96845 Advanced Research Methods
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
Research methods and application are a focus of a psychology qualification. In this subject, students further develop research skills attained in their Level 1 program, including learning how to conduct culturally responsive and ethical research. Students use modern, freely available and user-friendly software to develop advanced data analysis and visualisation skills. Hands-on experience equips students with the capacity to critically evaluate and communicate published findings that inform research and clinical practice as well as broader real-world problems.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 015. | Evaluate psychological research for adherence to relevant ethics code for research involving human research participants |
|---|---|
| 020. | Apply advanced knowledge and work within the current ethical guidelines (APS, NHMRC, AIATSIS) for the conduct of psychological research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples |
| 043. | Use appropriate technologies that strengthen preparation for job entry |
| 059. | Compare and contrast theories and concepts in qualitative research methods |
| 060. | Evaluate when a qualitative approach would be appropriate for psychological research |
| 061. | Apply knowledge and skills regarding advanced research methods and statistical techniques |
| 062. | Analyse data using advanced statistical techniques |
| 063. | Apply advanced statistical analyses to complex data sets |
| 064. | Communicate research findings using appropriate data presentation formats (e.g., tables, graphs, charts) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
The learning outcomes for this subject are as follows:
- Culturally Appropriate: Evaluate advanced knowledge and skills required for research and professional practice that is sensitive to diversity of individuals and culturally appropriate, while critically reflecting on the impacts of ongoing colonisation on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians. (1.1)
- Research and Communication: Analyse, critique, and communicate advanced theory and research in psychology, including investigation of an individual research question relevant to psychology. (2.2)
- Lifelong Learning: Assemble advanced knowledge, skills, and attributes required for self-directed pursuit of scholarly inquiry in psychology and for ongoing personal and professional learning. (3.1)
- Values and Ethics: Appraise appropriate values, and ethical standards in psychological research and practice. (4.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:
Culturally responsive
Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) are culturally responsive professionals, able to reflect on and explain their own cultural perspectives and accommodate cultural differences, particularly in the context of working with and for Indigenous Australians.
Psychologically and technologically literate
Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) understand psychology and behaviour from an evidence-based perspective, can apply psychological science to real-world problems, and are competent in the design, analysis, critique, and communication of research.
Lifelong learner
Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) appreciate the importance of lifelong learning and are equipped to undertake ongoing learning for personal development and professional practice as they move along the novice to expert continuum.
Global citizen
Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) possess respectful attitudes that allow them to contribute meaningfully to society as global citizens who promote and support fairness and social justice, and who are sensitive to the diversity of individuals.
Teaching and learning strategies
Orientation activities
Preparation for the session - You are expected to undertake activities during orientation week. These activities are designed to introduce you to the subject and your peers and will assist you to prepare for the subject's assessment tasks.
Independent learning activities
Relevant readings, videos and activities will be made available online relevant to the topic of the week. This will support your ability to progress successfully throughout the subject and complete assessment items effectively. The online material aims to enhance your understanding of the topic or delve deeper into a more specific area, compare experiences and ideas with others and gain feedback. Information and links to all these learning activities can be accessed via Canvas as well as the subject outline.
Zoom meetings
You are strongly encouraged to attend all scheduled Zoom meetings as they will prepare you for the subject’s assessment tasks. Additionally, they provide opportunities for group activities, discussion, self-assessment, peer review and formative feedback from the subject coordinator and your teaching team. The schedule for this subject’s zoom meetings is provided on Canvas.
Feedback
Feedback in this subject takes several forms including self-assessment, peer review, automatic feedback from interactive activities and from the teaching team. Formative feedback throughout the subject aims to increase your performance in summative assessments.
Feedback and changes from previous subject offering
This subject has been updated in response to feedback from students in a previous session.
We will be collecting feedback from you in several forms to evaluate the design, relevance and depth of the content and its delivery. We appreciate you taking part in this process to ensure we are delivering subjects that are contemporary and meet your needs.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Qualitative Research
| Intent: | Science requires the investigation of quantitative and qualitative attributes. Engaging in this task provides a platform for students to demonstrate their knowledge of theories and concepts in qualitative research methods and to evaluate when a qualitative approach would be appropriate for psychological research. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 059 and 060 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 2.2 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | 300 words |
| Criteria: | Marking criteria are available on Canvas |
Assessment task 2: Weekly Test of Knowledge
| Intent: | Engaging in this task provides students with an opportunity to apply their advanced knowledge of research methods and demonstrate their competence with advanced statistical techniques. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 061 and 062 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 2.2 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 6 x 5 item tests (30 questions in total) |
| Criteria: | Marking criteria are available on Canvas |
Assessment task 3: Ethics in Research
| Intent: | Working within the psychology discipline demands that an individual be a culturally responsive professional. Engaging in this task allows students to critically reflect on ethical conduct in research with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and how this knowledge of ethical Indigenous research practices influences their future professional and/or research approaches. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 015 and 020 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.1 and 4.1 |
| Type: | Reflection |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 1,250 words |
| Criteria: | Marking criteria are available on Canvas. |
Assessment task 4: Data Analysis Project
| Intent: | From asking a research question through to implementing a new therapy technique, analysing data is a means by which conclusions may be drawn. Engaging in this task provides students with the necessary skills to apply advanced statistical analyses to complex data sets and to communicate research findings using appropriate data presentation formats. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 043, 063 and 064 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 2.2 and 3.1 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 750 words + output for each data set |
| Criteria: | Marking criteria are available on Canvas |
Recommended texts
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000
Fein, E. C., Gilmour, J., Machin, T., & Hendry, L. (2022). Statistics for research students. Open Textbook Library.
https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/statistics-for-research-students
Gravetter, F. J., & Forzano, L. B. (2018). Research methods for the behavioral sciences. Cengage Learning.
Howell, D. C. (2016). Fundamental statistics for the behavioural sciences (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Navarro, D., & Foxcroft, D. (2022). Learning statistics with Jamovi: A tutorial for psychology students and other beginners (Version 0.75). doi: 10.24384/hgc3-7p15 lsj book (learnstatswithjamovi.com)
O’Shea, R.P., & McKenzie, W. (2021). Writing for psychology (7th ed.). Cengage Learning.?
References
University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). (2020). Assessment of coursework subjects policy and procedures, UTS.
A comprehensive list of references and other resources are available in this subject in Canvas.
Other resources
UTS Student Centre
Building 10
Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)
For other resources/information refer to the Faculty of Health website and Canvas.
UTS Library
The Library has a wide range of resources, facilities and services to support you including textbooks, subject readings, health literature databases, workshops and bookable study rooms. There is also a team of librarians to help you with your questions available via online chat, phone and in person. W: lib.uts.edu.au, Facebook: utslibrary, Twitter: @utslibrary Tel: +61 2 9514 3666.
Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.