Overview
This unit will introduce you to the various ways in which psychological theory and research can be applied to everyday life. It aims to equip you with the tools needed for your studies in psychology as well as a variety of career pathways. You will hear from guest speakers that cover specific skills from areas such as health psychology, positive psychology, coaching and counselling. The unit focuses on social innovation, exploring how to develop and implement effective solutions to challenging social and environmental issues in our community. There will also be some practical instruction on essay writing skills and critical thinking.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2020
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student evaluations
The iChange module was too easy and the percentage grade should be reduced
Consider changes to the grading of this assessment.
Feedback from Student evaluations
The instructions for Assessment 4 on the Unit Profile were too detailed.
Simplify the Assessment 4 instructions.
Feedback from Student evaluations
Return the essay feedback (Assessment 4) before exam week.
Given the time needed to give feedback on more than 200 essays, it is recommended to move this assessment deadline forward substantially to facilitate timely return to students. Consideration of the practicality of this will be given for the next iteration.
Feedback from Student evaluations
Concerns about the ordering of Assessment deadlines not corresponding to the Assessment numbering.
Unit Coordinator to consider practicality of re-numbering assignments to reflect order of submission.
- Apply psychological theory and research to a range of research and/or everyday problems
- Demonstrate understanding of social innovation and social change
- Communicate ideas effectively in writing and in adherence with APA style.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | |||
| 2 - Annotated bibliography - 30% | |||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 50% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||
| 5 - Team Work | |||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | |||||||||||
| 2 - Annotated bibliography - 30% | |||||||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 50% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
Critical Thinking About Research: Psychology and Related Fields
- Edition: 2 (2017)
- Authors: Julian Meltzoff and Harris Cooper
- APA Books
- Washington D.C. Washington D.C. , Washington , USA
- ISBN: 978-1-4338-2710-5
- Binding: Paperback
The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
- Edition: 7 (2019)
- Authors: American Psychological Association
- American Psychological Association
- Washington D.C. Washington D.C. , Washington , USA
- ISBN: 978-1-4338-3217-8
- Binding: Paperback
The Study Skills Handbook
- Edition: 4 (2013)
- Authors: Stella Cottrell
- Palgrave
- ISBN: 978-1137289254
- Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
If you prefer to study with a paper copy, they are available at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code). eBooks are available at the publisher's website.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
g.rigney@cqu.edu.au
b.p.smith@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 13 Jul 2020Module/Topic
The psychology of effective studying
Chapter
Refer to Moodle website for required reading material.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 20 Jul 2020Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 27 Jul 2020Module/Topic
Counselling skills 2
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4
Begin Date: 03 Aug 2020Module/Topic
Health psychology
Chapter
Refer to Moodle website for required reading material.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5
Begin Date: 10 Aug 2020Module/Topic
Positive psychology
Chapter
Refer to Moodle website for required reading material.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 17 Aug 2020Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 24 Aug 2020Module/Topic
Effective writing skills for psychology
Chapter
Refer to Moodle website for required reading material.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 31 Aug 2020Module/Topic
Coaching skills
Chapter
Refer to Moodle website for required reading material.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8
Begin Date: 07 Sep 2020Module/Topic
Ethics for everyday life
Chapter
Refer to Moodle website for required reading material.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9
Begin Date: 14 Sep 2020Module/Topic
Professional practice: Pathways in psychology and building your CV
Chapter
Refer to Moodle website for required reading material.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10
Begin Date: 21 Sep 2020Module/Topic
Professional practice: Applying your psychological skills and developing an ePortfolio
Chapter
Refer to Moodle website for required reading material.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11
Begin Date: 28 Sep 2020Module/Topic
Social innovation 1
Chapter
Refer to Moodle website for required reading material.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12
Begin Date: 05 Oct 2020Module/Topic
Social innovation 2
Chapter
Refer to Moodle website for required reading material.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 12 Oct 2020Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 19 Oct 2020Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Online Quiz(zes)
You will complete eight (8) online quizzes assessing lecture content throughout the unit. The online quizzes will be completed via the Moodle website. Each quiz will consist of five (5) multiple-choice questions. Each question is worth half a mark (0.5). The eight (8) quizzes will be available from Week 1 until 9:00 am Monday, Week 13. You may complete these quizzes at any time within this period. You will only be given one opportunity to complete each quiz. The quizzes will not be timed.
The lecture topics that will be assessed through an online quiz are:
- The psychology of effective studying
- Counseling skills
- Health psychology
- Positive psychology
- Coaching skills
- Ethics in everyday life
- Professional practice
- Social innovation
8
Other
Review/Exam Week Monday (12 Oct 2020) 9:00 am AEST
All quizzes to be completed via Moodle by the end date.
Review/Exam Week Monday (12 Oct 2020)
Results will be available immediately after the completion of each quiz.
Half a mark (0.5) will be given for each correct response. Across the 8 quizzes, there are a total of 40 questions, with a maximum score for this assessment task of 20. Each quiz is not timed, but you will only be given one opportunity to complete each quiz.
There is a minimum mark of 50% for this assessment task. That is, to successfully pass this unit you must obtain at least 10/20 for this assessment.
- Demonstrate understanding of social innovation and social change
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Annotated bibliography
In Week 1, on the Moodle website, there will be a list of applied psychological skills that are discussed during lectures in this unit. You will select one (1) of these skills to focus on for both Assessment 2 - Annotated Bibliography, and Assessment 3 - Essay. Note: Both the annotated bibliography and the essay focus must focus on the same topic.
For this assessment, you will be required to complete an annotated bibliography. An annotated bibliography allows you to provide an overview of your topic and will help you to prepare for Assessment 3 - Essay. This task provides you with an opportunity to demonstrate your research skills in locating current and relevant peer-reviewed journal articles to the chosen topic, as well as your APA referencing skills.
You will need to identify five (5) relevant journal articles to your chosen applied psychological skill, provide a full correct reference (in APA 7th style) for each journal article, and then write a brief summary, in your own words, outlining the relevance of each journal article. Each summary should be a maximum of 100 words. The annotated bibliography will be submitted through the Moodle website.
Week 5 Monday (10 Aug 2020) 9:00 am AEST
To be submitted through the Moodle website.
Week 6 Monday (24 Aug 2020)
This assessment will be graded out of 30 marks. Marks will be allocated according to each of the following criteria:
- Selection of five (5) relevant journal articles to the chosen topic (10 marks).
- The summary of each journal article is clear and representative; it is of sufficient length (i.e., adhered to word limit); and is written with correct spelling and grammar (10 marks).
- Correct APA referencing and formatting of the five (5) journal articles (10 marks).
- Apply psychological theory and research to a range of research and/or everyday problems
- Communicate ideas effectively in writing and in adherence with APA style.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Ethical practice
3 Written Assessment
In Week 1, on the Moodle website, there will be a list of applied psychological skills that are discussed during lectures in this unit. You will select one (1) of these skills to focus on for both Assessment 2 - Annotated Bibliography, and Assessment 3 - Essay. Note: Both the annotated bibliography and the essay focus must focus on the same topic.
For this assessment, you will be required to write an essay on your chosen applied psychological skill. This task provides you with an opportunity to demonstrate your critical reading and thinking skills, and your ability to formulate a clear written assessment. The essay should be between 1000-1200 words and include a minimum of ten (10) peer-reviewed journal articles (5 that were covered in your annotated bibliography, and 5 additional articles).
Week 12 Monday (5 Oct 2020) 9:00 am AEST
To be submitted through the Moodle website.
Exam Week Friday (23 Oct 2020)
This assessment will be graded out of 50 marks. The full marking rubric will be provided on the Moodle website.
- Apply psychological theory and research to a range of research and/or everyday problems
- Communicate ideas effectively in writing and in adherence with APA style.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
