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Research Project (Clinical) A1

Unit Code: HAYC560

Duration	Contact Hours	Campus	Prerequisite	Corequisite
1 Semester /teaching period	See "Teaching Methods"	Hawthorn	Nil	Nil

Credit Points: 12.5 Credit Points

Related Course/s:

A unit of study in the Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) program.

Aims & Objectives:

The aims of the research program are to enhance students' awareness of the importance of a scientific research base for the practice of clinical psychology, to consolidate students' practical understanding of research methodology related to clinical psychology and to teach appropriate research design and clinical analysis skills.

Students receive training in research methods through the four research project subjects (HAYC560 Research Project A1, HAYC561 Research Project A2, HAYC562 Research Project B1 and HAYC563 Research Project B2), through one-on-one supervision of their research project and through additional research methods classes. Over and above the didactic elements contained in the research subjects, students complete 12 hours of research methods classes.

The aim of this unit is to introduce students to possible areas of research; to develop their skills relating to research design, reference searching and management, and critical assessment of previous empirical research.

Teaching Methods:

This unit is taught using a number of tutorials and seminars, regular consultation with supervisor, and participation in a mini-conference.

Assessment:

Students receive training in research methods through the four research project subjects (HAYC560 Research Project A1, HAYC561 Research Project A2, HAYC562 Research Project B1 and HAYC563 Research Project B2), through one-on-one supervision of their research project and through additional research methods classes. The assessment requirements for the sequence of four research units are designed to culminate in a minor empirical thesis of a minimum of 5,000 words.

To achieve a PASS for HAYC560 Research Project A1, the student must:
a) submit a completed and signed Research and Supervision Arrangements form to the subject coordinator

b) submit a single-page outline of the research project to the subject coordinator at least one week prior to the scheduled mini-conference

c) PASS a research proposal presented to staff members at the scheduled mini-conference

d) PASS a detailed written research proposal

e) PASS preliminary review of the relevant background literature

Generic Skills Outcomes:

Graduates are capable in their chosen profession:
• Able to gather information systematically from a range of sources.

• Have highly developed verbal and written skills.

• A capacity to present research to a range of audiences.

• Understand basic principles of measurement in psychology and can apply these principles to research.

Graduates are adaptable and work effectively and ethically:

• Communicate effectively with professionals and the community.

• Adaptable, flexible, open to new ideas and able to manage change

Graduates are aware of environments:

• Are culturally sensitive, with a respect for multiple points of view.

Content:

Beyond regular meetings with the thesis supervisor, this subject consists of four timetabled classes: Overview of the research program (Wk 1), using the library (Wk 2), introduction to Endnote (Wk 3), and choosing a research methodology (Wk 4). In addition, towards the end of semester, students present their research projects before staff members and other postgraduate students.

Reading Materials:

C Barker (2003). Research Methods in Clinical Psychology : An Introduction for Students and Practitioners. Chichester: Wiley
L J Luecken, L C.Gallo (2008) Handbook of physiological research methods in health psychology (2008). Thousand Oaks, Calif. : Sage

Publications

R Rosenthal, R L Rosnow (2008) Essentials of behavioral research : methods and data analysis. NY: McGraw-Hill

R W Robins, R C Fraley, R F Krueger (2007) Handbook of research methods in personality psychology. NY: Guilford Press.

G Dunbar (2005) Evaluating Research Methods in Psychology : A Case Study Approach. Oxford: Blackwell

P M Camic, J E Rhodes, L Yardley, eds (2003) Qualitative research in psychology : expanding perspectives in methodology and design.

Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Smith, J. A. (ed.), 2003. "Qualitative Psychology." London: Sage