PSY4518 - Research Project

Leader(s): Dr Gordon Walker

Offered

Caulfield Full year 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Full year 2009 (Off-campus)
Caulfield Second semester to First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester to First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Singapore Full year 2009 (Off-campus)
Singapore Second semester to First semester 2009 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This unit covers all aspects of the conduct of research. Students undertake a study program in statistics and research design and under the guidance of a staff member plan an independent research project. This project involves designing research in relation to previous work on the topic of the study, gaining ethical approval for data collection or use of data, data gathering, data entry and analysis using appropriate statistical techniques, and the preparation of a research report and a literature review according to the specifications of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. The research report is to be submitted in a format ready
for publication. The research process is monitored and guided by a research supervisor who is a member of the teaching faculties.

Objectives

Upon completion of this unit students will be able to appreciate the role of scientific
research in the field of psychology, understand how to evaluate the validity of research conclusions, collect, analyse and interpret data related to their independent research project, correctly apply the appropriate statistical methods for designs commonly encountered in psychological research, identify ethical issues that can arise in research in psychology and how theses are to be addressed, use an appropriate statistical package for analyzing research data, such as the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), produce an assessable research report in a ready to publish format according to the specifications of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association and produce a literature review to an acceptable standard on the topic of their search.

Assessment

Research proposal - oral presentation in the case of on-campus students and a written
presentation in the case of off-campus students (hurdle requirement).
A two-hour open book multiple choice examination on all topics covered in the statistics and research design program (15 %).
Literature review of 4000-5000 words (25%).
Research report prepared as an article for publication - 5000-7000 words (60%).

Contact hours

24 hours per week of each semester.
The statistical analysis and research design component of the unit consists of a two hour lecture and a two hour tutorial in the case of on-campus students and a workshop program of 2.5 days together with an independent study program in the case of off-campus students. This will take place in Semester 1. Each student also plans, carries out and writes up an individual research project under the supervision of a staff member. In conjunction with this, students undertake an extensive literature
review in the area of their research. The research is conducted over two semesters.

Co-requisites

PSY4510