Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 100983

Coordinator Emilee Gilbert Opens in new window

Description This is a 20 credit point year-long subject taken over two terms (10 credit points in each term). The aim of this subject is to advance students' awareness, and critical appreciation of interrelated research processes: epistemological frameworks of research; the appropriate interpretation of research data; ethical issues in the conduct of research; the cultural, social, economic, and political contexts of research; and Indigenous Australian knowledges and research practices. Skills will be consolidated in the use of quantitative and qualitative research designs, methods, and analysis techniques to address research questions in psychology and the behavioural sciences.

School Psychology

Discipline Psychology

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 4 subject

Equivalent Subjects BEHV 4002 - Empirical Research Methods Seminar

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in programs 1796 Graduate Diploma of Psychology, 1865 Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), 1860 Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Honours), 1905 Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours), 1504 Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) Honours, or 1500/1834 Bachelor of Psychology. Students enrolled in 1500/1834 Bachelor of Psychology or 1865 Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) must have successfully completed 240 credit points.

Assumed Knowledge

Undergraduate subjects in research methods for psychology including an advanced research methods subject.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Characterise and critique the philosophical and methodological differences between qualitative and quantitative research
2. Accurately apply qualitative methods and analysis techniques to psychological data
3. Accurately apply multivariate quantitative techniques to psychological data using SPSS/PASW analysis software
4. Discriminate between epistemological positions in psychology and describe their alignment to methodological approaches
5. Evaluate and propose ethical research approaches in cultural, social, economic, and political contexts, including from Indigenous Australian perspectives
6. Synthesise and communicate research processes and findings in written reports according to the guidelines of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association

Subject Content

The research process
Ontological and epistemological bases of different approaches to research
Interpreting research data and research results
Overview of qualitative research methods, with the option for advanced instruction in selected methods (e.g., discourse analysis)
Overview of quantitative research methods, with options for advanced instruction of selected methods (e.g., factor analysis)
Statistical significance, effect size, and power analysis
Ethical issues in research
The social, economic, and political context of research, including the professional responsibilities of researchers
Communicating research: writing research proposals, theses, dissertations, and journal articles.