HPS781 - Psychology Research Methods (Intermediate)

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Warrnambool, Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online
Trimester 3: Online
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Brittany Patafio
Trimester 3: Eric Koukounas
Previously:Research Methods in Psychology B
Cohort rule:

This unit is at a postgraduate level and students enrolled in undergraduate courses cannot undertake it. Postgraduate students not enrolled in H603 must check with their course adviser before enrolling in the unit.

Prerequisite:

HPS771

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: HPS301
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:

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

Content

This unit provides an advanced treatment of several important techniques required for the conduct of independent research. Topics include: experimental design and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical procedure including planned contrasts, simple effects, interpretation of higher order factorial designs; repeated measures and mixed-mode ANOVA; non-experimental designs, scale construction and surveys; sampling; data screening; and multiple regression. Students will be given experience in the design and conduct of psychological research, analysis of data using a computer-based statistical package, and writing research reports using APA format.

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

ULO1

Identify fundamental issues in study development and implementation, including sampling, design, cross-culturally appropriate research practices, choice of measurement tools and psychometrics.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO6: Self-management
GLO8: Global citizenship

ULO2

Select and conduct appropriate statistical analyses for common research questions and designs.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO6: Self-management

ULO3

Defend conclusions drawn in a lab report from data they analyse.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO6: Self-management

ULO4

Organise a lab report to APA specifications.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO6: Self-management

ULO5

Evaluate the merits of specific study designs, with particular focus on matching the design to one's research question(s).

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO6: Self-management

Assessment

Trimester 1 and Trimester 3:
Assessment description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1: Assignment and critical reflection Assignment: 2000 words and critical reflection: 500 words 40%
  • Week 5
Assessment 2: Skills task 40 short answer questions 40%
  • Week 8
Assessment 3: End-of-Unit Assessment 2 hours 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: HPS781 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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