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Course Outline

PSY707 Research Project 1

Course Coordinator:Lee Kannis-Dymand (lkannisd@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Psychology

2024Semester 2

Thompson Institute

 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

The USC postgraduate psychology programs are committed to maintaining the primacy of public safety in the delivery of the program within the education and placement environments. This course involves the first stage of the research project and thesis component of the Master of Psychology (Clinical) degree. Working with a research supervisor, you will complete a literature review, identify suitable research question/s, design a research study, and, if necessary, submit the research proposal to the Human Research Ethics Committee for approval.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Independent Study/Research – Total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks 150hrs Week 1 Once Only

Course Topics

During this course you will:

  • select a research topic in collaboration with the course coordinator 
  • commence research supervision
  • complete an outline of your research proposal 
  • complete and submit your ethics applciation
  • give a brief presentation of your reseach ideas and progress

What level is this course?

700 Level (Specialised)

Demonstrating a specialised body of knowledge and set of skills for professional practice or further learning. Advanced application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

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 Present psychological evidence to support proposed study. Empowered 
3.8, 3.16, 3.17
2 Design a psychological research study on recent developments in the discipline or professional practice. Empowered 
3.8, 3.16, 3.17
3 Show awareness of potential ethical issues involved in psychological research and understanding of and practice in using the APS Code of Ethics and its accompanying Guidelines, and other relevant sources, to resolve ethical questions Empowered
Ethical 
3.8, 3.16, 3.17
4 Communicate research and justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, findings and conclusions. Empowered 
3.8, 3.16, 3.17

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Australian Psychology Accreditation Council
3.8 Taking into account the broad diversity of clients, & consistent with current relevant legal frameworks, mental health practice standards, occupational settings & codes of ethical practice, graduates apply psychological knowledge to competently and ethically interpret and communicate findings in oral and written formats, including formal psychological reports, using culturally appropriate language.
3.16 Taking into account the broad diversity of clients, & consistent with current relevant legal frameworks, mental health practice standards, occupational settings & codes of ethical practice, graduates apply psychological knowledge to competently and ethically critically evaluate contemporary scientific literature to inform practice.
3.17 Taking into account the broad diversity of clients, & consistent with current relevant legal frameworks, mental health practice standards, occupational settings & codes of ethical practice, graduates apply psychological knowledge to competently and ethically investigate a substantive individual research question relevant to the discipline of 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

Enrolled in AR703.

Co-requisites

PSY704

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Limited Grading (PNP)

Pass (PU), Fail (UF). All assessment tasks are required to be passed for successful completion of the course.

Details of early feedback on progress

weekly supervision meetings which constitutes an ongoing formative appraisal of the students performance.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Oral Individual 
'3 minute thesis' style presentation
 Refer to Format In Class
All 2 Written Piece Individual 
2500 words (approx)
 Week 12 To Supervisor
All 3 Report Individual 
As set by USC HREC and other permission bodies
 Week 12 To Supervisor
All - Assessment Task 1:Oral presentation with PowerPoint slide
Goal: 
The oral presentation will demonstrate your ability to articulate the theoretical framework, research questions and research and statistical methods selected.
Product: Oral
Format: 
3 minute oral presentation which will be scheduled towards the end of the semester.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Formulation of research questions and specific hypotheses that will be tested as part of the dissertation research
 1 2
2 
Knowledge of research design that will be used and how the design that has been selected might be applied to the proposed research topic
 2 3 4
3 
Understanding the proposed clinical research sample (and control group, if applicable), including specific details of how the sample will be obtained
 2 3 4
4 
Knowledge of appropriate methods of data collection, recording and scoring
 2 4
5 
Knowledge of appropriate methods of data analysis, including relevant statistical methods available through statistical packages such as SPSS
 2 4
6 
Knowledge of human research ethics and consideration of ethical issues relating to the proposed research and how the welfare of research participants will be respected and protected. A realistic time frame is briefly presented
 3
All - Assessment Task 2:Detailed dissertation proposal
Goal: 
For you to produce a research design proposal for your dissertation topic that will be used in PSY753.
Product: Written Piece
Format: 
The proposal should be around 2500 words in length.  

The dissertation proposal shall include the following sections: 

A review of the relevant research literature; 

Formulated research questions and specific hypotheses that will be tested as part of the dissertation research; 

The research design that will be used; 

The proposed research sample, including specific details of how the sample will be obtained; and 

Consideration of ethical issues relating to the proposed research and how the welfare of research participants will be respected and protected.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Understanding of the research question and issues relating to it
 1 2
2 
Knowledge of research design and how the design that has been selected might be applied to the proposed research topic
 1 2
3 
Knowledge of appropriate methods of data collection, recording and scoring
 2 3
4 
Knowledge of appropriate methods of data analysis, including relevant statistical methods available through statistical packages such as SPSS
 2 3
5 
Consideration of ethical issues relating to the proposed research and how the welfare of research participants will be respected and protected.
 3
6 
Statement of a realistic timeframe for completing the research
 2
All - Assessment Task 3:HREC and other permissions
Goal: 
You are expected to meet the requirements of the relevant University ethics committee and to receive approval for the proposed research before the research can proceed.   

You are also expected to obtain such other permissions as are required to conduct the research. It is your responsibility to prepare applications for permission to conduct the research as well as for ethical clearance.
Product: Report
Format: 
Via the online Human Research Ethics Application (HREA) form, and copied to USC Ethics via email.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Understanding of the research question and issues relating to requirements of HREC and other permission bodies
 3
2 
Formulation of research questions and specific hypotheses that will be tested as part of the dissertation research
 1 2
3 
Knowledge of research design that will be used and how the design that has been selected might be applied to the proposed research topic
 1 2
4 
Understanding the proposed clinical research sample (and control group, if applicable), including specific details of how the sample will be obtained
 2
5 
Knowledge of appropriate methods of data collection, recording, and analysis.
 2 3
6 
Completion of HREC forms and other permission body forms to the satisfaction/approval of those bodies
 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

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Information regarding prescribed texts or other associated resources will be made available on the CANVAS site prior to commencement of study.

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

Limited Graded Course:

This course will be graded as Pass in a Limited Grade Course (PU) or Fail in a Limited Grade Course (UF) as per clause 4.1.3 and 4.1.4 of the Grades and Grade Point Average (GPA) - Institutional Operating Policy of the USC.

In a course eligible to use Limited Grades, all assessment items in that course are marked on a Pass/Fail basis and all assessment tasks are required to be passed for a student to successfully complete the course. Supplementary assessment is not available in courses using Limited Grades.

Assessment: Submission penalties

You must contact your Course Coordinator and provide the required documentation if you require an extension or alternate assessment.

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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