EDF4604 · Research project

Overview

This unit covers all aspects of the conduct of research. You will undertake a study program in statistics and research design and, under the guidance of a staff member, plan an independent research project. This project involves designing research in relation to previous work on the topic of the study, gaining ethical approval for data collection or use of data, data gathering, data entry and analysis using appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative techniques or methodologies, the preparation of a research report and a literature review according to the specifications of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA).

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. appreciate the role of scientific research in the field of psychology
2. describe, apply and evaluate the different research methods used by psychologists
3. describe the strategies and processes involved in program evaluation
4. understand how to evaluate the validity of research conclusions
5. collect, analyse and interpret data related to your independent research project
6. correctly apply the appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative methods for designs commonly encountered in psychological research
7. identify ethical issues that can arise in research in psychology and how these are to be addressed
8. use an appropriate statistical package for analysing research data, such as the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)
9. produce an assessable research project in a format consistent with the specifications of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA)
10. produce a literature review to an acceptable standard on the topic of your research.

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 576 hours comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Usually, you can expect to engage with: • 30 hours of scheduled learning delivered on campus via weekly/regular directed learning activities; • the remaining hours to be allocated towards self-directed/independent study; and • you will also plan, carry out and write up an individual research project under the supervision of a staff member. In conjunction with this, • you will undertake an extensive literature review in the area of your research. The research is conducted over two semesters. Scheduled learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.