BEHV 4004 Psychology Research Thesis

Credit Points 30

Legacy Code 102528

Coordinator Cindy Harmon-Jones Opens in new window

Description In this subject students investigate a substantive individual research question relevant to the discipline of psychology. Under guidance from supervisors, students engage with all components of psychological research, including conducting a comprehensive literature review, forming an individual research question, developing research methodology to test the question, obtaining ethics approval, and collecting and analysing data. Students produce a written literature review and substantive thesis in the form of a submission-ready journal article. Note that this is a 30 credit point year-long subject taken over two terms (15 credit points in each term).

School Psychology

Discipline Behavioural Science

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 15cp

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 4 subject

Co-requisite(s) BEHV 4006

Equivalent Subjects LGYB 5257 - Psychology (Honours) FT YL LGYB 5258 - Psychology (Honours) PT YL BEHV 4003 - Empirical Research Project

Restrictions

This subject is restricted to students enrolled in programs: 1796 Graduate Diploma in Psychology, 1865 Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), 1860 Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Honours), 1905 Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours), 1504 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Psychology, 1500 Bachelor of Psychology (continuing) who have successfully completed 240 credit points including the 160 credit point core sequence in Psychology, 1834 Bachelor of Psychology/1865 Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) students who have successfully completed 240 credit points including the 120 credit point core sequence in Psychology and the 40 credit point Psychology Extension minor prior to 2022 or for students who commenced 1865 Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from 2022, students must have successfully completed 240 credit points including the 140 credit point core sequence in Psychology.

Assumed Knowledge

Students must have completed an accredited three-year sequence in psychology, or equivalent.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Apply advanced bibliographic and information literacy skills to locate and select literature appropriate to a chosen and research topic.
  2. Apply conceptual skills to formulate and justify a research proposal.
  3. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and application skills associated with a chosen, relevant research method.
  4. Adhere to the ethical processes and guidelines of the research institution the conduct and reporting of research.
  5. Accurately apply appropriate methods of data analysis to research data.
  6. Demonstrate rigor in drawing and defending conclusions from research findings in a coherently written research thesis.

Subject Content

Completion of a research Thesis relevant to the field of psychology based on a rigorous design and scrutinized proposal.
Under supervision, an individual student will perform a literature search of their research topic, develop a research design, develop research procedures, make observations, collect and analyse the data and write a thesis on the study.

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Type Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Literature Review 3,000 words S/U Y Individual
Thesis 6,000-7,000 words 100 N Individual

Prescribed Texts

  • American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association : The official guide to APA style (7th ed.). American Psychological Association.

Teaching Periods

Spring (2023)

Bankstown City

On-site

Subject Contact Cindy Harmon-Jones Opens in new window

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Penrith (Kingswood)

On-site

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Parramatta - Victoria Rd

On-site

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Autumn (2024)

Bankstown City

On-site

Subject Contact Cindy Harmon-Jones Opens in new window

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Penrith (Kingswood)

On-site

Subject Contact Cindy Harmon-Jones Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window

Parramatta - Victoria Rd

On-site

Subject Contact Cindy Harmon-Jones Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window

Spring (2024)

Bankstown City

On-site

Subject Contact Cindy Harmon-Jones Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window

Penrith (Kingswood)

On-site

Subject Contact Cindy Harmon-Jones Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window

Parramatta - Victoria Rd

On-site

Subject Contact Cindy Harmon-Jones Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window