PSYCHOL 7419 - MClinPsych (Defence) Res Project II

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

Empirically based clinical research projects of direct relevance to the field of Clinical Psychology will be pursued under the control of one or more supervisors appointed by the faculty (at least one of whom shall be a member of the School of Psychology). The research project must take the form of one or more of the following: a program evaluation study; a critical review, pilot study and full grant application; a critical review and a meta analysis; a critical review and a secondary data analysis; a traditional empirical research project; a literature review and an article suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed international scientific journal.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PSYCHOL 7419
    Course MClinPsych (Defence) Res Project II
    Coordinating Unit Psychology
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Arranged with supervisor
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites PSYCHOL 7401EX, PSYCHOL 7402, PSYCHOL 7403, PSYCHOL 7407
    Restrictions Available to MClinPsych (Defence) students only
    Course Description Empirically based clinical research projects of direct relevance to the field of Clinical Psychology will be pursued under the control of one or more supervisors appointed by the faculty (at least one of whom shall be a member of the School of Psychology). The research project must take the form of one or more of the following:

    a program evaluation study; a critical review, pilot study and full grant application; a critical review and a meta analysis; a critical review and a secondary data analysis; a traditional empirical research project; a literature review and an article suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed international scientific journal.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Jane Mortimer

    School of Psychology Office
    Ms Jessica Venning
    Phone: +61 8313 4934 
    Email: jessica.venning@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Room 415, Hughes Building
    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    At the successful completion of this course students will be able to:

    1.    Review and analyse critically research in clinical psychology.
    2.    Acquire knowledge and competency in the design and completion of research studies in clinical 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)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1,2
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1,2
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1-3
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1-3
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 3
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1-3
  • 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 please refer to the relevant Master of Psychology 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 additional readings
    - Self-directed learning activities

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


  • 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 literature review and research project.
    Workload

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

    1)    Literature Review (4000-5000 words)
    2)    Research Project Report ( 5000-8000 words)

    These tasks should constitute approximately 6 months of full-time student work (or the equivalent).
    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 one of the 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
    Literature Review (4000-5000 words) Summative 30% All
    Research project report Summative 70% All
    Assessment Detail
    The assessment tasks outlined below are used to assess the Learning Outcomes specified in 2.1.
    1)    A critical review of the literature in an area of Clinical Psychology relevant to the Research Project (4000-5000 words)
    2)    A Research Project Report in an area of relevance to Clinical Psychology ( 5000-8000 words)

    The Research Project should be of a standard that is publishable in a peer-reviewed journal. The two assessment tasks are examined by two independent examiners with suitable knowledge and expertise concerning the general topic of the research project.
    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 required assessment tasks to a satisfactory standard.  

    For further information re the Assessment Policy please refer to the Master of Clinical Psychology (Defence) 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:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    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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