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PSY436 Research Project (24)

Abstract

In this subject, students implement a piece of research in an applied setting and present a formal report of their findings. Students are exposed to the phases of quantitative and qualitative research design and issues of ethical standards in research. In conjunction with an assigned supervisor, students then develop a research proposal, implement the proposed research and present a formal report of their findings. The research projects are conducted in groups, however each individual student will produce a research proposal and final report.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Session 1
Online*Bathurst Campus
Session 2
OnlineBathurst Campus
*This subject offering contains a residential school. Please view following information for further details.
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: PSY436
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration Grading System School:
Two sessionsHD/FLSchool of Psychology

Enrolment restrictions

B Psychology (4th year) and PostGrad Dip Psychology students only. Not available to students who have completed PSY406.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of why research is important to practicing psychologists
- be able to develop a research proposal for implementation in an applied setting
- be able to demonstrate their research skills by designing, carrying out and reporting a piece of empirical research.

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:
- Design of psychological research in an applied setting - Theoretical and methodological issues in qualitative and quantitative research, including the strengths and limitations of different research methods - An overview of epistemological debates concerning the nature of psychological research - Ethics in psychological research - Training in data analysis for qualitative and quantitative research - Students produce an individual report based on a group research project

Residential School

This subject contains a compulsory 4 day residential school. A residential school will be required early in February to ensure students have a recent overview of qualitative and quantitative research methods, have established an effective understanding with their supervisor (and co-workers if in a group project) and a framework for communication over the year, know what is required of them to produce a workable research project and proposal and are equipped to get ethics approval for their research. Students may arrange additional meeting times with their supervisor and the other members of their group project during the year. The first two of the four days will include an overview of qualitative and quantitative research methods, research design, data analytic techniques and ethical issues in research. The second two days will be run in small groups by supervisors who will use that time to help the students develop a workable research question and design, introduce them to relevant literature and set up timelines and an appropriate framework for communication over the year.

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The information contained in the 2017 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 25 August 2017. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.