Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 101814

Coordinator Fran Doyle Opens in new window

Description The ability to understand and critique empirical research findings, and to evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic interventions, is essential to the professional psychologist as a scientist-practitioner. This unit equips students with advanced skills in utilising the research literature to guide and enhance their professional practice, design interventions to test clinically relevant hypotheses, and critically evaluate the effectiveness of existing research based on empirical evidence. It includes instruction in both quantitative and qualitative research design, program evaluation, single case designs and pilot studies.

School Psychology

Discipline Psychology

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Equivalent Subjects LGYA 0492 - Advanced Research Design

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in 1546 Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), 1812 Master of Clinical Psychology or 1814 Master of Professional Psychology.

Assumed Knowledge

Years 1-4 Undergraduate psychology level research design, methods, and analysis.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Recognise research design and methodology as a way of thinking, problem-solving, and approaching substantive clinically-relevant research questions (APAC GA: 3.2).
2. Evaluate and critique theoretical and applied literature to inform research evidence-based practice (APAC GA: 3.16, 4.2.1i & 4.2.3iv).
3. Evaluate a range of research methodologies to design a project that assesses clinical outcomes in psychology practice, including relevant transdisciplinary research for inter-professional practice (APAC GA: 3.9 & 3.17).
4. Conduct and report on a single case design project in relation to a clinically relevant area (APAC GA: 3.8 & 3.17).

Subject Content

Evidence-Based Practice and principles of research design and implementation.
Program and service evaluation.
Single-case experimental designs (SCEDs).
Pilot studies, assessing feasibility and acceptability.
Quasi-experimental designs and Randomised Control Trials.
Systematic Reviews, Meta-analysis, and Clinical Practice Guidelines and transdisciplinary research.
Qualitative Research Designs and Analyses.
Designing a project or developing an assessment process in professional psychology practice.