PSYCHOL 3011B - Advanced Career & Research Skills in Psychology B

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2023

The aim of this course is to develop student skills in research methods through the extension and application of skills developed in the regular accredited sequences. Using either R, SPSS, STATA or other statistical packages, students will taught to apply their emerging research skills to practical research problems. Important skills will include data coding, preparation and cleaning; being able to develop research problems and apply appropriate statistical methods; and extension exercises in which students have to demonstrate their ability to learn new techniques not previously taught. An important element of this course will be a project that requires the formal involvement in a research process; this will involve the design of a project, the collection or compilation of existing data as well as data analysis and reporting.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PSYCHOL 3011B
    Course Advanced Career & Research Skills in Psychology B
    Coordinating Unit Psychology
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours each week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange
    Prerequisites PSYCHOL 2004 and PSYCHOL 2006 and PSYCHOL 2009 and PSYCHOL 2007 and PSYCHOL 2005
    Restrictions B. Psych (Honours) (Advanced)
    Quota A quota of 20 applies
    Assessment Written assignments, workshop participation and exam
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Conrad Perry

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Use multiple statistical packages to compile, prepare and analyse data
    2 Critically analyse research problems
    3 Engage in independent learning to develop new research methods skills
    4 Apply appropriate statistical tests and report outcomes
    5 Conduct independent data 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)

    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 3 4 5

    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 3 4 5

    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.

    1 2 3 4 5

    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 3 5

    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.

    .

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

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

    1 3 4 5

    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.

    3
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    The course will require access to selected online resources, relevant textbooks, both e-books and printed relevant to the study of reserach methodology.
    Recommended Resources
    The course will take advantage of online course material (e.g. big data analysis) available through services such as EdX; platforms such as Youtube; and will make extensive use of online lecture tools and Canvas.
    Online Learning
    The course will take advance of existing online lecture material, but will also involve the development of new online lecture material to provide a summary of material required for each week’s workshop. The course will focus predominantly on assignment as well as small-group based assessment rather than traditional examination or online quiz formats.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    Each week will involve a blended style of delivery. Each week will have a face-to-face lecture in traditional format, but also a shorter (20-30 minute) online presentation which students will be required to watch each week. The main focus each week will be a 2-hour small group workshop which will allow for more in depth analysis of the concepts and ideas presented in the lectures. For example, students may be asked to complete a range of tasks; critically evaluate propositions or concepts; undertake problem-solving sessions; critically evaluate an article or other material. These sessions will provide the opportunity to group discussion and working in teams to analyse ideas.

    Workload

    No information currently available.

    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

    Specific Course Requirements
    N/A
  • 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 Weighting Learning Outcome
    Workshop Participation Summative 10% 1, 2, 5
    Extension exercise Summative 20% 2, 3
    Research report Summative 50% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    Take home exam Summative 20% 2
    Assessment Detail
    Workshop participation (10%): Students will receive 10% of their total mark based on their attendance and participation in workshops during the semester

    Extension Exercise:
    This exercise will be done in groups of 1-2 students (preferably 2). Students will be provided with an opportunity to develop their skills in a new research approach/method not taught previously. A list of possible extension areas will be provided, or students might propose their own extension topic for approval by the course co-ordinator. Students will then have to write a 1500-2000 word critical summary that explains this method and its applications. The written summary should be of the nature that it is capable of being read by another student. Opportunities may exist for some peer marking or feedback in the final appraisal of the product.
    This task addresses learning outcomes 2 and 3 and will be assessed in terms of students’ ability to demonstrate the recognition of research situations, understanding of the analytical approach, and how they communicate their understanding in writing.

    Research Report: (4,000 words).
    The research report will be done in groups of 3-5 students. This will be an opportunity for students to demonstrate their ability to consolidate their existing knowledge in an independent project. This may involve the analysis of an existing data set or the design of a new study and data collection. Students will have to identify the most effect statistical approaches to address the problem; provide a written summary of the analysis and the findings. This report tests all 5 of the learning outcomes and will be assessed in terms of how well students identify the appropriate tests and apply them and how well they present and articulate their interpretation of the findings.
    Talk (15 minutes + 5 minutes of questions): Each project group will give a short talk on what they intend to do with their major research report. This talk tests 1, 2, and 3 of the learning outcomes and will be assessed based on how competently students are able to articulate their research plan.

    Qualitative Report (1500-2000 words): The qualitative report is completed individually. All students are provided with a video interview available publically on a social issue of importance. With that interview, they must produce either sound conceptual (reflexive) coding, which would tend towards thematic analysis or identify language features and discursive devices aligned with a Discourse Analysis for the interview provided. Students must describe and explain three (3) their codes or language strategies with appropriate transcribed quotes. Finally, students make a concluding statement about the next step in the research that is required based on those codes or discursive features. This report tests learning outomes 2, 3, and 5, and will be assessed based on how well they have conducted this research.
    Submission

    e-submission and marking will be used.

    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.

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  • Policies & Guidelines
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