| Effective Term: | 2027/05 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Health and Wellbeing |
| Unit Title: | Psychological Research in Practice |
| Unit ID: | PSYCB2108 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | Nil |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 090701 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
PSYCB2108 Psychological Research in Practice develops students’ ability to critically evaluate, design, and communicate psychological research. Building on foundational knowledge of research methods, the unit examines how psychological evidence is generated, interpreted, and applied to address real-world questions and issues. Students explore qualitative and quantitative research approaches, with an emphasis on selecting and justifying appropriate methodologies for different research contexts. The unit examines principles of research design, evidence evaluation, ethics, cultural responsiveness, reflexive practice, and the responsible use of digital technologies in psychological research. Students also develop skills in analysing and interpreting qualitative and quantitative evidence, synthesising findings from multiple sources, and communicating research to academic, professional, and community audiences. Through applied learning activities, students engage with contemporary psychological issues and consider how research can inform understanding, decision-making, and practice. Attention is given to ethical and culturally responsive approaches to research. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: | |
| 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: |
| Skills: |
| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| Other outcomes: |
| O1. | Critically evaluate psychological research, theory, and evidence using methodological, ethical, cultural, and scientific principles. |
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| O2. | Design and justify methodologically, ethically, and culturally appropriate qualitative and quantitative research approaches for psychological research questions and contexts. |
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| O3. | Apply principles of ethics, cultural responsiveness, reflexive practice, and responsible digital technology use throughout the research process. |
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| O4. | Analyse, interpret and synthesise qualitative and quantitative evidence to inform evidence-based conclusions and recommendations. |
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| O5. | Communicate psychological research designs and findings using appropriate academic and professional conventions for diverse audiences. |
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| Unit Content: |
Topics may include: - Research design, evidence evaluation, qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
- Ethics, cultural responsiveness, reflexive practice, and responsible use of digital technologies.
- Data interpretation, evidence synthesis, and the communication and application of psychological research.
- Critical evaluation of research.
- Designing research projects.
- Communicating evidence to academic, professional, and community audiences.
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| 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 at this level will demonstrate an advanced ability in a range of contexts to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display high level skills in-person and/or online in: • Using and demonstrating a high level of verbal and non-verbal communication • Demonstrating a mastery of listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Demonstrating and showing empathy for others • High order skills in negotiating and conflict resolution skills\\ • Demonstrating mastery of working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 2
Leadership | Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery in professional skills and behaviours in leading others. • Creating and sustaining a collegial environment • Demonstrating a high level of self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect and justify decisions • Inspiring and initiating opportunities to lead others • Making informed professional decisions • Demonstrating initiative in new professional situations. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students at this level will demonstrate high level skills in working in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically to generate and consider complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level • Analysing complex and abstract ideas, concepts and information • Communicate alternative perspectives to justify complex ideas • Demonstrate a mastery of challenging conventional thinking to clarify complex concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving to new situations for further learning. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy | Students at this level will demonstrate the ability to work competently across a wide range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Mastering, exploring, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information professionally • Collating, managing complex data, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding professionally to messages in a range of professional digital media • Contributing competently and professionally to digital teams and working groups • Participating at a high level in digital learning opportunities. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 5
sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery of considering and assessing the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting professional ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Demonstrate informed judgment making that considers the impact of devising complex solutions in ambiguous global economic environmental and societal contexts • Professionally committing to the promulgation of social responsibility • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Communicating lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to the diverse professional others • Generating, leading and implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines |
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| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | Professional Standards |
| 1. |
1, 3, 4 |
Assessment of foundational concepts, methods, and principles relating to psychological research, evidence evaluation, and responsible research practice. |
Invigilated Test/s |
30-40% |
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| 2. |
1, 3, 5 |
Students analyse a qualitative dataset on a psychological issue, identify key themes, and communicate findings and recommendations to a community or professional audience. Students also reflect on their role in the research process |
Written Task |
20-30% |
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| 3. |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
Students design and justify a psychological research project that addresses a community issue. Students present a research pitch and submit a proposal outlining the research design, methodology, ethics, and potential community impact. |
Research proposal and/or presentation |
30-45% |
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