Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

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 faculty.

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 (hurdle requirement).
A two-hour open book multiple choice examination (held in Semester 1)on all topics covered in the statistics and research design program (15%); Literature review of 4000-5000 words (25%); and Research report prepared as an article for publication - 5000-7000 words (60%).

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Louise McLean

Contact hours

24 hours per week (2 x 2hr weekly lectures and fortnightly tutorial in Semester One). 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.

Prohibitions

PSY4518