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SMGT20160 Player Development & Welfare

SMGT20160 Player Development & Welfare

Individual Research Essay                                                                                                                                

Each student has to complete a 2,500 word (maximum) research essay based on the research topic below. The assignment should utilise at least 10 academic journals and be presented according to the appropriate guidelines. This assignment is due to be submitted via Brightspace by 15.00 April 16th.

  1. Player’s Agents

Discuss the role of player agents in professional sport. Consider whether agents have a role to play in amateur sports such as the GAA or (non-professional) Olympic sports.

Guidelines

For this exercise you are expected to:

  1. Provide a short summary of the essay question.
  2. Critically review the selected articles. In doing so, it will be necessary to refer to other academic contributors on the topic under review. In your commentary state whether you agree/disagree with the arguments as detailed in the paper and outline clearly your reasons why, or why not.
  3. Cite all references used in your review

The final output will be a maximum of 2,500 words in length, using 1.5 line spacing and font size 12. Each essay should be typed, well laid out using appropriate headings/subheadings. Essay submissions must include the student’s name and student number, word count, course/subject name and the essay title on the front page. All submissions must be accompanied by a signed Assignment Cover Sheet, which is available to download on Brightspace.

Learning Outcomes & Guidelines

This assignment is designed to (a) deepen your understanding of the academic theory and (b) to develop your ability to critically evaluate the theory in the context of its practical application to a particular sport or sporting domain. Each essay should be typed, well laid out using appropriate headings/subheadings. Essay submissions must include the student’s name and student number, word count, course/subject name and the essay title on the front page. All submissions must be accompanied by a signed Assignment Cover Sheet, which is available to download on Brightspace.

The following are some guidelines and instructions to assist you in the completion of this assessment.

Suggested Structure

  1. Introduction (200-300 words)

Provide a short summary of the articles chosen and briefly outline two reasons for your choice of article.

  1. Main Body (1500 words)

Critically review the selected journal articles. In doing so, it may be necessary to refer to other academic contributors on the topic under review. Ideally, focus on the chosen articles and evaluate them in the context of the material covered in class. Please note that critical evaluation involves highlighting both the positive and negative features/aspects of the article in addition to its contribution or application to aspects of your chosen sporting topic: this will form a key part of the critique. In your commentary state whether you agree/disagree with the arguments as detailed in the articles by identifying clearly your reasons why, or why not.

  1. Personal Reflection             (400 words)

Write a short personal reflection of your experience in conducting this assessment. This may incorporate your likes/dislikes and your overall view on conducting such an assessment.

  1. Summary and Conclusion (200 words)
  2. Bibliography        (Not included in word count)

Cite all references used in your review. Reviews must be appropriately referenced using Harvard referencing system. ONLY sources that have actually been cited in the essay should be included in the reference list.

Some useful criteria that can be used for evaluating an Academic Journal Article and its application to practice?

The following criteria are useful. However, not all of the criteria will be relevant for evaluating all articles:

  • The timeliness of the article and the degree to which the article makes an original contribution
  • The logic of the view put forward, particularly in relation to your own discipline and sporting experience
  • The methodology employed. Is the methodology appropriate and, is the methodological approach explained clearly? Does the methodological approach have any weaknesses?
  • Is the study sufficiently comprehensive and thorough?
  • Is anything important omitted in the research?
  • Are the findings presented and described clearly and fully?
  • Do the findings seem credible and realistic?
  • The articles value compared to that of other articles on the topic

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