Overview
This unit will introduce you to the various methodological approaches to research and evaluation as they relate to positive psychology. You will develop a critical understanding of the research process, and gain knowledge of the theoretical and empirical traditions in positive psychology research and assessment. The unit will help you to become familiar with valid and ethical processes for collecting and analysing data, the importance of data-driven decision making, and measuring the impact of interventions, and evaluating programs, using a range of methods specific to positive psychology research. In this unit you will be encouraged to question why and how research contributes to best practice (and vice versa). You will learn the skills of engaging with research in a critical manner, and consider the ways research can be used to guide design and procedure for interventions. There will be an overarching focus on being a critical consumer and user of research - to inform the formulation of research questions and intervention designs - whilst also recognising the key research foci, drivers, and interests in this domain.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2017
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
- Contrast instruments to evaluate the effectiveness of a range of relevant positive psychology, resilience, and wellbeing interventions
- Evaluate ethical methods in conducting research and evaluation of positive psychology, resilience, and wellbeing interventions
- Locate appropriate peer-reviewed and industry-based empirical research relevant to the positive psychology, resilience, and wellbeing domains
- Interpret contemporary research literature relevant to positive psychology, resilience, and wellbeing
- Critique current research literature, including why and how this knowledge can inform best practice
- Discern and communicate research gaps, future directions, and strategies, to enhance the body of knowledge in the positive psychology, resilience, and wellbeing domains.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Research Assignment - 25% | ||||||
| 2 - Essay - 20% | ||||||
| 3 - Online Test - 5% | ||||||
| 4 - Critical Review - 50% | ||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | ||||||
| 2 - Communication | ||||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | ||||||
| 4 - Research | ||||||
| 5 - Self-management | ||||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | ||||||
| 7 - Leadership | ||||||
| 8 - 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 | |
| 1 - Research Assignment - 25% | ||||||||
| 2 - Essay - 20% | ||||||||
| 3 - Online Test - 5% | ||||||||
| 4 - Critical Review - 50% | ||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
Additional Textbook Information
There are no prescribed books for this unit. A customised workbook will be supplied as part of the coursework.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
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.
a.mcclelland@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
What is research, and what is a researcher?
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Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
What is research, and what is a researcher?
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Events and Submissions/Topic
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What is research, and what is a researcher?
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Events and Submissions/Topic
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Understanding and personalising research.
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Events and Submissions/Topic
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Understanding and personalising research.
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Understanding and personalising research.
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Events and Submissions/Topic
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Asking questions and doing research.
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Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Asking questions and doing research.
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Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Asking questions and doing research.
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Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Asking questions and doing research.
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Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Asking questions and doing research.
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Events and Submissions/Topic
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Events and Submissions/Topic
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1 Research Assignment
In this task, you will begin the process of engaging with peer-reviewed literature in an area that interests you within the domain of Positive Psychology/wellbeing and resilience.
This assessment is in two parts, with requirements detailed below.
Part A. Post in a discussion forum on Moodle
For this part of the assessment, you will need to identify a research interest relating to an area of passion/strong interest for you in the field of Positive Psychology/wellbeing and resilience. In week 2, in the allocated Moodle discussion forum, you will state your chosen area of research interest and provide a brief description of why this area is of interest to you.
Maximum 300 words for the post
Part B. Source three relevant journal articles and write a report
For Part B, you will be required to:
1) Conduct a peer-reviewed journal article search through the CQUniversity library, and source three peer-reviewed articles relevant to the research interest you identified in your week 2 post
2) Write a brief (200-250 words per article) overview of each of your three articles including:
- Why specifically you chose the three journal articles
- The researcher(s) research question of interest
- Each article's significance to your area of interest
- The key findings in each article.
Further information will be provided in the Assessment Guide on the unit Moodle site.
Week 5 Friday (11 Aug 2017) 5:00 pm AEST
Your Moodle discussion post is due by Friday 5pm (AEST) in Week 2. The written report is due in Week 5.
Week 7 Friday (1 Sept 2017)
- Locate appropriate peer-reviewed and industry-based empirical research relevant to the positive psychology, resilience, and wellbeing domains
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Research
- Self-management
2 Essay
Drawing on the three articles you selected for Assessment 1 - relevant to your chosen area of interest - you will explore and summarise the key ‘gaps’ in the literature that could be addressed by further research. This should not be a repetition of the limitations or future directions the article/s may identify. Rather, this summary should represent a cohesive consideration of all three articles, and what these articles tell you about future research options or needs. If you desire, you may include additional articles which support/guide your comments, but this is not a compulsory requirement.
Your submission will include:
a) Detailing your area of interest. This can be copied from your forum post from week two, or modified if you have refined this since the Assessment 1
b) An analysis and summarised discussion of the ‘gaps’ in the literature that could be further explored in research, and why this suggested future research would be worthwhile. The three articles you used for Assessment 1 must be included as the basis for your written work.
c) Formulation of at least one research question, using the guiding principles covered in the unit study material in Moodle
d) In-text citations, and a reference list (APA style).
The maximum word count for this assessment task is 850 words (not including the References list).
Week 8 Friday (8 Sept 2017) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 10 Friday (22 Sept 2017)
This assignment will be assessed via a rubric, which will be available on the unit Moodle site.
You will be assessed on:
• Your critical analysis and reporting of gaps/areas for further research in the chosen literature
• Your rationale as to why the identified future research would be of benefit
• Development of a meaningful research question/s using the principles explored in the unit coursework
• The quality and conciseness of your written communication and arguments
• Correct adherence to APA style for in-text citations and the References list.
- Locate appropriate peer-reviewed and industry-based empirical research relevant to the positive psychology, resilience, and wellbeing domains
- Interpret contemporary research literature relevant to positive psychology, resilience, and wellbeing
- Critique current research literature, including why and how this knowledge can inform best practice
- Knowledge
- Research
3 Online Test
This assessment will be a short online quiz, designed to assess your understanding of fundamental ethics principles, covered in the Moodle unit content.
Week 10 Friday (22 Sept 2017) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 11 Friday (29 Sept 2017)
The quiz will be a multiple choice assessment. All ethics information relevant to the quiz will be covered in the Moodle content. You will be advised on Moodle the specific quiz requirements and scope.
- Evaluate ethical methods in conducting research and evaluation of positive psychology, resilience, and wellbeing interventions
- Knowledge
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
4 Critical Review
In this assessment, you will source and critically evaluate two published research articles. The articles sourced will be your choice, but must be:
1. Peer-reviewed and published in a reputable Journal
2. Relevant to ONE area of interest you have in the Positive Psychology/wellbeing and resilience domain, but this must be a different area of focus than your choice in Assessment 1. You will need to source two journal articles each reporting a study relevant to this chosen area, ensuring that you have not previously critiqued these journal articles in this unit or other units in this course.
Your critical review will include your responses to the following:
a) What is the predominant area of interest for the researcher/s, and why is the area considered important? (This will be the basis for your introduction).
b) What is the main research question/s in each article?
c) Compare and contrast the methodologies used by the researchers
d) What are the key findings in both publications, and do they appear to be justified?
e) What are some of the strengths and limitations of each of the research publications?
f) An evaluation of the clarity of communication in each publication
g) An evaluation of the researchers' suggestions for future research
h) An evaluation of the clarity of communication in each publication
Maximum word count: 2000 words.
Further information will be provided in the Assessment Guide and will include requirements for formatting, and the inclusion of subheadings.
Maximum word count: 2000 words.
Week 12 Friday (6 Oct 2017) 5:00 am AEST
Exam Week Friday (20 Oct 2017)
This assignment will be assessed via a rubric, which will be available on the unit Moodle site.
You will be assessed on:
• Your accuracy and reporting of the researchers' predominant research area of interest, and their research questions
• Your ability to interpret, critique and summarise the reported research findings
• The quality of your comparing and contrasting of the research methodologies used in the two journal articles
• The quality and comprehensiveness of your identification of the strengths, weaknesses, and future research directions
• Your evaluation of the clarity of the writing in the articles
• The clarity, conciseness and quality of your written communication and critical thinking
• The correct use of APA style for in-text citations and your References list.
- Contrast instruments to evaluate the effectiveness of a range of relevant positive psychology, resilience, and wellbeing interventions
- Interpret contemporary research literature relevant to positive psychology, resilience, and wellbeing
- Discern and communicate research gaps, future directions, and strategies, to enhance the body of knowledge in the positive psychology, resilience, and wellbeing domains.
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
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?
