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Course Outline

PSY207 Research Methods and Analysis 2

Course Coordinator:Kay Pozzebon (kpozzebo@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Psychology

2024Semester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course introduces you to research methodologies used in psychological research. You will be introduced to a range of experimental, quasi-experimental and naturalistic research methods, including their strengths and weaknesses. Implications for the selection of data analysis techniques will be explored. You will learn to perform statistical analysis of psychological data including the use of SPSS to conduct these analyses. You will gain an understanding of ethical standards and procedures that apply when conducting research with humans and animals.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Online learning materials and activities 1hr Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Face-to-face workshops, on campus, in computer lab 2hrs Week 1 13 times

Course Topics

This course will cover the following topic areas:

  • ethics in research
  • research methods
  • descriptive statistics
  • inferential statistics

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... Professional Standard Mapping * Australian Psychology Accreditation Council
1 Explain and distinguish between a variety of research methods used in psychological research. Knowledgeable
Empowered 
1.1.12, 1.3, 1.6
2 Describe the ethical principles and practices employed in psychological research. Ethical 
1.1.12, 1.4
3 Explain the concepts of levels of measurement, sampling, and reliability and validity including how they apply to psychological research. Knowledgeable 
1.1.12
4 Explain and interpret the key features and concepts of descriptive and inferential statistics. Knowledgeable 
1.1.12, 1.3
5 Apply basic functions and applications of the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). Knowledgeable
Engaged 
1.1.12
6 Communicate information appropriately for the psychology discipline. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker 
1.3

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Australian Psychology Accreditation Council
1.1.12 Graduates will be able to comprehend and apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge of psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach, including research methods and statistics
1.3 Graduates will be able to analyse and critique theory and research in the discipline of psychology and communicate these in written and oral formats.
1.4 Graduates will be able to demonstrate an understanding of appropriate values and ethics in psychology.
1.6 Graduates will be able to demonstrate self-directed pursuit of scholarly inquiry in psychology.

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

(PSY100 and PSY104) or (PSY100 and SCI110 and enrolled in an extended Psychology minor in AE304) or (PSY100 and PSY101 if enrolled in AR374 or AR302 or AR314 or AR364) or (PSY100 and PSY101 if enrolled in AR405 prior to 2023)

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Formative feedback on academic progress is provided to students through monitoring performance on activities undertaken in workshops.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Report Individual 40% 
1,500 words
 Week 6 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Report Individual 40% 
1,000 words
 Week 13 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Examination - Centrally Scheduled Individual 20% 
1 hour
 Exam Period Exam Venue
All - Assessment Task 1:Introduction of a Report and Ethics
Goal: 
To communicate your understanding of psychological research and write an Introduction of a Psychology Research Report, with consideration of ethics of the proposed study.
Product: Report
Format: 
Individual, written report.

A more detailed outline of the requirements of this assessment will be provided online in Week 1.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Appropriate psychology topic defined and situated within relevant context.
 1
2 
Description and application of relevant theory.
 1
3 
Summarise and critical review of the relevant literature.
 1 3
4 
Development of appropriate rationale, aim, and hypothesis.
 1 3
5 
Discussion of contemporary research in context of current ethics code.
 2
6 
Correct and appropriate writing and referencing for psychology.
 6
All - Assessment Task 2:Results of a Report
Goal: 
To communicate your understanding of psychological research and to correctly conduct and interpret the inferential analyses and write the Results of a Psychology Research Report.
Product: Report
Format: 
Individual, written report.

You will be required to write the Results and part of the Discussion of a Psychology Research Report.

A more detailed outline of the requirements of this assessment will be provided online in Week 1.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstrated explanation of data analyses.
 1 4 5 6
2 
Appropriate interpretation of the results.
 1 4
3 
Correct and appropriate writing and referencing for psychology.
 6
All - Assessment Task 3:End of Semester Examination
Goal: 
To assess your knowledge of the course content.
Product: Examination - Centrally Scheduled
Format: 
The final examination will contain multiple choice and short answer questions.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Accuracy and correctness of responses.
 1 2 3 4

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Gravetter, Wallnau, Forzano, and Witnauer 2021 Essentials of Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences n/a Cengage
Required Bennet, Heritage, and Allen 2023 SPSS Statistics: A Practical Guide n/a Cengage

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Additional assessment requirements
If standard graded course, add:                                                                                                                                                      

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate (the rates are cumulative):

5% (of the assessment task’s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task
10% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the third day
20% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task
A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task.
Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late.

To request an extension, you must contact your Course Coordinator and supply the required documentation to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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