| Effective Term: | 2025/05 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Health and Wellbeing |
| Unit Title: | Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology |
| Unit ID: | PSYCB1003 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | Nil |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 090701 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
Students will study research methods and statisical techniques used in psychology. Topics will include measurement, experimental designs, quasi-experimental designs, survey designs, sample theory, observational research, applied research, report writing and research ethics. Applications of various statistical tests including t tests, correlation, and some non-parametric tests will be explored. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: No |
| Supplementary Assessment:Yes |
| Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | |  | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | | | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Describe, explain, and evaluate the main methods of psychological research |
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| K2. | Comprehend principles of psychological measurement and sampling |
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| K3. | Describe threats to validity and reliabilty in research design |
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| K4. | Identify ethical issues in psychological research |
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| K5. | Acquire a basic understanding of commonly used statistics in psychology research |
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| K6. | Identify the appropriate statistical and analytical techniques for particular research methods and designs and comprehend their outcomes |
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| K7. | Develop a critical awareness of the limitations of psychological research |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Employ simple observation and measurement techniques |
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| S2. | Evaluate a psychological questionnaire |
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| S3. | Utilise statistical software packages to perform selected statistical tests and techniques |
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| S4. | Report research in accordance with the conventions that guide format and content |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Critically evaluate psychological research |
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| A2. | Prepare a report using APA conventions |
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| A3. | Identify and conduct the correct analysis using the relevant software |
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| Unit Content: |
•Quantitative and qualitative approaches to psychological research: experimental, quasi-experimental, questionnaire, observational, naturalistic
•Practical and ethical issues pertaining to the different research methods
•Consideration of the reliability and validity of the outcomes of different methods
•Application of parametric and non-parametric statistical techniques to psychological research: descriptive statistics, correlation, and tests of difference (e.g., t tests) |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.
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| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | | Level | FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal | Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, inter-act and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display skills in-person and/or online in: • Using effective verbal and non-verbal communication • Listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Showing empathy for others • Negotiating and demonstrating conflict resolution skills • Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams. | N/A - Not Applicable | FEDTASK 2
Leadership | Students will demonstrate the ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others. Students will be required to display skills in: • Creating a collegial environment • Showing self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect • Inspiring and convincing others • Making informed decisions • Displaying initiative | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically • Evaluating ideas, concepts and information • Considering alternative perspectives to refine ideas • Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving. | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy | Students will demonstrate the ability to work fluently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Finding, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information • Collating, managing, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media • Contributing actively to digital teams and working groups • Participating in and benefiting from digital learning opportunities. | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 5
Sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students will demonstrate the ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in global economic environmental and societal contexts • Committing to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen • Evaluating ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Embracing lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others • Implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life. | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor |
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| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K3, K5, K6, K7, S1, S3, S4, A1, A2, A3 | Laboratory Report: Read and understand background research and show awareness of the appropriate content in the various sections of a research report. | Written report | 40-60 | | 2. | K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, S2, A3 | Test knowledge of content and application of psychological research methods | Online quizzes and/or tests | 40-60 |
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