribed time
  • falls within the module’s specifications
  • can be adequately co-supervised in the absence of the primary supervisor
  • complies with relevant ethical requirements

4.4.1 Supervisor meetings

Students should arrange to meet with their supervisors as soon as possible, in order to determine some individual project milestones, finalise the research question, refine the methodological features and prepare for ethics submission. Supervisors will not chase students for meetings; Supervisors will assume that if a student has not booked a meeting with them for some time it is because the student is managing their project independently and has omitted their right to supervision.

Although, there is no formal limit on the number of meetings a student can have with their supervisor, Staffordshire University School of Health, Education, Policing and Science, Sport and Sciences department are entitled to a minimum of [or the equivalent of] six 30 minute meetings, over the academic year. Students are expected to act professionally when communicating with their supervisors.

4.5 General Project Support

As well as the support students will receive from the module team and their allocated supervisor, students will be able to request, where appropriate, support from the sport technicians. Students are responsible for arranging any technical support that is required and are expected to act/communicate with the same professional manner as is expected when communicating with academic members of staff.

Students are encouraged to utilise the academic skills service, subject librarians and online resources that are available via the library and learning services. Supervisors may also signpost students to colleagues and/or PhD students who may aid with specific aspects of the project (for example, statistical analysis).

We would also like to take this opportunity to signpost students to an excellent series published in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology titles “Effective writing and publishing papers” (Cals & Kotz, 2013a, 2013b, 2013c, 2013d; Kotz & Cals, 2013a, 2013b, 2013c) and to the “Writing for the sciences” Coursera course courtesy of Stanford University and Dr Kristin Sainani (Writing in the Sciences, n.d.).

Students with specific support needs will be entitled to their usual mechanisms of support and if any additional requirements are identified by students prior to, or during the module they are encouraged to raise these with the module leader edward.stanhope@staffs.ac.uk.