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Unit description
Introduces the general concepts, ethics, and methodology of scientific research as it applies to the discipline of psychology. Topics include methods of observation, measurement, and experimentation used in psychology and the effective use of information resources. Students will engage in oral and written presentation of the material covered.
Unit content
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The scientific method
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Ethics in psychology (research and professional issues)
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Descriptive methods
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Archival research
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Experimental methods
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Complex designs
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Applied research
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Single case and small 'n' research
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Quasi-experimental designs
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Analysis and reporting of research
Learning outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.
Learning outcomes and graduate attributes
GA1: Intellectual rigour,
GA2: Creativity,
GA3: Ethical practice,
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline,
GA5: Lifelong learning,
GA6: Communication and social skills,
GA7: Cultural competence| On completion of this unit, students should be able to: | GA1 | GA2 | GA3 | GA4 | GA5 | GA6 | GA7 |
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| 1 | analyse the nature of the term 'science' from several different perspectives and explain the scientific features of psychology | Intellectual rigour | | | Knowledge of a discipline | | | |
| 2 | explain the nature of hypotheses and theories | Intellectual rigour | | | Knowledge of a discipline | | | |
| 3 | describe the nature and techniques of a range of research methodologies and assess the appropriateness of each to individual research questions | | | | Knowledge of a discipline | | | |
| 4 | identify and describe basic descriptive statistics and statistical concepts (such as measures of central tendency, standard deviation, statistical significance) | Intellectual rigour | | | Knowledge of a discipline | | | |
| 5 | interpret the nature and relative importance of scholarly articles, journals, and other forms of publication | | | | Knowledge of a discipline | | Communication and social skills | |
| 6 | demonstrate the ability to synthesise information | | | | | | Communication and social skills | |
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- analyse the nature of the term 'science' from several different perspectives and explain the scientific features of psychology
- GA1:
Intellectual rigour
- GA4:
Knowledge of a discipline
- explain the nature of hypotheses and theories
- GA1:
Intellectual rigour
- GA4:
Knowledge of a discipline
- describe the nature and techniques of a range of research methodologies and assess the appropriateness of each to individual research questions
- GA4:
Knowledge of a discipline
- identify and describe basic descriptive statistics and statistical concepts (such as measures of central tendency, standard deviation, statistical significance)
- GA1:
Intellectual rigour
- GA4:
Knowledge of a discipline
- interpret the nature and relative importance of scholarly articles, journals, and other forms of publication
- GA4:
Knowledge of a discipline
- GA6:
Communication and social skills
- demonstrate the ability to synthesise information
- GA6:
Communication and social skills
Prescribed texts
Session 2
- Prescribed text information is not currently available.
Prescribed texts may change in future study periods.