PSYCHOL 7244 - Research Project in Health Psychology I

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2018

This is an empirically-based research project on a topic of relevance to health psychology to be pursued under the guidance of one or more supervisors at least one of who will be a Member of the College of Health Psychologists or eligible to be a Member. The project should be structured so that the students participate in all of the steps involved in the research, including the formulation of the research question(s), the design of the study including the selection of appropriate methodology, the collection and analysis of data, the interpretation of the findings, and the preparation of the report.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PSYCHOL 7244
    Course Research Project in Health Psychology I
    Coordinating Unit Psychology
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact By supervision
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites PSYCHOL 7230 and the submission of an ethics application
    Restrictions Available to M Psych (Health) students only
    Course Description This is an empirically-based research project on a topic of relevance to health psychology to be pursued under the guidance of one or more supervisors at least one of who will be a Member of the College of Health Psychologists or eligible to be a Member. The project should be structured so that the students participate in all of the steps involved in the research, including the formulation of the research question(s), the design of the study including the selection of appropriate methodology, the collection and analysis of data, the interpretation of the findings, and the preparation of the report.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Anna Chur-Hansen

    School Office
    Ms Janine Flory
    Ph 8313 1540
    Email: janine.flory@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Level 4, Hughes Building

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1.    Review and critically analyse research in a specific area of Health Psychology.
    2.    Acquire knowledge and competency in the design and completion of research studies in Health Psychology
    3.    Acquire and apply skills in critical analysis.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2,3
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1,2,3
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    2
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    2
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1,2,3
  • Learning Resources
    Recommended Resources
    The Library is a major resource centre for students. The Research Librarian for Psychology, Maureen Bell, provides some useful information through the Internet at http://libguides.adelaide.edu.au/psychology. The website contains a list of databases, links to tutorials and help with searching methods.

    For additional information relating to recommended resources please refer to the Master of Psychology (Health) Program Handbook at the following link:
    http://health.adelaide.edu.au/psychology/students/resource/handbooksforms.html
    Online Learning
    This course may use MyUni for one or more of the following:
    - Communication with students via Announcements and Discussion Board
    - Submission of assessment
    - Access to resources such as forms, templates and additional readings
    - Self-directed learning activities

    Link to MyUni: https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/

    Further information regarding this course is available in the Master of Psychology (Health) Program Handbook at the following link:
    http://health.adelaide.edu.au/psychology/students/resource/handbooksforms.html
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The Supervisor and trainee correspond regularly in formal scheduled supervision meetings. The amount of supervision required will depend on the development needs of the trainee and the stage of progression of the research project.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    1)    Research Project summary (1000 words)
    2)    A Gantt chart which indicates key steps of the project and their approximate duration and dates of commencement and completion
    3)    A statement from the student’s internal supervisor in support of the student’s submissionThese tasks should constitute approximately 144 hours of a student’s workload in any given semester.
    Learning Activities Summary
    As this subject involves research no formal lectures are mandated. The Learning Activities depend upon the nature of the research project and developmental needs of the trainee.  The Learning Activities reflect the Learning Outcomes stated.
    Specific Course Requirements
    On the initial enrolment into this Master’s program, all students (unless already a Registered Psychologist) MUST apply for and obtain provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.  All students are required to provide a copy of their registration details to the Program Administrator on their first day in the Program: this will be required for the Summer School courses Interviewing & Intervention and Evidence-Based Practice. The application form and details of fees payable are available from the PBA website: http://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/Forms.aspx.

    Candidates are required to consent to a police check as part of their application to the Psychology Board of Australia for Provisional Registration, a requirement of enrolment in the program. A satisfactory current police check is a mandatory requirement for acceptance to and continuation within the program.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Assessment Type Weighting Learning outcome(s) being addressed
    Summary of the reserach project of 1000 words Summative Not applicable (NGP) All
    A Gantt chart which indicates key steps of the project and their approximate duration and dates of commencement and completion Summative Not applicable (NGP) All
    Assessment Detail
    Details will be made available on MyUni.
    Submission
    In the case of an unsatisfactory performance in this subject the student will be given an opportunity to do further work to revise and complete the summary of the research project of 1000 words and the Gantt Chart to an acceptable standard.

    For further information please refer to the Assessment Policy in the  Master of Psychology  (Health) Program Handbook at the following link:
    http://health.adelaide.edu.au/psychology/students/resource/handbooksforms.html
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    GS8 (Coursework Grade Scheme)
    Grade Description
    CN Continuing
    FNS Fail No Submission
    NFE No Formal Examination
    F Fail
    NGP Non Graded Pass
    P Pass
    C Credit
    D Distinction
    HD High Distinction
    RP Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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