8 ECTS credits
204 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4018687FNR for all students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.
The objective of this course includes the (further) development and reinforcement of students’ scientific knowledge, skills and attitude within the international research domain of Physical Activity, Fitness and Health (PAFH).
To this end, a comprehensive introduction and demonstration of the most common ‘MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENTS’ in the field of PAFH will be provided, focussing on those tool that are also available (for students) in the different BESW lab facilities (i.e., qualitative/quantitative, objective/subjective, metabolic/performance-based/behavioural measurements). Students will individually deepen and specialize themselves in 2 to 3 of these measurement instruments in order to scientifically guide and follow-up (i.e., pre-test / post-test / follow-up test) a limited number of self-recruited subjects by monitoring PAFH related parameters in the common realization of a predefined SMART-goal with their participants.
In addition, this course provides the basics of ‘ACADEMIC WRITING SKILLS' and ‘ACADEMIC PRESENTATION SKILLS', which will be interactively taught to the students in English. In the transition from theory to practice by means of specific assignments, there will be a strong link in terms of content with the ongoing 1st part of the Research internship in PAFH. In the context of student follow-up, group sessions (incl. peer feedback) will also be scheduled.
Finally, the students are required to attend the 'VBSW symposium' of the Flemish Society for Movement and Sport Sciences and to actively participate in networking moments and question rounds.
Presence at all scheduled contact hours as well as the VBSW symposium is MANDATORY. In case of a legitimate absence and/or a study period abroad, a suitable (inter)national alternative for this conference will be sought in consultation with the lecturer.
Since English is the international main language in scientific research, a good knowledge and mastery thereof is recommended. Accordingly, some of the lessons and/or practical sessions will be taught in English.
In order to take this class, the following compulsory additional costs will be charged: printing a poster (estimated contribution of 7,5€) and attending the VBSW symposium (estimated contribution of 25€). These costs are borne by the student and can neither be passed on to fellow students nor recovered from the lecturer or faculty. The amounts stated are approximately correct. If you experience payment difficulties as a result of these additional costs, you can contact Student Social Services. More info on https://student.vub.be/en/social-service#financial-support.
- The students gain insight into the most common measurement instruments within the international research domain of PAFH. They are expected to be able to provide an overview of target (group), test set-up and administration, output and interpretation of test results, reliability and validity as well as additional (dis)advantages for each instrument.
- The students can efficiently apply the knowledge of 2 to 3 measurement instruments and/or test methods on an individual basis through the follow-up of a limited number of self-recruited subjects (with(out) variable specific characteristics in terms of age, gender, SES, culture, religion, language, etc.) by monitoring PAFH related parameters.
- The students gain insight into a structured and qualitative academic writing style in English with attention to the various forms and elements of scientific articles. They are expected to effectively translate this basic knowledge into self-produced text materials by means of intermediate assignments.
- The students gain insight into the general principles of a good poster and/or oral presentation with attention to design, structure and (non-verbal) communication in view of a successful appearance with maximum impact. They are expected to effectively translate this basic knowledge into the presentation of (own) research by means of intermediate assignments.
- The students do not learn to better communicate using both written and spoken academic English, but also sharpen their linguistic awareness by working together, critically evaluating each other's work and providing constructive feedback.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Other Exam determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
The assessment of this course is done through a combination of product and process evaluation. The product evaluation on ‘MEASURING INSTRUMENTS’ includes the assessment of the corresponding work piece (N=1) and for ‘ACADEMIC WRITING & PRESENTATION SKILLS’ the assessment of the (intermediate) assignments (N=3), part of which must be elaborated in English. The associated process evaluation of both aspects includes the assessment of an E-portfolio to be maintained by the student (via OneDrive, Office 365).
[ATTENTION:] Absence from a mandatory part of the evaluation leads to an ‘absent’ as a result code.
[ATTENTION:] If a student is more than 3 times absent during the mandatory contact moments and/or cannot provide proof of participation in a scientific conference, he/she will not be allowed to take part in the exams of both the 1st and 2nd term and will receive 0/20 as result code (= final score) for both exam sessions. In case of a legitimate absence, the student must submit proof of this to the faculty secretariat and contact the lecturer within a week of the compulsory lesson at hand to arrange a catch-up session. Students with a top sport statute may deviate from the attendance obligation in consultation with the Top Sport and Study service, that coordinates to find an appropriate alternative at the start of each semester.
[ATTENTION:] To pass this course, a minimum of 10/20 for each examination part (N=2) is required! In case of an insufficient mark on one or more examination parts, the lowest subscore will be used as the final score instead of the weighted average. The partial result of an examination part, with at least a subscore of 10/20, will be automatically transferred to the 2nd term exam period. If the course needs to be retaken, the partial result of an examination part, with at least a subscore of 10/20, will also be automatically transferred to the following academic year. A student cannot refrain from this automatic transfer of the partial result.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Movement and Sports Sciences: Physical Activity, Fitness and Health Profile Profile Research (only offered in Dutch)