Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 101190

Coordinator Emma Walter Opens in new window

Description This subject covers the conceptual underpinnings of research in psychology, including methodologies such as experimental, quasi-experimental, non-experimental and qualitative research. Conducting ethical research will be covered, including consideration of how research participants are positioned, issues related to research with diverse populations, as well research validity. Skills for writing research proposals and reports according to the conventions of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) are developed.

School Psychology

Discipline Behavioural Science, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 1 subject

Learning Outcomes

1. Define and explain basic terminology, logic and procedures used in qualitative and quantitative research (APAC Graduate Attribute 1.1i, 1.1xii, 1.3)
2. Identify and apply appropriate criteria to evaluate research approaches and findings, including ethics and diversity considerations, including for Indigenous Australians (APAC GA 1.1xi, 1.1xii, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4)
3. Select and explain appropriate research skills for problems under investigation in psychology (APAC GA 1.1xii, 1.3)
4. Explain alignment of analytical procedures with research methods (APAC GA 1.1xii)
5. Demonstrate the capacity to design basic research, individually and as part of a group (APAC GA 1.1xii, 1.5, 1.6)
6. Demonstrate academic writing skills using the American Psychological Association (APA) structure and formatting conventions (APAC GA 1.3, 1.6)

Subject Content

1. The scientific method and psychology: Why study research methods?
2. Epistemology and research paradigms: Constructivism, positivism, realism
3. Overview of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods
4. Qualitative research I: Key approaches (e.g. grounded theory, phenomenology)
5. Qualitative research II: Qual research design and techniques in data analysis
6. Quantitative research I: Research hypotheses; IVs and DVs
7. Quantitative research II: Research design; experimental and correlational
8. Quantitative research III: Sampling and hypothesis testing
9. Quantitative research IV: Descriptive statistics; central tendency and variance
10. Writing research proposals and reports
11. Research validity: Threats to internal and external validity, controlling extraneous variables
12. Research ethics and diverse populations