PSYCHOL 1007 - Technology in Psychological Research and Practice

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025

This course aims to develop student knowledge and skills in area of technology as it applies to psychological research and practice. Course material will cover the following areas: cyber-psychology or the study of human-computer interactions; technology in childhood and adolescence; online safety and security; psychological research into the effects of the Internet and social media on psychological wellbeing and social relationships; ethical issues in cyber-environments; and the role of new technology as a tool for research and professional practice. Students will learn how data collected through every day commercial and social media sites and other Internet interactions is increasingly being used to profile individuals and study human behaviour in commercial and security contexts. Online environments provide new ways to conduct large-scale psychological studies as well as new vehicles through which to provide therapeutic interventions with clients (e.g., brief interventions) and to reach geographically dispersed populations or vulnerable groups who may not have previously accessed services. Students will be given opportunities to apply their skills to apply their technology and research skills to conduct a research project which will be presented in the form of a web site.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PSYCHOL 1007
    Course Technology in Psychological Research and Practice
    Coordinating Unit Psychology
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Restrictions B. Psychology (Honours) (Advanced) students
    Assessment Participation, written essay and project, exam
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Christopher Bean

    Course Timetable

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

    A full schedule of activities will be available on the course MyUni site.
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    1 Explain application of technology in psychological research and practice
    2 Demonstrate technology-based skills in a research project or practice problem
    3 Critically assess technology-based research in psychology
    4 Describe the ethical application of technology in psychology
    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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 2

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1, 2

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    2, 3

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    2, 4

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    2, 4

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    4

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    1, 2, 3, 4

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    2, 4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    The course will require access to selected online resources. Details will be posted on the course MyUni site. 

    Recommended Resources

    The course will make use of various online tools and resources. Details will be posted on the course MyUni site.

    Barr Smith Library: 
    The Library is a major resource centre for students. The Research Librarian for Psychology provides some useful information at http://libguides.adelaide.edu.au/psychology. The website contains a list of databases, links to tutorials, and help with searching methods.

    Online Learning
    This course will use MyUni for:
    • Communication with students via Announcements and Discussion Boards
    • Provision of Assessment instructions
     Submission and grading of Assessments 
     Access to lecture recordings (where available, lecture recordings will be posted within 24-48hours)

    • Access to tutorial materials
    • Self-directed learning activities

    Link to MyUni: https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    This course is comprised of a series of face-to-face lectures and interactive tutorial sessions. A full schedule of activities will be available on the course MyUni site. You are encouraged to fully engage with all aspects of the course. You are also encouraged to attend relevant School and University-based research seminars to further your understanding of technology in relation to its role and application in psychological research and practice. 



    Workload

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

    Expected total student workload: 156 hours across the semester, or approximately 12-13 hours per week.

    Workload includes a range of learning activities, such as lectures, tutorials, independent study, assessment tasks, research and other academic activities.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Learning activities are provided at the outset of the course. Details will be provided on the course MyUni site. 
    Specific Course Requirements

    Not applicable.
  • 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 Task Type Assessment Task Weighting Learning Outcome
    Mid-semester essay Summative 20% 1, 3, 4
    Tutorial Participation Formative and Summative 10% 1 - 4
    Practical Project Summative 40% 1, 2, 4
    Exam Summative 30% 1, 3
    Assessment Detail
    Mid-semester exercise
    This is worth 20% and will develop your critical writing skills in developing arguments and understanding around issues relating to technology and psychology. 

    Tutorial Participation
    This will be worth 10% and will involve contributions that reflect knowledge gained from readings, online material and other sources of information in the course. It will address all 4 learning outcomes.

    Practical Project
    This project, worth 40%, will involve the submission of an individual report which is based on a collaborate project undertaken with other students (groups of 4-5). The collaboration will be to develop research ideas; demonstrate project management skills; demonstrate team-work; and how to apply psychological knowledge to a psychological practice or research problem involving technological innovations. Projects can test several skills: the development of a webpage; App; or other online tool with documented evidence of how it would work, practical applications and how it is informed by previous literature (e.g., what makes technology more effective, accessible, relevant for potential users or populations of interest). This assessment will address Course Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 4.
     
    Examination
    This will focus on foundational knowledge in development of technology, human-computer interactions and the broader theoretical and empirical literature relating to this topic (Learning Outcome 3), but will also capture potential practical applications (Learning Outcome 1). Students would be asked to discuss the principles that influence people’s receptivity to technology; the benefits and risks associated with technology; and how it affects different populations across the life-span.
    Submission
    Submit online via the Assessment portal on MyUni.
    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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