CQUniversity Unit Profile
PSYC14050 Ethics & Professional Issues in Psychology
Ethics & Professional Issues in Psychology
All details in this unit profile for PSYC14050 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
Corrections

Unit Profile Correction added on 28-04-20

The on-campus Residential School was changed to an on-line Residential School.

The end of term examination has now been changed to an alternate form of assessment. Please see your Moodle site for details of the assessment.


General Information

Overview

This unit will provide you with comprehensive training in Research Ethics and the Ethics of Professional Practice. This unit will develop and assess your ability to apply ethical concepts in real life situations and scenarios, with emphasis placed on the provision of evidence-based reasoning and justifications. As an advanced level unit there is a high level of expectation regarding independent study and self-directed learning. You are expected to be an active participant in the learning process, to independently research and read widely and to reflect upon multiple perspectives and opinions about best ethics practice in psychology, both in research and in professional practice. The unit is split into two six-week modules. Module 1 - Research Ethics will provide you with an understanding of the necessity for, and the processes which underpin, research ethics within the Psychology discipline. This module has a focus on, and will acquaint you with, the human research ethics procedures set by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). Module 2 - Professional Practice aims to equip you with the knowledge necessary for practicing as a psychologist in a professional manner. The focus of this module is on the identification of ethical issues in practice and the development of professional decision-making skills. This module will acquaint you with the Code of Ethics and the Ethical Guidelines set by the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 4
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in CC42 Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)

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 - 2020

Mixed Mode

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).

Residential Schools

This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.

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. Group Work
Weighting: 35%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 35%
3. Examination
Weighting: 30%

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 Evaluation

Feedback

Residential School was very beneficial - both for meeting fellow students and lecturers, but also the group presentation assessment was a great way to start understanding research ethics.

Recommendation

Residential School will continue to be offered and will be in the same format (including group presentation assessments).

Feedback from Student Evaluation

Feedback

Clarity needed as to which marking rubric should be used and what was required from the assessments.

Recommendation

Marking rubrics and other assessment information will not be altered once the Moodle site is made available to students.

Feedback from Student Evaluation

Feedback

Assignments needed to be returned on time.

Recommendation

All staff will be reminded that return of student work by the dates specified in the Unit Profile is essential. The Head of Course will continually check on marking progress and will take steps to address any issues before they have an impact on assessment return.

Feedback from Student Evaluation, emails.

Feedback

Teaching staff were supportive and approachable.

Recommendation

Continue to foster an open dialogue between students and staff.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Identify and apply the ethical requirements of psychological research in an Australian context, particularly as they relate to the National Health and Medical Research Council Guidelines for the Ethical Conduct of Human Research
  2. Critically evaluate research from an ethics perspective and propose changes to a research approach and/or design to address the ethical issues identified
  3. Apply and evaluate ethical decision making strategies across multiple professional contexts, particularly as they relate to applications of the Code of Ethics and the Ethical Guidelines of the Australian Psychological Society.

Learning outcomes fulfil the level 2 pre-professional core competencies required by the updated Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) guidelines. The learning outcomes also meet the study criteria as specified by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) as appropriate for study at level 8 as stated by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

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 - Group Work - 35%
2 - Written Assessment - 35%
3 - Examination - 30%

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

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Group Work - 35%
2 - Written Assessment - 35%
3 - Examination - 30%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

APS Code of Ethics

Edition: N/A (N/A)
Authors: Australian Psychologcial Society
Australian Psychological Society
Melbourne Melbourne , Victoria , Australia
Binding: eBook
Prescribed

APS Ethical Guidelines

Edition: N/A (Latest - most currently available)
Authors: Australian Psychological Society
Australian Psychological Society
Melbourne Melbourne , Victoria , Australia
Binding: eBook
Prescribed

Ethical Practice in Applied Psychology

(2014)
Authors: Christopher Boyle and Nicholas Gamble
Oxford University Press Australia & New Zealand
South Melbourne South Melbourne , Victoria , Australia
ISBN: 9780195523102
Binding: Paperback
Prescribed

National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research

Edition: N/A (2018)
Authors: National Health and Medical Research Council
Australian Government
Australia
Binding: Website Link
Prescribed

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association

Edition: 7th (2019)
Authors: American Psychologcial Association
Footprint Books
Sydney Sydney , New South Wales , Australia
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

Copies are available for purchase at 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)
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
Sarah Blunden Unit Coordinator
s.blunden@cqu.edu.au
Tina McAdie Unit Coordinator
t.mcadie@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1: Introduction to the Unit and Research and Professional Ethics. Begin Date: 09 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Introduction to the unit

Introduction to Ethics in Professional Practice

Research Ethics at CQU

Discussion of Assessments

Chapter

Boyle and Gamble - Chapter 1

Boyle and Gamble - Chapter 9

Readings on Moodle:

  1. National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) - Summary of the National Statement on ethical conduct in human research
  2. Australian Psychological Society (APS) Code of Ethics

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2: Professional Practice Ethics - Introduction - Why bother about ethics? Begin Date: 16 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Introduction to Ethics in Professional Practice

What is an ethical and moral psychologist?


Chapter

Boyle and Gamble - Chapter 1

Readings on Moodle:

1. Eight core competencies (Morrissey & Reddy, 2006)

2. View the videos about Married at First Sight

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3: Residential School - Rockhampton Begin Date: 23 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Ethics in Professional Practice: Introduction to models of ethical decision making (EDM)

Research Ethics: Evaluation of a Research Project

Chapter

Boyle and Gamble - Chapter 3

Readings on Moodle:

  1. Australian Psychological Society (APS) Ethical Decision Making (EDM) model
  2. Week 3 Case Study
  3. NHMRC - Summary of National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research

Events and Submissions/Topic

Residential School: Tuesday and Wednesday (Ethics)

Group Presentation assessment (Wednesday)

Careers Event (Thursday Evening)


Group Presentation Due: Week 3 Wednesday (25 Mar 2020) 1:00 pm AEST
Week 4: Professional Practice Ethics - Privacy, Confidentiality, Legality and Consent Begin Date: 30 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Privacy, confidentiality and consent.

Mandatory reporting requirements and legality

Child protection issues

Chapter

Boyle and Gamble - Chapter 2 and 5

Readings on Moodle:

1. Confidential health care for adolescent (Sanci et al., 2005)

2. Legal and ethical aspects of working with young people

3. Ethical guidelines on reporting abuse and neglect and criminal activity

4. Ethical guidelines on confidentiality

5.Ethical guidelines for providing psychological services and products using the internet and telecommunications

6. Ethics in the digital age

7. Mandatory reporting for abuse and neglect

8. Legal issues in Psychology (Youngstrom, 2000).

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5: Professional Practice Ethics - Boundaries, Dual Relationships, Advertising, Legality and Rural Practice and Advertising Begin Date: 06 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Advertising and ethics

Boundaries and dual relationships

Working in small and regional communities

Chapter

Boyle and Gamble - Chapter 4

Readings on Moodle:

1. Ethical guidelines for managing professional boundaries and multiple relationships

2. Ethical guidelines for psychological practice in rural and remote settings

3. What's in a name: Psychologists' Titles

4. The Practice of Psychology in Rural Communities: Potential Ethical Dilemmas. (Helbok, 2010).

5. Managing Multiple Relationships in Rural Communities: Neutrality and Boundary Violations (Faulkner & Faulkner, 1997).


Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 13 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6: Professional Practice Ethics - Working with Diversity and Indigenous Clients Begin Date: 20 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Gender and cultural diversity

Cultural ethics

Working with Indigenous clients

Discuss Assessment

Chapter

Boyle and Gamble - Chapter 6

Readings on Moodle:

1. Ethical guidelines on working with sex and/or gender diverse clients

2. Ethical guidelines for psychological practice with lesbian, gay and bisexual clients

3. Ethical guidelines for psychological practice with clients with an intellectual disability

4. Ethical guidelines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

5. Ethical professional practice: exploring the issues for health services to rural Aboriginal communities (Malone, 2012).

6. An Interdisciplinary Approach to LGBTI professional training and Ethical Care (Bidell, 2017).

Events and Submissions/Topic

Prepare to submit Written Assessment (Professional Ethics).

Due Week 7: Monday 27th April 2020; 09.00 AEST.

Week 7: Professional Practice Ethics - Managing risky clients Begin Date: 27 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Assessing the ethical responsibilities with clients at risk to themselves or others

Suicide and suicide prevention

Wrap up of Professional Ethics 

Exam hints and tips

Chapter

Boyle and Gamble - Chapter 7 and 8

Readings on Moodle:

1. Assessing suicide and self-harm (Headspace)

2. Responding to serious antisocial behaviour. Day (2013)

3. Ethical guidelines for working with clients when there is a risk of serious harm to others

4. Ethical guidelines relating to clients at risk of suicide

5. Working with suicidal clients (Hawgood & De Leo, 2015).

6. De-escalation of aggressive behaviour (Hallett & Dickens, 2017).


Events and Submissions/Topic

Submission of Written Assessment (Professional Ethics).

Due Week 7: Monday 27th April 2020; 09.00 AEST.


Written Assessment Due: Week 7 Monday (27 Apr 2020) 9:00 am AEST
Week 8: Research Ethics - The Terrible History Begin Date: 04 May 2020

Module/Topic


Introduction

Chapter

Boyle and Gamble - Chapter 9
Readings on Moodle:

      1. NHMRC - Summary of national statement on ethical conduct in human research

      2. Helsinki Declaration

      3. The Nuremberg Code

      4. Stanford Prison Experiment

      Events and Submissions/Topic

      Week 9: Research Ethics - Key Concepts Begin Date: 11 May 2020

      Module/Topic

      Research merit and integrity, benefice, justice, respect, consent, vulnerability, confientiality.

      Chapter

      Boyle and Gamble - Chapter 9

      Readings on Moodle:

      1. NHMRC - Summary of national statement on ethical conduct in human research

      2. Bracken-Roche, D., Bell, E., Macdonald, M.E. et al. (2017). The concept of ‘vulnerability’ in research ethics: an in-depth analysis of policies and guidelines.

      3. World Health Organisation (WHO) informed consent

      Events and Submissions/Topic

      Week 10: Research with Specific Populations Begin Date: 18 May 2020

      Module/Topic

      Issues and risks associated with research on/to/with populations which could be considered vulnerable. Potential solutions will also be discussed.

      Chapter

      Boyle and Gamble - Chapter 9

      Readings on Moodle:

      1. NHMRC - Summary of national statement on ethical conduct in human research

      2. Bracken-Roche, D., Bell, E., Macdonald, M.E. et al. (2017). The concept of ‘vulnerability’ in research ethics: an in-depth analysis of policies and guidelines.

      3. World Health Organisation (WHO) informed consent

      4. Witham, Beddow and Haigh (2015). Too vulnerable to research.

      5. Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies. 


      Events and Submissions/Topic

       


      Week 11: Animal Research and Ethics Begin Date: 25 May 2020

      Module/Topic

      Issues with using animals for research - who benefits?

       The 3 Rs

      Chapter

      1. Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes 8th edition (2013)

      Events and Submissions/Topic

      Week 12: Review and summary week, examination preparation Begin Date: 01 Jun 2020

      Module/Topic

      Review of the material covered this term, preparation for the examination.

      Chapter

      No additional readings this week.

      Events and Submissions/Topic

      Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 08 Jun 2020

      Module/Topic

      Chapter

      Events and Submissions/Topic

      Exam Week Begin Date: 15 Jun 2020

      Module/Topic

      Chapter

      Events and Submissions/Topic

      Assessment Tasks

      1 Group Work

      Assessment Title
      Group Presentation

      Task Description

      You will be critiquing a Research Ethics application and will be providing solutions to the ethical issues identified. The assessment will be presented as a Group Oral Presentation at the Residential School in Week 3. You will also submit the accompanying powerpoints/slides.


      Assessment Due Date

      Week 3 Wednesday (25 Mar 2020) 1:00 pm AEST

      The Group Presentation will be given at the Residential School


      Return Date to Students

      Week 6 Friday (24 Apr 2020)

      Feedback and the mark will be returned to the students as soon as possible.


      Weighting
      35%

      Assessment Criteria

      No Assessment Criteria


      Referencing Style

      Submission
      Offline Online Group

      Submission Instructions
      Please submit the Powerpoints (or equivalent) by 1pm on Wednesday the 25th of March.

      Learning Outcomes Assessed
      • Identify and apply the ethical requirements of psychological research in an Australian context, particularly as they relate to the National Health and Medical Research Council Guidelines for the Ethical Conduct of Human Research
      • Critically evaluate research from an ethics perspective and propose changes to a research approach and/or design to address the ethical issues identified


      Graduate Attributes
      • Communication
      • Problem Solving
      • Critical Thinking
      • Team Work
      • Ethical practice
      • Social Innovation

      2 Written Assessment

      Assessment Title
      Written Assessment

      Task Description

      Students will choose one of four (4) professional ethical dilemmas which will be made available on Moodle. Students will then apply the Australian Psychological Society (APS) ethical decision making model (EDM) discussed and practiced during the residential school and during the lectures.

      The assessment will be a discussion of an ethical dilemma that would be encountered in Professional Practice written in essay form. Essay length is 1250-1500 words and students should refer to the Marking Rubric to ensure the sections of the EDM model are addressed.


      Assessment Due Date

      Week 7 Monday (27 Apr 2020) 9:00 am AEST

      Submission via Moodle


      Return Date to Students

      Week 9 Friday (15 May 2020)

      Assignments will be returned via Moodle.


      Weighting
      35%

      Assessment Criteria

      Assessment will be based on the following:

      Content of the essay ( /20) including:

      Identification and explanation of relevant ethical issues.

      Detailed explanation of possible negative and positive implications of potential actions.

      Rationale for choice of preferred action - Definite conclusions (clear stance).

      Review and integration of valid and current research.

      Referral to relevant sections of the Australian Psychology Society (APS) Code of Ethics and the Australian Psychology Society (APS) Ethical Decision Making model (EDM).

      Structure and style of the essay (/10)

      Demonstration of high level critical and analytical thinking.

      Appropriate language and style for a professional / academic audience.

      Good sentence structure, spelling, punctuation and grammar.

      Format and layout (/5)

      Accuracy of in-text citations.

      Appropriate use of in-text citations.

      Correct APA formatting for in-text citations and reference list.

      Overall adherence to APA (Version 7) requirements


      Referencing Style

      Submission
      Online

      Submission Instructions
      To be submitted via Moodle by Monday 27th April (Week 7) at 09.00 AEST

      Learning Outcomes Assessed
      • Apply and evaluate ethical decision making strategies across multiple professional contexts, particularly as they relate to applications of the Code of Ethics and the Ethical Guidelines of the Australian Psychological Society.


      Graduate Attributes
      • Communication
      • Problem Solving
      • Critical Thinking
      • Ethical practice

      Examination

      Outline
      Complete an invigilated examination

      Date
      During the examination period at a CQUniversity examination centre

      Weighting
      30%

      Length
      180 minutes

      Exam Conditions
      Closed Book

      Materials
      Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
      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?