EDF4604 - Research project - 2017

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 or methodologies, the preparation of a research report and a literature review according to the specifications of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA).

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. appreciate the role of scientific research in the field of psychology
2. describe, apply and evaluate the different research methods used by psychologists
3. describe the strategies and processes involved in program evaluation
4. understand how to evaluate the validity of research conclusions
5. collect, analyse and interpret data related to their independent research project
6. correctly apply the appropriate statistical methods for designs commonly encountered in psychological research
7. identify ethical issues that can arise in research in psychology and how these are to be addressed
8. use an appropriate statistical package for analysing research data, such as the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)
9. produce an assessable research project in a format consistent with the specifications of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA)
10. produce a literature review to an acceptable standard on the topic of their research.

Examination (2-hour short answer and multiple choice, taken in the first semester of the unit) and two short-answer assignments on all topics covered in the statistics and research design program (4000 words equivalent, 15%)

and

Research project, comprising an oral presentation of the research proposal and either:

a report written in APA format (report should include a substantial literature review and may take the final form of a traditional thesis) (9000-12,000 words, 85%)

or

a literature review (4000-5000 words, 25%) accompanied by a report of the research presented in the format of a peer-reviewed scientific journal article (5000-7000 words, 60%)

Minimum total expected workload equals 288 hours per semester comprising:

1. Contact hours for on-campus students: The statistics and research methodology component of the unit consists of:
   • 12 x 2-hour lectures
   • 6 x 1-hour fortnightly tutorials
2. Additional requirements
   • independent study to make up the minimum required hours per week
   • 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.

See also Unit timetable information

Dr Louise McLean

PSY4518