CQUniversity Unit Profile
PSYC12048 Research Methods 2
Research Methods 2
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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

Both qualitative and quantitative research skills are highly sought after in many career paths. This unit builds upon Research Methods 1 (PSYC11012) to provide you with the knowledge and skills to conduct and appraise both qualitative and quantitative research in your university and/or professional careers in psychology. The unit will continue to build your skills in critiquing, designing, and analysing qualitative research. It will also further advance your skills related to designing quantitative research, including how to perform basic statistical analyses by hand and using industry-standard computer software. Students who are not confident in their mathematical abilities are encouraged to contact the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) to discuss 'refresher' options.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 7
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-Requisite Completion of PSYC11012. 

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 - 2023

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. Poster Sessions
Weighting: 30%
2. Project (applied)
Weighting: 10%
3. Portfolio
Weighting: 60%

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 Student feedback

Feedback

Students asked for detailed videos with step-by-step instructions for statistical calculations to aid their learning.

Recommendation

Continue to develop and provide pre-recorded videos on statistical calculations, supported with opportunities for practice during live tutorials.

Feedback from SUTE qualitative feedback

Feedback

Some students wanted earlier access to unit content.

Recommendation

Load pre-recorded teaching materials as early as possible to the Moodle site.

Feedback from SUTE quantitative and qualitative feedback

Feedback

Students appreciated the balance of quantitative and qualitative methods.

Recommendation

Maintain the balance between qualitative and quantitative teaching in the unit.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Compare and contrast qualitative and quantitative research approaches.
  2. Map a thematic analysis of qualitative research data.
  3. Calculate and report quantitative data in a professional format.

This unit addresses Foundational Competencies as specified by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). The unit specifically aligns to the following APAC graduate competencies:

1.1 Comprehend and apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge of psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach, including the following topics: i. the history and philosophy underpinning the science of psychology and the social, cultural, historical and professional influences on the practice of psychology; and xii. research methods and statistics.

1.2 Apply knowledge and skills of psychology in a manner that is reflexive, culturally appropriate and sensitive to the diversity of individuals.

1.3 Analyse and critique theory and research in the discipline of psychology and communicate these in written and oral formats.

1.4 Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate values and ethics in psychology.

1.6 Demonstrate self-directed pursuit of scholarly inquiry in psychology.

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
1 - Project (applied) - 10%
2 - Poster Sessions - 30%
3 - Portfolio - 60%

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 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Successful Qualitative Research: A Practical Guide for Beginners

Edition: First (2013)
Authors: Virginia Braun & Victoria Clarke
Sage Publishing
Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks , California , United States of America
ISBN: 9781847875815
Binding: Hardcover
Supplementary

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA)

7th Edition (2020)
Authors: American Psychological Association
American Psychological Association
Washington Washington , Washington , United States of America
ISBN: 9781433832161
Binding: Paperback

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Jamovi (free statistics analysis program) or other statistics software
Referencing Style

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.

Teaching Contacts
Lisa Lole Unit Coordinator
l.lole@cqu.edu.au
Cassy Dittman Unit Coordinator
c.dittman@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 10 Jul 2023

Module/Topic

Introduction to Qualitative Research A

Chapter

Braun & Clarke (2013)

  • Chapter 8: Moving towards analysis

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 17 Jul 2023

Module/Topic

Introduction to Qualitative Research B

Chapter

Braun & Clarke (2013) 

  • Chapter 12: Quality criteria and techniques for qualitative research

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 24 Jul 2023

Module/Topic

Scale Development, Scales of Measurement, Central Tendency, Variance, & Reporting Results

Chapter

Burton et al. (2018)

  • Chapter 3: Measurement and Validity

Cote et al. (2021)

  • Chapter 3: Measures of Central Tendency and Spread

APA Manual (2020)

  • Chapter 6: The Mechanics of Style

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 31 Jul 2023

Module/Topic

z-Scores, Probability, Percentiles, & Hypothesis Testing

Chapter

Cote et al. (2021)

  • Chapter 4: z-Scores and the Standard Normal Distribution
  • Chapter 5: Probability
  • Chapter 6: Sampling Distributions
  • Chapter 7: Introduction to Hypothesis Testing

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 07 Aug 2023

Module/Topic

Chi-square

Chapter

Cote et al. (2021)

  • Chapter 14: Chi-square

Events and Submissions/Topic

Non-Linear Map Due: Week 5 Thursday (10 Aug 2023) 11:59 pm AEST
Vacation Week Begin Date: 14 Aug 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 21 Aug 2023

Module/Topic

Correlation

Chapter

Cote et al. (2021)

  • Chapter 12: Correlations

Events and Submissions/Topic

Calculation Portfolio #1 Due Week 6 Thursday (24 August 2023) 11:59 pm AEST


Survey Creation Due: Week 6 Thursday (24 Aug 2023) 11:59 pm AEST
Calculation Portfolio Due: Week 6 Thursday (24 Aug 2023) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 7 Begin Date: 28 Aug 2023

Module/Topic

Regression

Chapter

Cote et al. (2021)

  • Chapter 13: Linear Regression

Events and Submissions/Topic

Calculation Portfolio #2 Due Week 7 Thursday (31 August 2023) 11:59 pm AEST

Week 8 Begin Date: 04 Sep 2023

Module/Topic

Unrelated samples t-test

Chapter

Cote et al. (2021)

  • Chapter 8: Introduction to t-tests
  • Chapter 10: Independent Samples

Events and Submissions/Topic

Calculation Portfolio #3 Due Week 8 Thursday (7 September 2023) 11:59 pm AEST

Week 9 Begin Date: 11 Sep 2023

Module/Topic

Related samples t-test

Chapter

Cote et al. (2021)

  • Chapter 9: Repeated Measures

Events and Submissions/Topic

Calculation Portfolio #4 Due Week 9 Thursday (14 September 2023) 11:59 pm AEST

Week 10 Begin Date: 18 Sep 2023

Module/Topic

One-way Independent Groups ANOVA

Chapter

Cote et al. (2021)

  • Chapter 11: Analysis of Variance

Events and Submissions/Topic

Calculation Portfolio #5 Due Week 10 Thursday (21 September 2023) 11:59 pm AEST

Week 11 Begin Date: 25 Sep 2023

Module/Topic

Qualitative Project Design A

Chapter

Braun & Clarke (2013)

  • Chapter 4: Interactive data collection 1: interviews
  • Chapter 5: Interactive data collection 2: focus groups
  • Chapter 6: Textual data collection: surveys, stories, diaries and secondary sources
  • Chapter 7: Preparing audio data for analysis: transcription

Events and Submissions/Topic

Calculation Portfolio #6 Due Week 11 Thursday (28 September 2023) 11:59 pm AEST

Week 12 Begin Date: 02 Oct 2023

Module/Topic

Qualitative Project Design B

Chapter

Braun & Clarke (2013)

  • Chapter 3: Planning and designing qualitative research
  • Chapter 4: Interactive data collection 1: interviews
  • Chapter 5: Interactive data collection 2: focus groups
  • Chapter 6: Textual data collection: surveys, stories, diaries and secondary sources

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 09 Oct 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 16 Oct 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

The Qualitative content (Weeks 1, 2, 11 and 12) will be taught by Dr Paul Duckett. Please post any questions relating to the qualitative content, including Assessment 1 in the Qualitative-specific Q&A forum on Moodle.

The Quantitative content (Weeks 3-10) will be taught by Sharleen Keleher (Unit Coordinator). All readings for Weeks 3-10 are available via the CQUniversity library PSYC12048 eReading list.

Assessment Tasks

1 Poster Sessions

Assessment Title
Non-Linear Map

Task Description

You will be given a transcript taken from an interview. The transcript has been analysed by psychology staff who have undertaken a thematic analysis of the conversation. You will see their notes, their coding, and the themes that they have developed from the transcript.

Your task it to present a poster that shows off those themes in a way that provides a useful and novel way of thinking about the topic that was discussed in the interview.

You will then write a short commentary on how your representation of the data (the themes) differs from the most common ways of representing quantitative data in a figure.


Assessment Due Date

Week 5 Thursday (10 Aug 2023) 11:59 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 8 Thursday (7 Sept 2023)


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

You will be assessed against a marking rubric that will focus on two key areas of your learning:

  1. Your ability to compare and contrast a qualitative and a quantitative way of presenting research data
  2. Your ability to map the results of a piece of thematic analysis through creating a non-linear figure/diagram

WORD LIMIT: Your submission should be no more than 300 words (exclusive of any words contained in your illustration/graphic/figure but inclusive of any text used in your headings). Any words over that limit will not be read or assessed by your marker. See the Psychology Word Count Information on Moodle for a rationale for this type of word limit restriction.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
There are two elements of your submission: 1. A non-linear thematic map (an illustration/figure/graphic), and 2. A 300-word written summary of how your map has used a different approach to presenting data than is commonly used in quantitative research. Both elements should be incorporated into a single MS Word document. Your illustration/figure/graphic can be created using the SMARTART Graphics tool in MS Word. You can also use any alternative third-party graphics software but you should be aware that the university may not support that software in terms of providing you with technical assistance for its use. Alternatively, you can draw your diagram by hand and paste a photo of it into your Word document.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Compare and contrast qualitative and quantitative research approaches.
  • Map a thematic analysis of qualitative research data.

2 Project (applied)

Assessment Title
Survey Creation

Task Description

Qualitative data is often used to guide the development of quantitative research questionnaires. For instance, the generalisability of key themes identified from qualitative interviews of a few individuals can be tested using quantitative tools that survey a larger proportion of the population.

For this assessment, you are required to read the qualitative interview transcript provided and the themes that have been extracted from this. Your task is to create five (5) survey scale items informed by these themes, including response options, a justification and a reflection for each survey item.

Your submission will include three (3) components:

  1. Five (5) questions to be asked, including Likert-scale response options that could be used to quantitatively measure the experiences reflected in these themes;
  2. A justification for each survey item explaining why the item is likely to be effective in measuring the experience reflected in the themes;
  3. A reflection on each survey item, explaining how the item might not be effective and/or misinterpreted.


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Thursday (24 Aug 2023) 11:59 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 8 Thursday (7 Sept 2023)


Weighting
10%

Assessment Criteria

30 marks are available for this assessment task:

10 marks for well-constructed survey items.

 10 marks for justification for each survey item. Your justifications should explain why each of the questions could work well (vs other options), and be supported by relevant survey design literature.

10 marks for reflection on possible limitations of each question and its associated response items, including descriptions of scenarios where someone might misinterpret each survey item.

A more detailed marking rubric is available on Moodle.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Please complete your assessment using a document processer (e.g., Word) then upload your submission in .doc or .docx format to Moodle.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Compare and contrast qualitative and quantitative research approaches.

3 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Calculation Portfolio

Task Description

You will be required to complete 6 Calculation Portfolio tasks, each worth 10% of your final grade. Four of these tasks will require you to perform statistical hand calculations by hand and the other 2 tasks will require you to perform statistical calculations using computer software.

Calculation Portfolio Tasks #1, #2, #4, and #5 are the tasks that require you to perform statistical calculations by hand. You will have TWO attempts at each of these tasks and the attempt with the highest score will be awarded as your final mark. You will have 2 hours to complete each attempt.

Calculation Portfolio Tasks #3 and #6 will require you to perform statistical calculations using computer software. You have ONE attempt for each of these tasks.


The due dates, type of calculation (hand, computer), and content assessed in each of these are as follows:

  • Portfolio #1 (due Week 6) will be a hand calculation based on material from Week 5
  • Portfolio #2 (due Week 7) will be a hand calculation based on material from Week 6
  • Portfolio #3 (due Week 8) will be a computer calculation based on material from Week 7
  • Portfolio #4 (due Week 9) will be a hand calculation based on material from Week 8
  • Portfolio #5 (due Week 10) will be a hand calculation based on material from Week 9
  • Portfolio #6 (due Week 11) will be a computer calculation based on material from Week 10


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Thursday (24 Aug 2023) 11:59 pm AEST

Calculation task #1 is due 11:59 pm (AEST) on 24/08/2023; Calculation task #2 is due 11:59 pm (AEST) on 31/08/2023; Calculation task #3 is due 11:59 pm (AEST) on 07/09/2023; Calculation task #4 is due 11:59 pm (AEST) on 14/09/2023; Calculation task #5 is due 11:59 pm (AEST) on 21/09/2023; Calculation task #6 is due 11:59 pm (AEST) on 28/09/2023.


Return Date to Students

Week 7 Thursday (31 Aug 2023)

For the hand calculation tasks (i.e., #1, #2, #4, and #5), grades will be made available in Moodle immediately after completion of each task. Detailed feedback will be given when each assessment closes (see DUE DESCRIPTION dates above). Feedback on the computer calculation tasks (i.e., #3 and #6) will be returned approximately 2 weeks from the due date.


Weighting
60%

Minimum mark or grade
50% (across all 6 portfolio tasks)

Assessment Criteria

There are 2 different types of calculations that you will be required to complete as part of this assessment portfolio: 4 where you perform the calculation by hand and 2 where you perform statistical calculations using computer software.

Calculation Portfolio Tasks 1, 2, 4, and 5 are based on hand calculations. Each of these tasks will each be graded out of 10. You will receive 1 mark for each correct answer. Please see practice tasks and feedback on Moodle for further details on what kind of answers are expected on these assessments.

Calculation Portfolio Tasks #3 and #6 are based on statistical calculations using computer software. Each of these tasks will each be graded out of 10. Marks will be allocated, according to the following criteria:

  1. Selection of an appropriate statistical analysis for the given data using a statistical software program (2 marks)
  2. Justification for the choice of statistical test (2 marks)
  3. Results reported and interpreted correctly (4 marks)
  4. Results written according to American Psychological Association (APA) standards (2 marks)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Please complete your hand calculation tasks (i.e., 1, 2, 4, and 5) online via Moodle. Please complete your computer calculation tasks using a document processer (e.g., Word) then upload your submission to Moodle in .doc or .docx format.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Calculate and report quantitative data in a professional format.

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?