CQUniversity Unit Profile
PSYC11012 Foundations of Psychological Research
Foundations of Psychological Research
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The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This is an introductory unit designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and values required throughout your studies in psychology and the social sciences. At the end of this unit you will be able to understand, apply and evaluate basic research methods in psychology, including the characteristics of the science of psychology, and describing and evaluating different research methods used by psychologists. You will be able to demonstrate critical thinking skills, which includes sceptical inquiry and the use of the scientific approach to solving problems. You will also demonstrate introductory skills consistent with the application of psychology that involves finding and critically evaluating scientific literature, constructing empirical arguments, generating research questions, conducting ethical research, referencing and formatting in APA style, and preparing research reports.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 1
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

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 1 - 2019

Adelaide
Bundaberg
Cairns
Online
Rockhampton
Townsville

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).

Class and Assessment Overview

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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 15%
2. Critical Review
Weighting: 20%
3. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 15%
4. Report
Weighting: 50%

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.

Previous Student Feedback

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 Have your say

Feedback

Students indicated that they valued the opportunity to learn via 'doing,' that is, by putting what they learnt into practice in their assignments.

Recommendation

The major assessment for this unit is a research report, based on a research project designed and implemented by the students. This assessment task should remain the major assessment of the unit and remain integrated into the weekly content.

Feedback from Have your say

Feedback

The resources and examples provided for the assessments were highly appreciated and useful.

Recommendation

Continue to evaluate and develop resources in relation to APA formatting, critical thinking, and report writing to assist students with the major assessment task, and to provide a foundation for future psychology units.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Describe, apply and evaluate the different research methods used by psychologists
  2. Evaluate the quality of information, including differentiating empirical evidence from speculation
  3. Write a standard research report using American Psychological Association (APA) structure and formatting conventions
  4. Reflect on one’s experiences in order to identify and articulate one’s personal and sociocultural values as well as demonstrate insightful awareness of one’s feelings, motives, and attitudes.


Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 15%
2 - Written Assessment - 15%
3 - Critical Review - 20%
4 - Report - 50%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
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 - 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
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 15%
2 - Written Assessment - 15%
3 - Critical Review - 20%
4 - Report - 50%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA)

Edition: 6th
American Psychological Association
ISBN: 1433805618
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

This book will be used through your entire degree. Copies can be purchased from the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Zoom account (Free)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Bradley Smith Unit Coordinator
b.p.smith@cqu.edu.au
Lisa Lole Unit Coordinator
l.lole@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 11 Mar 2019

Module/Topic

The science of knowing

Chapter

Refer to Moodle site for required reading material.

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 2 Begin Date: 18 Mar 2019

Module/Topic

Ethical research

Chapter

Burton et al. (2018). Ethics (pages 32-66) from Psychology Research Methods.

APA Publication Manual (2010). Manuscript structure and content (pages 11-20).

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 3 Begin Date: 25 Mar 2019

Module/Topic

Qualitative research

Chapter

Braun and Clarke (2013). Ten fundamentals of qualitative research (pages 19-41) from Successful qualitative research.

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 4 Begin Date: 01 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Experimental research

Chapter

Refer to Moodle site for required reading material.

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 5 Begin Date: 08 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Non-experimental research

Chapter

Refer to Moodle site for required reading material.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Ethics Personal Reflection Due: Week 5 Monday (8 Apr 2019) 9:00 am AEST
Vacation Week Begin Date: 15 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

No lecture (vacation week)

Chapter

No set readings for this week

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 6 Begin Date: 22 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Searching psychological literature

Chapter

APA Publication Manual (2010). Manuscript structure and content (Chapter 2).

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 7 Begin Date: 29 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Critically evaluating research evidence

Chapter

Dunn (2013). Searching and reading the psychological literature (Chapter 3) from The practical researcher: A student guide to conducting psychological research.

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 8 Begin Date: 06 May 2019

Module/Topic

Writing in APA style

Chapter

APA Publication Manual (2010). Writing clearly and concisely (Chapter 3).

APA Publication Manual (2010). Crediting sources (Chapter 6).

APA Publication Manual (2010). Reference examples (Chapter 7).

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 9 Begin Date: 13 May 2019

Module/Topic

Writing in psychology

Chapter

APA Publication Manual (2010). The mechanics of style (Chapter 4).

Events and Submissions/Topic

Journal Article Critical Review Due: Week 9 Monday (13 May 2019) 9:00 am AEST
Week 10 Begin Date: 20 May 2019

Module/Topic

Data analysis- Part 1 (descriptive statistics)

Chapter

APA Publication Manual (2010). Displaying results (Chapter 5).

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 11 Begin Date: 27 May 2019

Module/Topic

Data analysis- Part 2 (inferential statistics)

Chapter

No set readings for this week

Events and Submissions/Topic

APA Style Quiz Due: Week 11 Monday (27 May 2019) 9:00 am AEST
Week 12 Begin Date: 03 Jun 2019

Module/Topic

The research process in action

Chapter

APA Publication Manual (2010) - Chapter 8 (The publication process).

Events and Submissions/Topic

Research Report Due: Week 12 Monday (3 June 2019) 9:00 am AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 10 Jun 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 17 Jun 2019

Module/Topic


Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic


Term Specific Information

Required readings other than those from the prescribed textbook will be made available on the Moodle site.

Please note, in order to pass this unit you must submit the report (assessment 4) and obtain at least 25/50 (50%).

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Ethics Personal Reflection

Task Description

A list of psychological experiments and information relating to these will be made available on the Moodle site after the lecture in Week 1 of term. This assessment requires you to (a) select and research ONE of the ten listed psychological experiments in detail, and (b) write and submit ONE 450-550 word personal reflection on the experiment, according to the Marking Criteria.

This assignment is your chance to add your thoughts and analysis to what you have read and experienced. This piece of writing is meant to illustrate your understanding of the experiment (for example, the ethical implications of why and how it was done), and how it affects your ideas, and how it may possibly affect your practice in future.


Assessment Due Date

Week 5 Monday (8 Apr 2019) 9:00 am AEST

Submission via Moodle


Return Date to Students

Week 7 Monday (29 Apr 2019)

Assignments will be returned within two weeks of submission


Weighting
15%

Assessment Criteria

This assessment will be graded out of 15 marks. Marks will be allocated, according to each of the following criteria:

  1. An understanding of the issues and ethics of a particular experiment is demonstrated (5 marks).
  2. Reference to personal experiences, situations, events, or new information is made (5 marks).
  3. The response is of sufficient length (i.e. adheres to word limit) and is written with good spelling and grammar (5 marks).


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Copy and paste text when prompted during submission. Do not submit as a Word document.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Evaluate the quality of information, including differentiating empirical evidence from speculation
  • Reflect on one’s experiences in order to identify and articulate one’s personal and sociocultural values as well as demonstrate insightful awareness of one’s feelings, motives, and attitudes.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Ethical practice

2 Critical Review

Assessment Title
Journal Article Critical Review

Task Description

This task is designed to help you apply critical thinking principles when reviewing research articles.

You must apply critical evaluation skills and write a critique of a research paper that will be provided to you in Week 1 of the term. When writing the review, you must use/answer the twenty (20) questions that will be provided to you.


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Monday (13 May 2019) 9:00 am AEST

Submit via Moodle


Return Date to Students

Week 11 Monday (27 May 2019)

Assignments will be returned within two weeks of submission


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

This assessment will be graded out of 20. One (1) mark is allocated to each of the twenty (20) questions. There is no word limit for this assessment, however, responses to each item must be given in at least one or two sentences. A one-word response will not be accepted and will receive a mark of 0/1.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Copy and paste text when prompted during submission. Do not submit as a Word document.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Evaluate the quality of information, including differentiating empirical evidence from speculation
  • Reflect on one’s experiences in order to identify and articulate one’s personal and sociocultural values as well as demonstrate insightful awareness of one’s feelings, motives, and attitudes.


Graduate Attributes
  • Critical Thinking

3 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
APA Style Quiz

Task Description

Academic conventions and copyright law require that you acknowledge when you use the ideas of others. In most cases, this means stating which book or journal article is the source of an idea or quotation. There are many ways to present this information (referred to as referencing styles). In psychology, we use the American Psychological Association (or APA) referencing style. It is currently in its 6th version. All of your assessments in psychology will require the use of APA formatting and referencing. This task is designed to test your knowledge of the APA referencing style.

The quiz will consist of thirty (30) multiple choice questions. Each question is worth 0.5 marks. Questions will be related to various aspects of the use of the APA referencing style (e.g., in-text citations, reference list, general formatting of documents). The quiz will be available from Monday Week 1 until Monday week 11, and you may complete the quiz at any time within this period. You will only be given one opportunity to complete the quiz. The quiz will not be timed.


Number of Quizzes

1


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Monday (27 May 2019) 9:00 am AEST

Quiz will close on Monday 27 May at 9.00am


Return Date to Students

Week 11 Monday (27 May 2019)

Marks will be provided at the completion of the quiz


Weighting
15%

Assessment Criteria

Half a mark (0.5) mark will be given for each correct response. There are a total of 30 questions. The quiz is not timed, but you will only be given one opportunity to complete the quiz.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Complete the quiz via Moodle site

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Describe, apply and evaluate the different research methods used by psychologists
  • Write a standard research report using American Psychological Association (APA) structure and formatting conventions


Graduate Attributes
  • Information Literacy

4 Report

Assessment Title
Research Report

Task Description

The aim of this assessment is to enable you to practice writing and preparing a research report. You should be able to demonstrate that you can critically evaluate the literature on a given topic, communicate a research aim, construct a hypothesis, and discuss research findings. You will be required to complete a survey provided by the course coordinator over the first two weeks of the term. Results of the experiment will be made available in Week 5.

You will be required to write a 1500-2000 word research report on this data including an abstract, introduction and literature review (brief), a methods and procedure section, a results section, a discussion section, and a reference list. No statistical analysis will be required (this will be provided to you); however, some general descriptive data may need to be calculated (e.g., demographic data, and basic means and standard deviations for some variables). For the literature review five (5) references will be provided to you, but at least five (5) more must be found, and referred to, in your report. The report must be written in APA format.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Monday (3 June 2019) 9:00 am AEST

Submit via Moodle


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Monday (17 June 2019)

Students will receive feedback within two weeks of submission


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
To pass this unit you MUST submit this assessment, and MUST obtain at least 25/50 (50%).

Assessment Criteria

The report will be graded out of 50 marks. Marks are divided according to the following criteria:

  • Title: 2 marks
  • Abstract (summary of research and findings): 5 marks
  • Introduction (discussion of research problem, aims, hypotheses): 10 marks
  • Methods (subjects, methodology, procedure): 6 marks
  • Results (clarity of reporting, inclusion of appropriate graphs/tables, summary of findings): 6 marks
  • Discussion (summary of findings, implications, criticisms, future directions): 10 marks
  • References (using APA style, including 5 additional references): 6 marks
  • General (formatting, style, spelling, word count.): 5 marks

    More detail (and marking rubric) will be provided on the Moodle site.


    Referencing Style

    Submission
    Online

    Submission Instructions
    Submit as a Word document formatted in APA style, including a title page

    Learning Outcomes Assessed
    • Describe, apply and evaluate the different research methods used by psychologists
    • Write a standard research report using American Psychological Association (APA) structure and formatting conventions


    Graduate Attributes
    • Communication
    • Critical Thinking
    • Information Literacy
    • Ethical practice

    Academic Integrity Statement

    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?