BHS2110 - Researching Behaviour: Principles and Practice

Leader: TBA

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2007 (Day)
Clayton First semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

Students will be introduced to the practice of behavioural research through the development of a research proposal in an area of their choice. The proposal will draw on the student's own interests and incorporate material presented in the seminar series. Topics to be covered in the seminar series include: ethics in research involving humans, research design; sampling, data collection, analysis and interpretation, reporting of findings and statistical concepts.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit students will be able to demonstrate:

1. a broad understanding of the main stages and tasks of behavioural research.
2. a broad understanding of the basic practical and ethical issues surrounding the conduct of behavioural research.
3. the skills to produce a well-structured proposal for a small behavioural research project on a topic of their own choice.

Assessment

Research proposal (3000) : 55%
2 x 1-hour tests (1500) : 45%
Third year students will be expected to demonstrate a greater degree of theoretical understanding and more sophisticated analysis in their written work than second year students.

Contact hours

2 hours per week (1 x 2-hour seminar)

Prerequisites

BHS1711 and BHS1712 or permission

Prohibitions

BHS3110