96838 Research Design and Analysis in Psychology
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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 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 96832 Introduction to Psychology Foundations AND 96833 Introduction to Psychological Science
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
Psychological science relies on empirical evidence and adapts as new data develop. This subject equips students with skills in research design and data analysis and visualisation using modern, freely available, and intuitive software. Students develop professional skills in team work, and the critical interpretation and communication of research findings.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 030. | Design or replicate a research study to confirm or disconfirm a testable hypothesis |
|---|---|
| 031. | Evaluate the extent to which research strategies rule out alternative explanations and support cause-effect claims |
| 034. | Evaluate the appropriate scales of measurement that can be used for different research purposes |
| 035. | Calculate descriptive and inferential statistics |
| 037. | Apply appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics to a specific research design |
| 039. | Differentiate and interpret aspects of statistical analysis |
| 042. | Evaluate research design and commonly used analytic procedures in psychological research |
| 043. | Apply commonly used analytic procedures in psychological research |
| 087. | Collaborate effectively on team-based projects |
| 095. | Use appropriate technologies that strengthen preparation for job entry |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
The learning outcomes for this subject are as follows:
- Research and Communication: Analyse, critique, and communicate theory and research in psychology. (2.2)
- Interpersonal and Teamwork: Practice effective intrapersonal, interpersonal, and teamwork skills. (2.3)
- Lifelong Learning: Assemble knowledge, skills and attributes required for self-directed pursuit of scholarly inquiry in psychology and for ongoing personal and professional development. (3.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:
Psychologically and technologically literate
Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Psychology understand psychology and behaviour from an evidence-based perspective, can apply psychological science to real-world problems, and are competent in the analysis and critique of research.
Lifelong learner
Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Psychology appreciate the importance of lifelong learning and are equipped to undertake ongoing learning for personal and professional development.
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 will be 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
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: Statistics in Everyday Life
| Intent: | Engaging in this task provides a platform for students to evaluate the appropriate scales of measurement for a research purpose and to calculate and present statistical information. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 034 and 035 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 2.2 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | 200 Words |
| Criteria: | Marking criteria are available on Canvas |
Assessment task 2: Weekly Test of Knowledge
| Intent: | Engaging in this task allows students to test their ability to evaluate different research designs used in psychological research and to apply analytical procedures used in psychological research. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 042 and 043 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: Research Design
| Intent: | The intention of this assessment is for students to develop their research skills and to enhance their communication and teamwork skills. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 030, 037, 087 and 095 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 2.2, 2.3 and 3.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 5-minute video presentation |
| Criteria: | Marking criteria are available on Canvas |
Assessment task 4: Research Report
| Intent: | The intention of this assessment is for students to further develop their research skills, including statistical analytic skills and scientific writing skills. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 031 and 039 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 2.2 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 1,000 Words |
| 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
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.