"Adversity causes some men to break; other to break records."

- William A. Ward

Colloquium Information

Course Information

We are now requiring you to choose one of the two options (the Research Option or the Applied Inquiry Option) for the colloquium by the middle of your second quarter. The rationale behind this requirement is that for those of you who choose the research option you will need to register for SADL 590-01 (the section under Dr. Trail’s name) in the Spring quarter of your first year (see the Deadlines for Research Option, if you are unsure which Spring you should take it). This section of SADL 590 will be taught as a formal research methods and statistics class meeting Tuesday nights from 6-9 PM in a computer lab, and will be a prerequisite for doing the research option for the colloquium.

For those of you that decide to take the Applied Inquiry Option, you would register for SADL 590-02 (see deadlines for that option). This will be a class offered in the fall quarter.

If you choose the Research Option, you may always choose to switch to the Applied Inquiry Option at any time. If you choose the Applied Inquiry Option, you may switch to the Research Option at any time, however, you must take the research methods class (only offered in Spring quarters) before you will be given permission to start on your research project. Thus, in Fall 2009 if you decided to switch to the research option, you would take the SADL 590-01 class in the Spring of 2010, and the earliest you could present your colloquium would be in Fall 2010. Therefore, planning ahead is extremely important.

If you have any questions, please contact Galen Trail, trailg@seattleu.edu

Course Options – Brief Overview (see detailed requirements in pdf files)

• Option #1 (Research Option) – SADL 590-01 (Instructor: Dr. Trail)
  • See Research Option timelines (pdf ) as to when you need to register for this section based on your date that you want to present your colloquium.
  • Discuss your decision with Dr. Trail before registering.
  • The Research Project is an examination of a question or problem of interest which will result in a manuscript of approximately 20-33 pages (excluding references and appendices) and will consist of the following five major sections:
    • Introduction (2-3 pages)
    • Review of Literature (8-12 pages)
    • Methods (2-4 pages)
    • Results (2-4 pages)
    • Discussion (6-10 pages)
  • DOWNLOAD: Oral Presentation Rubric
  • DOWNLOAD: Research Option Rubric
• Option #2 (Applied Inquiry Option) ) – SADL 590-02 (Instructor: Dr. Tripps)
• The Applied Inquiry questions focus on various aspects of a referent organization.
• Discuss your decision and focal organization with Dr. Tripps before continuing.
• Determine which quarter you will present your colloquium and then follow the Applied Inquiry Option timeline for that quarter.
• The Applied Inquiry focuses on topical areas specific to the referent organization. The student must answer 4 out of 8 questions specific to the topics below (see specific requirements in pdf file). The answer to each question will result in an 8-16 page paper.
  • Research and evaluation
  • Management – mission, goals, and values
  • Management – organizational structure, effectiveness & efficiency
  • Sociology of sport
  • Consumer behavior & marketing
  • Risk management and Law
  • Business/finance
  • Sponsorship & marketing
• Click here for more detailed information about this option.  
  • Applied Inquiry Oral presentation Example
  • Colloquium Abstract Examples
• DOWNLOAD: Oral Presentation Rubric
• DOWNLOAD: Applied Inquiry Option - Social Issues Rubric.pdf
• DOWNLOAD: Applied Inquiry Option - Research and Evaluation Rubric.pdf
• DOWNLOAD: Applied Inquiry Option - Mission Statement Rubric.pdf
• DOWNLOAD: Applied Inquiry Option - Organizational Structure Rubric.pdf
• DOWNLOAD: Applied Inquiry Option - Sponsorship Rubric.pdf
• DOWNLOAD: Applied Inquiry Option - Risk Management Rubric.pdf
• DOWNLOAD: Applied Inquiry Option - Non-profit vs For-profit Rubric.pdf
• DOWNLOAD: Applied Inquiry Option - Consumer Behavior Rubric.pdf

Approval Process

• For the Research Project Option – discuss your decision with Dr. Trail
• For the Applied Inquiry Option – discuss your decision and focal organization with Dr. Tripps

Course Information

Section 01 (Research Option)

• This section focuses on developing the understanding of how to use research and statistics to solve problems for entities or organizations. Specifically, students will learn how to identify a problem, analyze the situation, gather relevant information, interpret the information, and propose a solution. The course serves as the requisite foundation for a culminating activity via a manuscript and oral presentation to invited faculty, students and practitioners.
• Prerequisites: This section is open to graduate students pursuing a Master in Sport Administration & Leadership and must be taken during the Spring Quarter of the student’s first year.
• After completion of this section, students will then be required to complete their Research Option paper by the due dates on the Research Option timeline. However, they will not need to be registered for any additional credits after taking this section.
• DOWNLOAD: Deadlines for Research Option
• DOWNLOAD: Syllabus for Research Option
• DOWNLOAD: Example of Prospectus
• DOWNLOAD: Example of Outline
• DOWNLOAD: Example of Proposal in Outline
• DOWNLOAD: Example of Proposal
• DOWNLOAD: IRB Process
• DOWNLOAD: Example of Paper

To view current and past research topics, click here

Section 02 (Applied Inquiry Option)

• This section focuses on developing the understanding of how to use research to analyze potential organizational problems and produce probable solutions for the entity or organization. Specifically, students will learn how to identify a problem, analyze the situation, gather relevant information, interpret the information, and propose a solution. The course serves as the requisite foundation for a culminating activity via four papers and an oral presentation to invited faculty, students and practitioners.
• Prerequisites: This section is open to graduate students pursuing a Master in Sport Administration & Leadership who have taken at least 30 credits in the degree program. This section must be taken during the quarter that the student will present the colloquium.
• DOWNLOAD: Deadlines for Applied Inquiry Option
• DOWNLOAD: Applied Inquiry Option description and questions
• DOWNLOAD: Example of Outline for Applied Inquiry papers

Advisor Assignment

• After you have been approved for whichever option you have chosen, you may ask one of the following people to be your advisor. However, they may decline because they either already have too many advisees or they do not have the expertise to help you in the area in which you would like to focus your project.
  • Galen Trail, trailg@seattleu.edu
  • Dan G. Tripps, trippsd@seattle.edu
  • Jason Capps, cappsj@seattleu.edu
  • Matt Newman, newmanm@seattleu.edu

Course Purpose

The purpose of the projects in this course is to enable the students to:

• Demonstrate the ability to empirically study sport from a liberal arts perspective
• Approach projects from an academic point of view
• Learn a research process which will be applicable to future employment
• Be able to display skills and knowledge as an expert in sport administration and leadership
• Be guided by the mission of Seattle University and thus focus on making sport more humane and just

Further Information

Detailed information about each Option is available in the associated pdf files. Those files include specific directions, dates and deadlines, grading rubrics, and grading process information.