HPS201 - Psychology Research Methods (Introductory)

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:

Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Community Based Delivery (CBD)*, Warrnambool, Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online
Trimester 3: Online

Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 2: Ian Fuelscher
Trimester 3: Ian Fuelscher
Previously:Research Methods in Psychology A
Prerequisite:

Any two of HPS111, HPS121, HPS104 and HPS105

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: HPS671, HPS771
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

1 x 1 hour online lecture per week 
1 x 2 hour on-campus seminar per week

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

1 x 1 hour online lecture per week
1 x 2 hour online seminar per week

Note:

*National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute students only.

Drop-in Q&A online sessions will be scheduled throughout the trimester; see the unit cloud site for more details. 

Content

This unit will introduce students to a variety of parametric univariate statistics commonly used in psychology. The focus is on both a conceptual and analytical understanding, rather than strict computational problem solving. The unit progresses from a discussion of descriptive statistics and the foundation of hypothesis testing to the introduction of specific statistical tests such as the t-test, chi-square, Analysis of Variance, Correlation and Regression. An important focus of the unit is on understanding the logic underlying the various statistical analyses covered. The unit also emphasises links between specific statistical analyses and common study designs used in psychology. Students will be taught to analyse data primarily through definitional formulae, as well as a computer-based statistical package.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes

ULO1

Understand the purpose of statistical analysis in Psychology.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

ULO2

Understand the logic and calculation underlying various methods of statistical analysis.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO3

Apply statistical knowledge to real-world research questions.

GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO4

Determine the appropriate method of analysis depending on the data and the research question to be answered.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO5

Interpret output from analyses using a statistical software program.

GLO3: Digital literacy

ULO6

Construct the results section of a research report for Psychology.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO6: Self-management

Assessment

Trimester 2 and Trimester 3:
Assessment description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1: Short answer assignment 2000 words 50%
  • Refer to unit site
Assessment 2: Research Design Challenge 1000 words 30%
  • Week 11
Assessment 3: End-of-Unit Assessment 90 minutes 20%
  • End-of-unit assessment period

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: HPS201 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

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