1 Semester

36 hours

Hawthorn

Nil

Credit Points: 12.5 Credit Points

Related Course/s:

A core unit of study in the Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology program.

Aims & Objectives:

The unit of study aims to facilitate students to design and develop their fourth year thesis project. At the end of this unit student will:

• Be able to prepare a research proposal
• Acquire the necessary skills to present their research publicly to a scientific audience
• Understand the ethical issues involved with conducting human research
• Become familiar with the steps necessary and issues to consider when obtaining ethics clearance for their project
• Demonstrate advanced library and literature review skills
• Understand the importance of the practitioner-scientist model

Teaching Methods:

This unit consists of 12 Face to face supervision meetings, 2 x 2.5 hour lectures, 2 x 1 hour research colloquia attendance, and 1 x 2 hour library course. Students are also expected to attend and present at a mini conference. The unit utilises supervision meetings, lectures, individual study, enquiry based learning, blended learning materials, online resources, oral presentations, and laboratory activities (in the library). Students are provided with feedback from their supervisors regarding all aspects of their research thesis, and from psychology staff present at their research presentation.

Assessment:

This is a pass or fail subject only and is not graded (thus percentages are not given). Assessment comprises the completion of all of the following:

• Attendance at three psychology colloquia presentations (attendance is recorded)
• Completion of an ethics application
• Submission of a 500 word project summary
• Presentation of thesis topic at the Psychology Fourth Year Miniconference.

Generic Skills Outcomes:

Graduates are adaptable and manage change

Content:

The content of this unit covers all aspects of conducting and presenting psychological research. The following topics are covered:

• The design of an empirical research thesis
• Ethical issues in research with human participants
• Advanced research skills
• Logical and critical thinking skills
• Thinking in theoretical terms
• Written communication skills
• Using the library and other information sources
• Public speaking

Reading Materials: