Overview
This unit will develop your critical understanding, analysis, communication and application of the principles of integrity in the sporting industry. The content of the unit will help you to master the underpinning reasoning of current integrity policies in order to promote best practice in sport. A close alignment to the current National Integrity Framework pillars and policies will equip you with advanced knowledge and skills aligned to key trends and issues in the areas of anti-doping, child safety, competition manipulation, anti-discrimination, and member protection.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
- Evaluate and contextualise the National Integrity Framework and its underpinning policies
- Critically review and analyse sport integrity issues
- Communicate best practice approaches to respond to sport integrity issues.
n/a
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Case Study - 40% | |||
| 2 - Reflective Practice Assignment - 60% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | |||
| 2 - Communication | |||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | |||
| 4 - Research | |||
| 5 - Self-management | |||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | |||
| 7 - Leadership | |||
| 8 - First Nations Knowledges | |||
| 9 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Webcam and headset for on-line sessions
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
n.elsworthy@cqu.edu.au
Week 1: Introduction to Sport Integrity
Begin Date: 09 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Sport Integrity Organisations
Integrity Frameworks and Processes
Chapter
Kihl, L. A. (2022). Development of a national sport integrity system. Sport Management Review, 26(1), 24–47. https://doi.org/10.1080/14413523.2022.2048548
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2: Safeguarding Children and Young People
Begin Date: 16 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Understanding Grooming
Safeguarding in Sport Continuous Improvement Program for Children and Young People
Chapter
Tuakli-Wosornu et al. (2023). The journey to reporting child protection violations in sport: Stakeholder perspectives. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 907247. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.907247
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3: Member Protection
Begin Date: 23 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Violence and Behavioural Misconduct
Prohibited Conduct
Connecting Member Protection to Safeguarding Children and Young People
Chapter
Garrod, O., & Rhind, D. (2024). You do not suddenly become safe on your 18 th birthday: managing safeguarding cases involving adult athletes in the United Kingdom. Sport Management Review, 27(3), 344–364. https://doi.org/10.1080/14413523.2023.2286005
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4: Cyberbullying and Integrity
Begin Date: 30 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Cybersecurity
Cyberbullying
Chapter
Bongiovanni et al. (2024). Protecting the play: An integrative review of cybersecurity in and for sports events. Computers & Security, 146, Article 104064. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cose.2024.104064
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5: Mental Health and Wellbeing and Trauma-Informed Responses
Begin Date: 06 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Mental health literacy
Mental health support and response frameworks
Mental health promotion in sport
Chapter
Vella et al. (2025). Development of Australian mental health guidelines for community sport. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 59(9), 659–666. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108749
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6: Anti-Doping
Begin Date: 13 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Human Doping vs. Animal Doping – What is the Difference?
Anti-Doping for Humans
What is Clean Sport?
Chapter
Boardley et al. (2025). Addressing the unique needs for anti-doping and clean-sport education of para-athletes and athlete-support personnel: An international Delphi study. Drugs : Education, Prevention & Policy, 32(1), 105–120. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2024.2305374
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 20 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7: Improper Use of Illicit Drugs and Medicines in Sport
Begin Date: 27 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Introduction to Illegal Drugs
Medications
Supplements
Injections
Employment and Volunteer Obligations
Chapter
Wahi et al. (2023). A comprehensive review on current analytical approaches used for the control of drug abuse in sports. Microchemical Journal, 191, Article 108834. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2023.108834
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8: Competition Manipulation, Wagering, and Sport Gambling
Begin Date: 04 May 2026Module/Topic
What is Competition Manipulation
Betting-related competition Manipulation
Non-betting related Competition Manipulation
Regulating Sport Gambling
National Policy on Match-Fixing in Sport
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9: Complaints, Disputes, and Discipline
Begin Date: 11 May 2026Module/Topic
CDDP-SIA Complaint Process
The Complaint Process
Chapter
Tak et al. (2024). Good use, non-use and misuse: safe sport reporting systems in context. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 16(2), 255–270. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2024.2323011
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10: Managing Internal and External Investigations
Begin Date: 18 May 2026Module/Topic
Risk Management, Mitigation, and Investigations
Legal Frameworks and Regulations
Regulatory Bodies and Enforcement Agencies
Formal vs. Informal Investigations
Establishing and Planning an Investigation
The Roles, Responsibilities, and Actions of Stakeholders
Finalising and Post-Investigation Processes
Chapter
Hessert, B. (2020). Cooperation and reporting obligations in sports investigations. The International Sports Law Journal, 20(3–4), 145–156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40318-020-00169-5
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11: Selected Current Issues in Sport Integrity
Begin Date: 25 May 2026Module/Topic
Concussions and Playing Injured
Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Equality
Other Relevant Current Issues
Chapter
Veal, A. J. (2023). Sport and human rights: assessing the performance of nation states in assuring the right to sport participation. European Journal for Sport and Society, 20(2), 140–160. https://doi.org/10.1080/16138171.2022.2032920
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12: Relevant Practice Assessment Seminar and Unit Wrap up
Begin Date: 01 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Student Presentation Seminar
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 08 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 15 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Case Study
At the end of Week 2, students will be provided with written case studies on an integrity related issue in sport. Students will need to answer a series of questions in relation to one (1) of the provided case studies. Each question will require a well-research and argued response. The maximum word limit for each question is 750 words and must include relevant peer-reviewed research to support your responses.
Week 8 Friday (8 May 2026) 11:45 am AEST
Week 10 Friday (22 May 2026)
You will be assessed on the following areas:
- Identification of key issues presented within the case study
- Discussion of the ethical considerations of the case study and examples of how they might be addressed
- Determining an appropriate response or strategy to address the issues within the case study
- Use of scientific literature
- Writing style
A detailed marking rubric will be available on Moodle.
- Evaluate and contextualise the National Integrity Framework and its underpinning policies
- Critically review and analyse sport integrity issues
- Communicate best practice approaches to respond to sport integrity issues.
2 Reflective Practice Assignment
Students will be required to create, and present a 20-minute presentation on a sport integrity complaint scenario. During the Week 11 seminar, students will be provided with a scenario they need to work through in a group. Following this, students will then have one week to investigate the scenario and create a 20-minute presentation that explains:
- A synopsis of the scenario, including details of the complaint of the integrity situation.
- The background research they conducted to become more informed about the integrity foundation of the scenario, including past situations that can be used as precedents to address the scenario.
- How they would use the principles provided in the National Integrity Framework to address the scenario, including who they would get involved (from SIA to the police).
- How they would investigate the allegations provided in the scenario, including how they would collect information and evidence.
- What conclusions can they draw about how they would move forward with addressing the complaint in the scenario?
While students will initially be working on the scenario in small groups during the Week 11 seminar, the 20-minute presentation is an individual task and must be your own work. A presentation schedule will be released prior to the seminar session, and it is expected that students remain in attendance for all student presentation held during the session. There will be ~5 minutes for Q&A following each presentation (time permitting).
Week 12 Wednesday (3 June 2026) 7:00 pm AEST
The presentation will be delivered during the timetabled seminar session in Week 12.
This presentation is designed to evaluate your ability to present information related to the provide scenario. Marks will be awarded based on
- Background information of the situation
- Background research performed to better understand the scenario
- Use of the NIF framework to address the scenario
- Investigation strategies
- Conclusions of the complaint scenario
- Presentation style and adherence to time
- Responses to questions
A detailed marking rubric will be available on Moodle.
No submission method provided.
- Evaluate and contextualise the National Integrity Framework and its underpinning policies
- Critically review and analyse sport integrity issues
- Communicate best practice approaches to respond to sport integrity issues.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
