Leader: Dr Penny Hasking

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2008 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This unit is the first of the formal requirements for completion of the Research Thesis in Master of Psychology (Health). Students will be introduced to research design issues and common methods for conducting quantitative and qualitative research in health psychology. Students will also begin the process of identifying a feasible, realistic and appropriate research project which makes a specific contribution to the health psychology literature. Students will be instructed in common problems reviewing the research literature on a health psychology topic and supervised to complete their own literature review on a specific topic. They will also complete and submit a research proposal.

Objectives

On completion of this unit students will:

1. Demonstrate their ability to conduct an appropriately thorough and, where necessary, interdisciplinary review of research and theory in a particular area;
2. Understand the theoretical basis behind their research topic and chosen research design;
3. Write to an appropriate academic standard by incorporating existing research findings and supervisor feedback;
4. Work collaboratively with a research supervisor to identify an appropriate and realistic research proposal;
5. Anticipate the realities of issues related to their research proposal (e.g., the feasibility of their project, possible research sites, participant recruitment methods, ethical issues.

Assessment

Literature review, 4,000-5000 words (hurdle requirement)
Written research proposal, 2,000 words (hurdle requirement)
Progress report (hurdle requirement).

Off Campus Attendance Requirements

Attendance at workshops on research design.

Prerequisites

MHP5011, MHP5051, MHP5032, MHP5052, MHP5062, or MHP5071, MHP5082, MHP5072

Co-requisites

MHP5081

Prohibitions

MHP5093