CQUniversity Unit Profile
PSYC13015 Research Methods 3
Research Methods 3
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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 unit is designed to equip you with the analytic skills necessary to carry out advanced applied research. You will develop a toolbox of practical skills that will allow you to undertake qualitative and quantitative research as part of your undergraduate and/or professional career/s in psychology, research, business, government, community development, education, and beyond. The unit builds on earlier research methods units in psychology (PSYC11012 and PSYC12048). You will be introduced to advanced statistical techniques, as well as how to analyse and interpret quantitative data using industry-standard statistical software packages. You will also continue to develop your skills in qualitative research methods and build your abilities in research interviewing, thematic analysis and reporting of qualitative data, how to build rapport and trust with participants, and how to be self-aware and reflexive when conducting qualitative research.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 3
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 7
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

PSYC11012 and PSYC12048.

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 - 2022

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. Portfolio
Weighting: 50%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
3. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 20%

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 Moodle, email, feedback in tutorials / workshops.

Feedback

Some students found the main textbook (Field, 2017) quite complex and difficult to navigate and preferred the simpler supplemental textbook (Allen et al., 2018).

Recommendation

Swap the main and supplemental textbook for quantitative content in 2022.

Feedback from Moodle, email, feedback in tutorials / workshops.

Feedback

Students found the practical live SPSS workshops essential for consolidating theoretical learning.

Recommendation

Maintain multiple weekly opportunities for live 'hands on' practice with SPSS software.

Feedback from Moodle, email, feedback in tutorials / workshops.

Feedback

A significant minority of students struggled to grasp statistical concepts and SPSS, needing more individual support.

Recommendation

Continue to provide referrals to and advice regarding the support provided by the ALC and foster more peer support during the SPSS practical workshops and on the discussion boards.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Prepare quantitative data ready for analysis in a statistical software package.
  2. Analyse and report quantitative data in a professional format.
  3. Interpret and defend qualitative data analysis in a professional format.
  4. Prepare for and conduct a qualitative interview.

The external accrediting body is Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). The unit fulfills one of the key foundational competencies outlined in the accreditation document for students completing a 3 year psychology degree, i.e. they will acquire a depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach to research methods and statistics. This is a compulsory (year 3) unit required to successfully complete the course.

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 - Portfolio - 50%
2 - Written Assessment - 30%
3 - Practical Assessment - 20%

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
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

SPSS Statistics: A Practical Guide

4th Edition (2018)
Authors: Peter Allen, Kellie Bennett, Brody Heritage
CENGAGE
Australia
ISBN: 9780170421140
Binding: Paperback
Prescribed

Successful Qualitative Research: A Practical Guide for Beginners

1st Edition
Authors: Virginia Braun, Victoria Clarke
Sage
ISBN: 9781847875822
Binding: Paperback
Supplementary

Discovering Statistics using IBM SPSS Statistics

5th Edition (2017)
Authors: Andy Field
Sage
London London , UK
ISBN: 9781526419521
Binding: Paperback
Supplementary

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA)

7th Edition (2019)
Authors: American Psychological Association
American Psychological Association
Washington Washington , DC , USA
ISBN: 9781433832161
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

PSCY13015 is being revamped in 2022 to include both quantitative and qualitative content. Hence two prescribed textbooks are specified. In subsequent years students should have already purchased the Braun and Clarke textbook in previous research methods units. 

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • SPSS version 26 or later (preferably 28) standard edition. Base edition is not suitable.
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
Darren Walker Unit Coordinator
d.j.walker@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 07 Mar 2022

Module/Topic

Introduction to Research Methods 3 and SPSS Data Management 

Chapter

Allen et al (2018) Chapters 1 & 2 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Live lecture (2hrs duration max) and Zoom online SPSS workshop (1hr duration). 

Week 2 Begin Date: 14 Mar 2022

Module/Topic

Interviewing A (planning)

Chapter

Braun and Clarke (2013) Chapter 1

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom online tutorial (1hr duration).

Week 3 Begin Date: 21 Mar 2022

Module/Topic

Interviewing B (doing)

Chapter

Braun and Clarke (2013) Chapter 2

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom online tutorial (1hr duration).

Week 4 Begin Date: 28 Mar 2022

Module/Topic

Interviewing C (reflecting)

Chapter

Braun and Clarke (2013) Chapter 4

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom online tutorial (1hr duration).

Week 5 Begin Date: 04 Apr 2022

Module/Topic

Revision ANOVA (one-way designs) 

Chapter

Allen et al (2018) Chapters 3 & 7

Events and Submissions/Topic

Live lecture (2hrs duration max) and Zoom online SPSS workshop (1hr duration).

Vacation Week Begin Date: 11 Apr 2022

Module/Topic

Quantitative refresher (sampling, probability, t tests  and one-way ANOVA). Designed  for students who have not passed PSCY12047 but open to all students. 

Chapter

Readings will be distributed by Week 4. 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Live Zoom sessions (two hours) on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. 
Week 6 Begin Date: 18 Apr 2022

Module/Topic

Advanced thematic analysis A

Chapter

Braun and Clarke (2013) Chapters 8 & 9

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom online tutorial (1hr duration). 

Week 7 Begin Date: 25 Apr 2022

Module/Topic

Advanced thematic analysis B

Chapter

Braun and Clarke Chapters 10 & 11

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom online tutorial (1hr duration). Component 1 of Portfolio. 


SPSS ANALYSES Due: Week 7 Tuesday (26 Apr 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 8 Begin Date: 02 May 2022

Module/Topic

Factorial ANOVA part 1 [Between subjects designs] 

Chapter

Allen et al (2018) Chapter 8

Events and Submissions/Topic

Live Lecture (2hrs duration max) and Zoom online SPSS workshop (1hr duration). 

Week 9 Begin Date: 09 May 2022

Module/Topic

Factorial ANOVA part 2 [Mixed designs]

Chapter

Allen et al (2018) Chapter 9

Events and Submissions/Topic

Live Lecture (2hrs duration max) and Zoom online SPSS workshop (1hr duration).


EXPERIENTIAL THEMATIC ANALYSIS Due: Week 9 Tuesday (10 May 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 10 Begin Date: 16 May 2022

Module/Topic

Factorial ANOVA part 3 and ANCOVA  [Fully Repeated Measures designs and ANCOVA] 

Chapter

Allen et al (2018) Chapter 10 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom online workshop (1hr duration). Component 2 of Portfolio.

SPSS ANALYSES Due: Week 10 Tuesday (17 May 2022) 11:45 pm AEST

Week 11 Begin Date: 23 May 2022

Module/Topic

Multiple Regression Part 1 (correlation and simple linear regression) 

Chapter

Allen et al (2018) Chapters 12 & 13

Events and Submissions/Topic

Live Lecture (2hrs duration max) and Zoom online SPSS workshop (1hr duration).

Week 12 Begin Date: 30 May 2022

Module/Topic

Multiple Regression Part 2 (multiple regression) 

Chapter

Allen et al (2018) Chapter 13

Events and Submissions/Topic

Live Lecture (2hrs duration max) and Zoom online SPSS workshop (1hr duration).


INTERVIEW SKILLS Due: Week 12 Tuesday (31 May 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 06 Jun 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Component 3 of Portfolio.

SPSS ANALYSES Due: Week 13 Tuesday (7th June 2022) 11:45 pm AEST

Exam Week Begin Date: 13 Jun 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Unit Coordinator and quantitative methods lecturer: Dr. Darren Walker (Cairns campus) ; d.j.walker@cqu.edu.au ; 07-4037-5122.

Qualitative methods lecturer: Dr. Paul Duckett (Townsville campus) ; p.duckett@cqu.edu.au.

This is an advanced Research Methods unit. Students are expected to have successfully PSYC12048. It is suggested students spend a few hours refreshing any lecture notes and/or textbook chapters from this unit prior to starting PSYC13015.

Students are expected to have access to a working version of SPSS BEFORE week 1. The most convenient solution for online/distance students is to purchase and load a recent (e.g., 26 onwards, preferably 28) version of IBM SPSS (Standard most suitable, Not Base) onto their computer. Hearne software (https://www.hearne.software/SPSS-Selection-v28) is a reputable supplier for students. If you can afford it, 12 months is the most cost effective, as you will use SPSS again for PSYC13016 in term 2. Two alternative solutions are to a) use a copy on public access computer rooms if you live near a campus, or b) use a remote desktop version via CQU.

There is a minimum mark of 50% (averaged across the 3 components) for the quantitative portfolio.

Both qualitative assessments must also be passed, with a minimum mark of 50%.

Assessment Tasks

1 Portfolio

Assessment Title
SPSS ANALYSES

Task Description

You will be given data sets for statistical tests covered in the unit. You will be required to enter the data into SPSS, analyse these data and write up the statistical program output in brief APA style. There will be three data sets which form your portfolio. However, you are required to submit each component of the portfolio at designated submission dates to scaffold learning and enable you to benefit from feedback. The first component (one-way ANOVA) is due in week 7 and is worth 10% of the unit marks. The second component (factorial ANOVA) is due in week 10 and is worth 20% of the unit marks. The third component (multiple regression) is due in week 13 (course review week) and is worth 20% of the unit marks. 


Assessment Due Date

Week 7 Tuesday (26 Apr 2022) 11:45 pm AEST

Component 1 due week 7, component 2 due week 10, and component 3 due week 13


Return Date to Students

Week 9 Monday (9 May 2022)

Components 1 and 2 will be returned to enable students to make use of feedback. The aim is within two weeks of submission. Component 3 grades (and feedback) will be available by the 27/06/2022


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Component 1. The % of marks awarded will be split among the following criteria : appropriate analysis, assumption testing, correct interpretation of statistical output, effect size, and statistics written concisely in APA format. 10 marks awarded in total. WORD RANGE 250-400.

Component 2. The % of marks awarded will be split among the following criteria : appropriate analysis, assumption testing, correct interpretation of statistical output, effect size, and statistics written concisely in APA format. 20 marks awarded in total. WORD RANGE 350-550.

Component 3. The % of marks awarded will be split among the following criteria : appropriate analysis, assumption testing, correct interpretation of statistical output, effect size, fit of the model, and statistics written concisely in APA format. 20 marks awarded in total. WORD RANGE 300-500.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Each component needs to be submitted separately at the specified due date. MS WORD files are preferred over PDF.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Prepare quantitative data ready for analysis in a statistical software package.
  • Analyse and report quantitative data in a professional format.

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
EXPERIENTIAL THEMATIC ANALYSIS

Task Description

You will be given a transcript from a fictitious interview on the topic of student mental health. You will undertake Experiential Thematic Analysis upon the transcript. This will involve the following steps: 1) fully familiarise yourself with the transcript, 2) code the transcript and find a pattern in your coding that can be presented in the form of one overarching theme, two themes and three sub-themes, 3) You will present these types of themes in a graphical figure along with a written description of the relationship between the different types of themes you have identified, 4) you will provide a written explanation of the overarching theme, one theme and one sub-theme using a balance of analytic commentary and appropriately cited data extracts. Your written submission will show steps 3-4 (steps 1 and 2 are not submitted).


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Tuesday (10 May 2022) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 11 Friday (27 May 2022)

The aim is to return experimental thematic analysis prior to interview skills being submitted


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

You will be assessed on your evidence of having undertaken a systematic and thorough process of qualitative data analysis that results in a convincing and compelling interpretation of the data. This will be assessed using the following four criteria: 1) balancing analytic commentary against data extracts (citing direct quotes from the transcript) in a professional format, 2) constructing an analytic commentary that provides original and novel insights into the meaning of the data, 3) capturing both overt and latent levels of meaning, 4) defending against alternative plausible interpretations of the data.

WORD LIMIT: Your submission should be no more than 800 words (inclusive of data extracts, data citations, text used in figures and headings). Any words over that limit will not be read or assessed by your marker. See the Psychology Word Count Information document for a rationale for this type of word limit restriction.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submissions must be in a MS WORD file format ONLY

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Interpret and defend qualitative data analysis in a professional format.

3 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
INTERVIEW SKILLS

Task Description

You will conduct and record an individual interview with a classmate using Zoom software. The classmate will be allocated by your Tutor. You will be provided with a research topic, a research question and a provisional interview guide. The interview should be no shorter than 20 minutes and no longer than 40 minutes. You will need to schedule the interview to take place during teaching week 6. You will be responsible for scheduling the interviewing, arranging the Zoom meeting and for recording the meeting. You are advised to record the interview locally rather than to the cloud. You will submit a short, edited version of your interview for assessment. Your edited video should be no longer than 3 minutes. This will require you to select the parts of the interview that you believe show your best interviewing skills. You will be provided with basic instruction on how to edit a video using the Windows 10 app called ‘Video Editor’.

Following the interview, you will produce a written reflection on your performance in the interview.

Your reflection could include one or more of the following points:

- Your introduction (did it set the person at ease by giving them a clear easy to understand overview of what you would be doing together?)

- The wording of your questions (were they open, non-leading, short and clear, empathetic?)

- Your listening skills (how was your posture, gaze and attention; what distracted you from listening well, what helped; how well did you include active listening responses?)

- Your responsive skills (how well were you able to adapt your language/questions/structure to the participant’s account ; what helped/hindered this?)

- What skills did you use to help elicit a rich, detailed account in the participant’s own words


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Tuesday (31 May 2022) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (17 June 2022)


Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

You will be assessed against four criteria. The first three will relate to your performance in the interview as presented in your edited video recording. The fourth criteria will relate to your written reflection on the interview.

The three key criteria against which your interview recording will be assessed are: clarity of your recording, encouragement, and flexibility and listening. These criteria are designed to assess your ability to record an interview with sufficient fidelity to ensure it can be efficiently transcribed (you will not be required to transcribe your interview). The encouragement criteria will assess your ability to communicate respect and interest in your interviewee. Flexibility and listening will assess your ability to be responsive to your interviewee in relation to what questions you ask and how you ask those questions.

The fourth criteria against which your written reflection will be assessed is insightful and balanced reflection. This criteria is designed to asses your ability to both envision how you might further improve you interviewing skills and your reflections on the challenges posed by working in a qualitative research paradigm.

WORD LIMIT: Your written reflection should be no more than 300 words. Any words over that limit will not be read or assessed by your marker. See the Psychology Word Count Information document for a rationale for this type of word limit restriction. Similarly, your edited interview recording should be no longer than 3 minutes and if you submit a longer video, only the first 3 minutes will be viewed.

INTERVIEW RECORDING FORMAT: You should record in an mp4 audio format. Your video resolution should be in either 720p (standard definition) or 1080p (high definition). Do not record in a higher resolution as your video file may be too large to upload to the submission page in Moodle.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Remember to submit both an edited video (.mp4) and a written reflection (MS WORD format only)

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Prepare for and conduct a qualitative interview.

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?