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PSYC20038 - Positive Psychology: Research Methods

General Information

Unit Synopsis

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

Level Postgraduate
Unit Level 8
Credit Points 6
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 4
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0.125
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites There are no pre-requisites for the 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).

Class Timetable View Unit Timetable
Residential School No Residential School

Unit Availabilities from Term 2 - 2020

Term 2 - 2020 Profile
Online
Term 2 - 2021 Profile
Online
Term 2 - 2022 Profile
Online
Term 2 - 2023 Profile
Online
Term 2 - 2024 Profile
Online
Term 2 - 2025 Profile
Online
Term 2 - 2026 Profile
Online

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).

Assessment Overview

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.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task Weighting
1. Research Assignment 25%
2. Essay 20%
3. Online Test 5%
4. Critical Review 50%

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

Past Exams

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Previous Feedback

No previous feedback available

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.

Source: Unit Coordinator reflections and emails from students.
Feedback
Some students struggled with following the written assessment task instructions and did not submit all assessment components.
Recommendation
The Unit Coordinator and teaching team will review and revise the written assessment task instructions, as well as develop some short video demonstrations with tips and reminders about completing and submitting all assessment components.
Action Taken
The written assessment task instructions were revised to enhance clarity, and videos containing tips and reminders about completing all assessment components were provided to students.
Source: Student Unit and Teacher Evaluation responses and emails from students.
Feedback
Students found the unit interesting and valued the research knowledge and skills gained in the unit.
Recommendation
The Unit Coordinator will maintain the unit content and its focus on research literacy skills development, while also continually monitoring for contemporary relevancy.
Action Taken
The focus of the unit content on research literacy skills development was maintained, and content updates made to reflect contemporary developments related to ethics in research.
Source: Student Unit and Teacher Evaluation responses and emails from students.
Feedback
Students appreciated the enthusiasm of the Unit Coordinator and the learning support provided.
Recommendation
The Unit Coordinator will maintain this supportive and enthusiastic approach to teaching.
Action Taken
The Unit Coordinator continued to use an enthusiastic and supportive approach to teaching delivery in this unit.
Source: Reflections of the Unit Coordinator and the teaching team; student performance.
Feedback
Students who utilised formative feedback opportunities tended to perform well on written assessments.
Recommendation
The Unit Coordinator will continue to offer formative feedback opportunities and will provide timely reminders to students about utilising these chances for additional support.
Action Taken
In Progress
Source: Student Unit and Teacher Evaluation responses and student emails.
Feedback
Students appreciated the positive and supportive approach used by the Unit Coordinator.
Recommendation
The Unit Coordinator and teaching team will continue to use a positive and supportive approach in the delivery of this unit.
Action Taken
In Progress
Unit learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Contrast instruments to evaluate the effectiveness of a range of relevant positive psychology, resilience, and wellbeing interventions
  2. Evaluate ethical methods in conducting research and evaluation of positive psychology, resilience, and wellbeing interventions
  3. Locate appropriate peer-reviewed and industry-based empirical research relevant to the positive psychology, resilience, and wellbeing domains
  4. Interpret contemporary research literature relevant to positive psychology, resilience, and wellbeing
  5. Critique current research literature, including why and how this knowledge can inform best practice
  6. 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 •
2 - Essay • • •
3 - Online Test •
4 - Critical Review • • •
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
• Professional Level
• Advanced Level
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 •
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
• Professional Level
• Advanced Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8
1 - Research Assignment • • • •
2 - Essay • •
3 - Online Test • •
4 - Critical Review • •