This module aims to:

Provide students with the opportunity to future gaze in order to identify the possible major shifts that may impact on the sport business environment;

Develop students' critical understanding of how to conduct business research within an academic framework, in order to investigate the impact the major shift will have on sport business related organisations, develop supportable conclusions, and formulate actionable recommendations that endeavour to address the issues identified.

(LO1) Students will be able demonstrate the ability to apply foresight and scenario techniques to explore key future trends and societal changes and how they may impact on sport business organisations.

(LO2) Students will evidence the ability to select, critique and apply relevant theory, strategies and methodologies in investigating a complex issue within the sport business environment.

(LO3) Students will be able to analyse ambiguous information, synthesise knowledge and make reasoned judgements and recommendations within a dynamic and changing sport business environment.

(LO4) Students will be able to develop and execute a structured plan in order to undertake independent research using appropriate methods.

(LO5) Students will reflect on their personal development through undertaking the module.

(S1) Flexible and adaptable.
Students will need to adapt their work style in order to work effectively within a group in undertaking the virtual conference.

(S2) A problem solver.
The independent project will enable students to develop their ability to identify and address the problems created by major societal shifts that will impact sport organisations.

(S3) A team player.
The virtual conference requires students to work within a team.

(S4) Organised and able to work under pressure.
The virtual conference and individual project will require organisation of others and self in terms of time and resources.

(S5) An excellent verbal and written communicator.
The virtual conference will enable the development of verbal and visual communication skills, whilst the independent project will require well developed written communication skills.

(S6) A lifelong learner.
The individual assessment includes a reflection that will enable students to identify actions for personal development.

(S7) Ethically aware.
Within the individual project students will consider the ethical implications of the issue that is analysed and their propose solutions.

The first part of the module will be delivered through six e-lectures/seminars which will enable students to develop critical understanding of the research methodology, methods and planning that will underpin the two assessment tasks. Individual online tasks and discussion boards will be used to develop students learning, these will be moderated by the module tutor to ensure individual and group feedback, and to support the development of the virtual conference presentation groups. Students will also be directed to key academic and practitioner readings to further develop their learning.

Unscheduled Directed Student Hours: 18 hours

Description: The e-lectures/seminars will equate to 3 hours/week over 6 weeks, undertaken asynchronously.

Attendance Recorded: Yes – tracked via the learning platform.

Additionally, one scheduled synchronous seminar will be delivered (if there are issues with time zones another seminar will be provided).
Scheduled Direct ed Student Hours: 2 hours

Description: The scheduled seminar will equate to 2 hours undertaken synchronously. The date and time of the seminar will be confirmed at the start of the module.

Attendance Recorded: Yes – tracked via the learning platform.

In order to prepare for the virtual conference, students will be given directed group activities that enable the development of the virtual groups for the assessment of this module, and provide opportunities for formative feedback from the module tutor in relation to assessment.

Unscheduled Directed Student Hours: 8 hours

Description: The group activities will be undertaken synchronously for the group over 6 weeks. This will begin two weeks into the module, and will continue two weeks after the research methods lectures. The group activities will equate to 1 hr/week during the first 4 weeks, and 2hrs/week during the final 2 weeks.

Attendance Recorded: Yes - tracked via the learning platform.

The virtual conference will involve students presenting the analysis, findings and recommendations of their project to each other in order to elicit discussion and feedback that will inform their final written project.

Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 2 hours

Description: The virtual conference will be undertaken synchronously for the group. The dates and times will be confirmed at the start of the programme, and where necessary, the conference will be repeated depending on the number of students and the time zones of the students’ location.

Attendance Recorded: Yes - tracked via the learning platform.

Students will be allocated a project supervisor for their individual assessment. It is expected that students will have at least four supervisory meetings, and the first meeting will involve the approval of a proposal for the individual project.

Unscheduled Directed Student Hours: 4 hours

Description: The first meeting will include format ive feedback on the student's project proposal, and the content of the other three meeting will be dependent on the needs of the student.

Attendance Recorded: Yes.

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 566 hours

Description: Initially students will undertake independent tasks and reading in order to support the learning in the e-lectures/seminars and also to develop their contribution to the virtual conference. In the second phase of the module, students will work on their project proposal and, after formative feedback on the proposal, continue on to work on their project.

Scenario building and foresight techniques;
Literature survey and conceptual frameworks;
Locating research questions within a theoretical framework;
Factors influencing selection of research methodology and method and gathering and analysing data;
Research ethics;
Constructing a project (research) plan;
Presenting the research, findings and recommendations;
Style and formats of presenting the project.