CQUniversity Unit Profile
PSYC22004 Thesis II
Thesis II
All details in this unit profile for PSYC22004 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.
General Information

Overview

This unit is part of the sequence of units that culminates in the degree of Master in Clinical Psychology. This unit is intended to provide supervision and knowledge necessary for carrying out and finalising a thesis project. It is also intended to help the student inculcate research skills necessary for working as a Clinical Psychologist.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 9
Credit Points: 12
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.25

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

PSYC22003 Thesis I

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 - 2018

Rockhampton

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 12-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 25 hours of study per week, making a total of 300 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

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

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 100%

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

Submission of three hard copies of the thesis is difficult for some students.

Recommendation

In line with the Honours Thesis, only one online copy of the thesis is to be submitted. Hard copy theses are no longer necessary.

Feedback from Student feedback

Feedback

Timelines for submitting components of the thesis need revising.

Recommendation

Timelines have been revised to allow more time for students to compete tasks and will be assessed again at the end of 2018.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Utilise research knowledge and skills applicable to working from a scientist - practitioner base as a clinical psychologist.
  2. Apply systematic inquiry skills to clinical problems including problem identification, and the acquisition, organisation and interpretation of information to allow critical analysis and disciplined, rigorous, careful and scientific inquiry of the psychological phenomena.
  3. Generate hypotheses of relevance to clinical practice and operationalise these into testable research questions.
  4. Demonstrate a high level knowledge of qualitative and / or quantitative design and methods, including the systematic collection of data and the subsequent skilled analysis of data allowing accurate interpretation of findings
  5. Utilise skills of critical evaluation to identify and evaluate research literature.
  6. Incorporate a knowledge of ethical and professional matters into the research process.
  7. Apply high level written communication skills and an awareness of professional writing styles to the production of the final thesis.

These learning outcomes align with the research competency requirements of the APAC standards

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 5 6 7
1 - Written Assessment - 100%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
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 - Written Assessment - 100%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

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
Schedule
Week 1: Getting Started Begin Date: 09 Jul 2018

Module/Topic


Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic




Week 2: Have you found the journal you will be targeting? Begin Date: 16 Jul 2018

Module/Topic

It is important to prepare your research report in the format for your targeted journal. This will facilitate publication and streamline your time and effort.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3: Undertaking components of the thesis Begin Date: 23 Jul 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4: Undertaking components of the thesis Begin Date: 30 Jul 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5: Undertaking components of the thesis Begin Date: 06 Aug 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 13 Aug 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6: Preparing your research report Begin Date: 20 Aug 2018

Module/Topic

By now the research report should be in progress. Your Introduction and Methods should be complete

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7: Residential Intensive Thesis workshop. Begin Date: 27 Aug 2018

Module/Topic

We will use this workshop to go through sections of your thesis. This may be writing, preparing your appendices, or Table of Contents.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8: Undertaking components of the thesis Begin Date: 03 Sep 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9: Undertaking components of the thesis - three weeks to go Begin Date: 10 Sep 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10: A full draft of your thesis should be almost ready Begin Date: 17 Sep 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11: Supervisors' comments must be integrated by this date. Begin Date: 24 Sep 2018

Module/Topic

Final comments must have been given and integrated at the end of this week.

 Don't forget to leave time to edit your thesis

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12: Thesis submitted October 6th at 5:00pm AEST 2018. Begin Date: 01 Oct 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Submission of Online thesis via the Moodle site, Friday 6th October at 5.00PM AEST.


Thesis Due: Week 12 Friday (5 Oct 2018) 5:00 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 08 Oct 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 15 Oct 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Thesis

Task Description

Students are to submit their entire thesis (which comprises, the Literature Review and the Empirical Research Report) online via Moodle. Hard copy theses are no longer required but copies may be requested by supervisors for their records.

Specific details about the thesis, structure, timelines and submission information are detailed in the Thesis Manual which is available on the Moodle site.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (5 Oct 2018) 5:00 pm AEST

Onine submission via Moodle


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (19 Oct 2018)

Feedback provided via Moodle


Weighting
100%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Assessment criteria are detailed in the Thesis Manual, which is on the Moodle site for this unit. The thesis must include:

§ A literature review (5000 words plus / minus 10%, not including abstract and references) which is worth 30% of the overall Thesis grade.

§ An empirical report written as an article suitable for submission to a peer reviewed international scientific journal. The length of the report will depend on the specifications of the journal that is being targeted but is generally between 3000-5000 words. The empirical report is worth 70% of the overall Thesis grade.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Utilise research knowledge and skills applicable to working from a scientist - practitioner base as a clinical psychologist.
  • Apply systematic inquiry skills to clinical problems including problem identification, and the acquisition, organisation and interpretation of information to allow critical analysis and disciplined, rigorous, careful and scientific inquiry of the psychological phenomena.
  • Generate hypotheses of relevance to clinical practice and operationalise these into testable research questions.
  • Demonstrate a high level knowledge of qualitative and / or quantitative design and methods, including the systematic collection of data and the subsequent skilled analysis of data allowing accurate interpretation of findings
  • Utilise skills of critical evaluation to identify and evaluate research literature.
  • Incorporate a knowledge of ethical and professional matters into the research process.
  • Apply high level written communication skills and an awareness of professional writing styles to the production of the final thesis.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

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?