PSYCHOL 6508OL - Individual Differences and Assessment
Online - Online Teaching 4 - 2024
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code PSYCHOL 6508OL Course Individual Differences and Assessment Coordinating Unit Psychology Term Online Teaching 4 Level Postgraduate Coursework Location/s Online Units 3 Contact 1 to 2 hour online tutorial Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N Prerequisites PSYCHOL 6500OL and PSYCHOL 6501OL Restrictions Graduate Diploma in Psychology or Graduate Certificate in Psychology Assessment Online Assessments and Written Assignments Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Sophie Dahlenburg
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
This course has six modules. Students study one module per week. Each module teaches students about a different aspect of individual differences and assessment. The modules are:
1. Introduction to Individual Differences, Assessment, and Personality
2. Personality Assessment
3. Psychometrics
4. Intelligence & Ability
5. Biological Bases of Individual Differences
6. Applied Individual Differences and Assessment -
Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Explain the utility of personality and intelligence as psychological concepts. 2. Apply psychometric theory to the assessment of individual differences. 3. Determine desirable characteristics and limitations of measurement in psychology. 4. Evaluate how individual differences relate to wellbeing and ability over the lifespan. 5. Critically reflect upon issues and debates related to the study and assessment of individual differences. 6. Synthesise theory and data to answer empirical questions related to individual differences and assessment. 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.
1,2,3,4,5,6 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.
1,2,3,4,5,6 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.
5,6 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.
2,3,5,6 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.
2,3,5,6 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.
N/A Attribute 7: Digital capabilities
Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.
6 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.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
Course Texts
Required readings in this course will be taken from:
- Ashton, M.C. (2018). Individual Differences and Personality (3rd ed.). Academic Press.
- Cooper, C. (2020). Individual Differences and Personality (4th ed.). Taylor & Francis
Software
When completing Module 3 of this course, students will also need to install a free cross-platform statistical software package called JASP onto their computer. Guidance will be provided in the course on how to do this. This is the same software as used in PSYCHOL 6501OL - Research Methods, Design and Analysis. Students who previously studied that course may wish to see if an updated version of JASP is available.Recommended Resources
n/aOnline Learning
This is a fully online offering. MyUni will be used for all course materials, communication, links to curated resources, online tutorial support and assignments including submissions, feedback and grades. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
Engagement with course content is facilitated by online lectures, interactive online activities, curated readings and resources, and self directed study supported by weekly online tutorial sessions. There are six weekly modules with learning scaffolded across the modules to ensure that students develop deep discipline knowledge as well as the academic literacy, research skills and capacity to apply and communicate their understanding as specified for an AQF8 level offering.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
This course is a six week intensive, accelerated learning offering. Students should expect to approximately 25 hours per week engaging with the online content, in private study, attending online tutorials, and completing the coursework assignments.
Indicative Hours per Week:
- 1.5 hours - Tutorial
- 1 hour - Tutorial Preparation
- 9 hours - Assessment related tasks
- 10 hours - Engaging with online content (e.g, video presentations, podcasts, directed research activities, discussions, interactive tasks)
- 3.5 hours - Readings
Learning Activities Summary
The course has six modules. Students study one module per week. Each module focusses on a different aspect of individual differences and assessment. The modules, and their indicative content, are outlined below:
Module 1: Introduction to individual differences, assessment and personality
-Key Concepts
-Introduction to psychometrics
-Review of statistical concepts
-Aproaches to personality
Module 2: Personality assessment
-Traditional approaches to personality assessment
-Development of the Five-factor model
-Alternate approaches to personality assessment
-Emotional intelligence
Module 3: Psychometrics
-Measurement and latent variables
-Exploratory factor analysis part 1 (factorability & assumptions)
-Exploratory factor analysis part 2 (rotation, conducting and reporting FA)
-Applied reliability and validity
Module 4: Intelligence and ability
-Defining intelligence and IQ scores
-Recap: structural models of intelligence
-Testing intelligence
-IQ over the lifespan
-Gardner's multiple intelligences
Module 5: Biological bases of individual differences
-Evolutionary psychology
-Evolutionary psychology of individual differences
-Genes and biology
-Temperament and personality
Module 6: Applied individual differences and assessment
-A critical look at testing
-Assessment in the workplace
-Applying individual differences to relationship conflict forgiveness
-Trait forgiveness and predicting behaviourSpecific Course Requirements
N/A -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment Task Assessment Type Weighting Hurdle Requirement Learning Outcomes Article review Summative 20% no 1,5 Factor analysis & a critical look at
testing (short answers)Formative & Summative 40% no 2,3,5 Research report Summative 40% no 2,4,5,6 Assessment Related Requirements
Submission via Turnitin. All assignments are due by 11:59pm on the Sunday at the end of the week in which they are due. A penalty of 5% per day applies for late submissions.
Extensions are granted on medical, compassionate or other special circumstances recognised under the University’s Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy. The completed extension application form and any documentation (such as a medical or counsellor's certification) should be emailed to the course coordinator and submitted before the due date. The course coordinator will consider the request in the light of the case made and University deadlines, and may grant an extension of up to three days.Assessment Detail
Assessment 1: Journal article review (Due end week 2, 20%, 800 words)
The aim of this assessment exercise is for you to critically examine a contemporary article that is related to content from Modules 1 and 2. This will include critical commentary and reflection on the issues the authors are addressing; the main findings and the conclusions the authors reach.
Assessment 2: Short answer questions (Due end week 4, 40%)
- Part 1 (Short Answer 20%). You will conduct a factor analysis and reliability analysis of survey data to determine whether a new personality scale is reliable and is behaving as expected.
- Part 2 (Short Answer 20%) You will answer a series of questions based on scenarios provided. This will include an interpretation and discussion of relevant practical/ethical/safety issues related to ability testing.
You will prepare a practical report where you will need to analyse data in JASP and interpret the output to answer questions about the associations between intelligence, personality, and satisfaction with life. The report will need to be written in accordance with APA 7 formatting guidelines.Submission
Online submission using TurnitinCourse 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.
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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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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
Counselling for Fully Online Postgraduate Students
Fully online students can access counselling services here:
Phone: 1800 512 155 (24/7)
SMS service: 0439 449 876 (24/7)
Email: info@assureprograms.com.au
Go to the Study Smart Hub to learn more, or speak to your Student Success Advisor (SSA) on 1300 296 648 (Monday to Thursday, 8.30am–5pm ACST/ACDT, Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm ACST/ACDT)
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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