Level: 400 level core
Credit points: 8
Prerequisites: (Part-Time) PSY4252: Applied Research Methods: Analysing and Interpreting Data

Corequisites:    (Full-Time) PSY4252: Applied Research Methods: Analysing and Interpreting Data

Unit Description:

In this unit, students work collaboratively and individually with a research supervisor to conduct an individual research project. Students, under the guidance of their supervisor and the Unit Coordinator, students will explore how specific concepts regarding to research design and research ethics relate to their individual projects. This unit introduces students to the competencies necessary to critically analyse existing psychological research and to develop research that meets ethical and methodological standards. Throughout this unit, students will conduct a literature search using available databases and prepare an individual project proposal with a budget. Students will also use their understanding of research ethics to complete and where required submit (under guidance) an ethics application to the ACAP Human Research Ethics Committee.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit the student should be able to:

1. Work collaboratively to critically evaluate and communicate psychological research questions
2. Critically analyse current trends and issues in psychological research
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of epistemology and ontologies in the construction of knowledge
4. Evaluate key issues in the safe and ethical conduct of culturally responsive research
5. Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate research methodologies and select an appropriate approach to address a psychological research question
6. Demonstrate advanced understanding of ethical issues associated with the conduct of an independent research project and how they may be effectively managed
7. Provide critical feedback on research in a collaborative, and culturally responsive manner

Level: 400 level core
Credit points: 8

Unit Description:

This unit reviews quantitative and qualitative research methods and concepts in psychological research. It considers research methodology and data analysis at an advanced level to prepare students for their independent research project in the BPsychSci(Hons) degree. By completing this unit, students will understand advanced analytical approaches used in psychological research, and will be able to evaluate, select, and execute appropriate analytical techniques using real-life research data. Students will also gain skills in data communication and interpretation, and will prepare a Results section in accordance with approved scientific conventions.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of concepts and key considerations relevant to research design and analysis in psychology
2. Apply theory and logic to making appropriate decisions in data management, data analysis, and data interpretation
3. Evaluate, select, and execute complete and appropriate data analyses to assess real-world research questions
4. Synthesise, interpret, and communicate research results in accordance with approved conventions in psychology

Level: 400 level core
Credit points: 8
Prerequisites: PSY4222 Research Project 1, PSY4252: Applied Research Methods: Analysing and Interpreting Data

Unit Description:

Students will build on the progress of their project from PSY4222 (pre-requisite for this unit) to launch their independent research projects, collect and begin to analyse data, and meet the requirements by obtaining sufficient data. Students will also conduct and write a literature review on their topic of study. By completing this unit, students will be able to perform data analyses suitable for independent psychological research projects, and critically evaluate research findings as relevant to theoretical/empirical literature.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit the student should be able to:

1. Engage collaboratively and communicate responsibly with peers in reviewing, analysing, and conducting research
2. Work autonomously to plan and compose a literature review relevant to an independent research project
3. Undertake data collection and meet the requirements by having sufficient data collected
4. Evaluate and execute data analyses suitable for quantitative and/or qualitative research
5. Interpret and report research results consistent with APA style
6. Critically analyse research findings as relevant to theoretical and empirical literature
7. Synthesise and communicate implications of research findings at micro, meso, and macro levels, in a culturally responsive manner

Level: 400 level core
Credit points: 8

Unit Description:

This unit introduces students to the competencies required to apply psychological knowledge to day to day life, the workplace and professional practice. The diversity of specialisations in psychology will be explored in the context of key aspects that identify the profession of psychology. This includes knowledge of overarching concepts in practice, for example the scientist practitioner model as it applies to applied psychology, reflective practice, ethical decision making, cultural competence and interpersonal and interprofessional communication.

This unit will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the steps involved in conducting psychological assessment and interventions in a range of settings. It will cover the assessment and intervention of children and adults, the importance of obtaining information from a range of sources including interview and formal assessment, the use of test manuals, cultural issues in assessment and intervention, working with diverse populations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and report writing. The unit also covers key ethical issues that psychologists encounter and provides a framework for addressing these. Through practical work, students will become familiar with selected tests and intervention that are frequently used by psychologists.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit the student should be able to:

1. Apply and reflect culturally responsive interpersonal communication and interview skills relevant to the application of psychology.
2. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and reflection of psychometric theory and principles and develop and implement culturally responsive and ethical psychological test instruments
3. Describe, analyse and evaluate the principles of basic psychological intervention strategies and how they may be applied in a range of contexts and diverse populations
4. Assess and translate the application of basic psychological intervention strategies to personal and professional resilience
5. Demonstrate and reflect interprofessional learning and critically evaluate policy, legislation, and codes of practice relevant to the profession of psychology
6. Knowledge and application of culturally reflective skills relevant to regional, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities.

Level: 400 level core
Credit points: 8
Prerequisites: PSY4222 Research Project 1, PSY4252: Applied Research Methods: Analysing and Interpreting Data

Unit Description:

In this unit, students work collaboratively and individually with a research supervisor to conduct an individual research project. Students, under the guidance of their supervisor and the Unit Coordinator, will build on the progress of their project from PSY4222 and PSY4252 (prerequisites for this unit) to analyse their research data and write up their project in the form of a journal manuscript. Students will also give a conference presentation within the college to disseminate their research to their peers and the wider scientific community. Further, this unit introduces students to the competencies necessary to report and disseminate findings from psychological research. By completing this unit, students will be able to communicate findings generated from independent research across multiple modalities and in a manner that is suitable for different stakeholders.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of psychology and the scientific method via the completion of an independent research project.
2. Prepare a high-quality journal-article style manuscript of an independent research project
3. Describe and differentiate the epistemological and ontological bases of common research approaches in psychology.
4. Present a clear and coherent summary of independent research findings in a conference-style setting.
5. Demonstrate advanced ability to critically analyse and communicate research findings in a safe and culturally responsive manner, also considering Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities.
6. Demonstrate autonomy and well-developed judgement in the conduct of an independent research project.
7. Demonstrate advanced knowledge regarding the dissemination of psychological research.
8. Articulate issues arising in the publication and dissemination of research.
9. Translate and transmit findings from psychological research into a format suitable for consumers.

Level: 400 level core
Credit points: 8

Unit Description:

This unit is one of the coursework units in fourth year psychology for students in the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours). This unit examines recent advances in the discipline of psychology, in particular the theoretical and empirical bases underpinning evidence-based approaches to psychological intervention and the influence of social, historical, professional, and cultural contexts on the science and practice of psychology. The unit is divided into broad areas of psychological endorsement as specified by the APS. These broad areas might change from one trimester to the next, but could broadly include topics on Clinical, Educational and Developmental, Forensic, Organisational, and Health Psychology.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit the student should be able to:

1. Describe at an advanced level the theoretical and empirical bases underpinning evidence-based approaches to psychological interventions
2. Describe at an advanced level the theoretical and empirical bases underpinning at least two applied areas of professional psychology practice, in addition to those associated with psychological interventions
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the influence of social, historical, professional, and cultural contexts, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities, on the science and practice of psychology
4. Demonstrate skills in critically evaluating research findings and integrating findings from different disciplinary areas in oral and written forms