Honours in Psychology

Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) Psychology

Prerequisites

Completion of an ordinary degree program pursued over 3 years of full-time study (or more, on a part-time basis) with a major in Psychology in Health Sciences, Arts, Social Sciences, Science, Commerce, Economics, or Mathematics and Computer Science. It is also part of the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) program.

The course, PSYCHOL 4000A/B Honours Psychology, is available as a program of study for the Honours degree of Bachelor of Health Sciences .

Selection into the Honours program is based on academic performance. Application forms and the 2010 Introductory Handbook will be available on this website in August.

International Students need to apply via the International Office

Program Outline:

Honours Psychology is taken as a full-time program over one year. To complete the course, candidates are required to undertake an examination in the compulsory topic “Critical Issues in Contemporary Psychology”, take examinations in four options, and present for examination a thesis that reports a research project carried out under supervision

Assessment Procedure

There are three major components of assessment:

• a thesis (no more than 12,000 words). The thesis is an exercise for initial training in designing, conducting and duly reporting an independent research project under supervision;
  
  
• an examination taken from the compulsory topic “Critical Issues in Contemporary Psychology” in Semester 1, and
  
  
• four examinations in the official examination periods.

The following weights are current:

• Thesis 50%
• Examinations in optional topics 40%
• Critical Issues 10%

Marking Scheme

Honours examinations are graded using the following system:

First Class Honours

Band 1 (90+%)

This is an outstanding thesis that shows clear evidence of original and independent thought. The writing is clear and concise, the presentation is of a high standard, and there are no shortcomings. It demonstrates excellence in the conceptualisation of the project, and unquestionable competence in its execution. There is a clear theoretical framework, an understanding of the literature leading to the derivation of hypotheses, the use of rigorous or innovative methodology, and a mastery of statistical or qualitative analytical methods. There is a capacity to discuss the results in an analytic manner and skilful treatment of any unexpected or inconsistent results, a recognition of any limitations in the methodology, and an integration of the findings with the theoretical framework in the introduction. The level of original, critical and creative thinking, and its sophistication make it clearly the best work that can be expected in an Honours year.

Band 2 (85% – 90%)

The thesis is similar to the above, but with some trivial weaknesses. Errors of understanding or analysis are non-existent or trivial. It has the same qualities of imagination, command of the problem, and competence of execution, but with less originality of thought. Limitations of design or procedures are recognised by the student and remedies are suggested. There is a clear grasp of the problem and its issues, and competence in the execution of the project. The thesis is characterised by clarity of exposition, critical insight, and analytical thought of a substantial level of conceptual complexity. There will be evidence of originality in the conceptualisation of issues and/or the interpretation of the results. The writing is clear and concise, although there may be some minor weakness in presentation.

Band 3 (80% – 84%)

The thesis is generally excellent, presents a clear argument, and is well written. The sections fit together to form a coherent, well-argued whole. The analyses are appropriate, well carried out and well interpreted. There is less evidence of originality of thought than shown by the higher gradings. Some parts of the thesis are excellent, and any shortcomings are minor.

Second Class Honours

Level A – 2A (70 % – 79% )

Theses towards the higher end provide evidence of competence in handling the research project, but there is less evidence of originality or independent thought, and a less inspired grasp of the issues or methods. There is sound, thorough, and clear treatment of all aspects of the problem, and no serious flaws in knowledge, comprehension, or application. The thesis is generally sound and well written, with well-structured arguments leading to a development of the hypotheses, appropriate methodology and analysis, and an accurate interpretation of the results.

Theses towards the lower end demonstrate competence in handling the research project, and there is adequate treatment of all phases from identification of the problem to the interpretation of the results. There may be minor errors in understanding the issues, in the data analysis, or in the interpretation of the results. The writing is generally competent, but there may be a tendency to fail to grasp the full implications of the argument or the results.

Second Class Honours

Level B – 2B (60 % – 69 % )

The thesis meets the basic requirements for the conduct and reporting of psychological research, although there may be clear inadequacies in the handling of one or more phases of the project, or in understanding of the rationale and implications for the project. There may be critical misconceptions, inconsistencies, or omissions in one or more areas, or poor organization, or misinterpretation of results, or inability to recognize the limitations of the methodology. These misconceptions are such that they do not affect the basic thrust of the thesis or its conceptual impact.

Third Class Honours

3 (50 % – 59 % )

The thesis does not demonstrate evidence that the student has developed levels of proficiency in the program objectives. The thesis contains a number of misconceptions, inconsistencies, omissions, or unrecognized deficiencies in methodology, or a misinterpretation of the analysis and lack of integration with the theoretical framework. The literature review may be simplistic or limited. It may be written in such a way that it is very difficult for the marker to ascertain the nature or significance of the problem or project.

Honours not awarded

The thesis cannot be considered as a serious attempt to complete the basic requirements of a fourth year thesis. Evidence may be lacking that there was a suitable project, that it was conducted adequately, or that an appropriate literature review was undertaken. There may be major problems in conceptualisation or execution, or in ability to present arguments coherently and with clarity.

The Honours Examiners’ Committee meets after all results have been submitted. This Committee, comprising all examiners able to be present, considers all marks of all candidates completing the course in that year (those of candidates in the first year of a two-year enrolment are not considered). Its main task is, after detailed analysis of performance across products, to decide where to locate the boundaries separating Class I and IIA, and, again, IIA and IIB.

Supervision

The thesis supervisor will guide the choice of a project and the methods to be used. He or she will also advise on the analysis of data and about writing up the final thesis.

All students will have an internal supervisor who has the responsibility to monitor the feasibility and appropriateness of the project before its commencement, and its progress as it proceeds. Candidates gathering data for their theses from external sources e.g. schools, must have a letter of introduction signed by the Head of the School. This should be arranged through the thesis supervisor. (The Head may see it as appropriate experience for the candidate to compose the initial draft, which the Head may revise, if necessary).

Joint Supervision within the School

The division of responsibility for supervision in the case of joint supervisors should be resolved by mutual agreement at the outset of the project and spelled out for the clear understanding of the candidate (as well as of the supervisors).

External Supervision

Where the work for a thesis is done outside the School and supervised by other than a School staff member, the following procedures are intended to apply in 2010:

• All such theses will have an internal and an external supervisor.
  
  
• While the study may be formulated and designed in consultation with the external supervision, final responsibility for accepting the thesis design, procedures, data analysis, and for monitoring the student's progress rests entirely with the internal supervisor.
  
  
• The internal supervisor will meet with the student and external supervisor together not less than three times (at least twice in the first semester) to discuss the work of the thesis. A note of the details of these meetings should be given to the Honours Coordinator: video conferences or 3-way telephone calls are acceptable.
  
  
• The internal supervisor will be consulted if publication of the data is considered.