Course handbook
Description
Our understanding of human behaviour comes from our ability as psychological researchers to apply appropriate research methods and statistics to answer research questions. PSYC3000 examines advanced univariate research designs and related inferential statistics. PSYC3000 extends coverage of design and analysis principles and skills introduced in STAT1070 and PSYC1000 with students applying their knowledge to designing research projects. Students receive comprehensive training in the use of a statistical package in order to analyse, interpret and present research findings. Students will critically evaluate research design and develop and undertake a research project implementing sound research methodology and ethical principles. Students will cover psychological research methodologies such as factorial experiments as well as repeated measures and correlational designs. Students will expand on their foundational analysis skills to include between subject, repeated measures and mixed ANOVA with more than one factor and multiple linear regression and apply these to their research designs.
At this level, students are introduced to real experimental and correlational designs that produce data that are less than ideal. Students will explore general models of statistical analysis in order to equip them with the skills to deal with the problems that might be encountered in their own research work. Throughout the semester, students will be encouraged to apply the principles they are learning to the development of their own research project, and consider specific problems related to methodology and ethics. Lab sessions will provide support in the use of a statistical software package to manipulate and perform statistical analyses on both simulated data as well as their own research data. Lab sessions will also provide training in conducting real research and understanding, interpreting and reporting the results.
Related Courses: PSYC3001, PSYC3500
This course forms part of an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council's accredited sequence.
Availability
Ourimbah
- Semester 2 - 2020
Callaghan
- Semester 2 - 2020
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course students will be able to:
1. Critically evaluate research designs for psychology.
2. Analyse and interpret experimental and questionnaire data.
3. Design a research project with consideration for practical, methodological and ethical constraints.
4. Competently use a statistical analysis package to allow interpretation and presentation of research findings.
5. Write formal psychology reports.
6. Identify and explain the ethical and practical aspects of research in psychology using human participants.
Content
- Descriptive and graphical methods for understanding patterns in data
- Interpreting analysis of repeated measures and mixed experiments with more than one factor
- Interpreting analysis using multiple linear regression.
Assumed knowledge
Students considering enrolling in this 3000 level course should have successfully completed all the first year units including STAT1070 and an introductory research methods course in order to have sufficient requisite knowledge, understanding and generic skills.
Assessment items
In Term Test: In Term Test 1 - Knowledge Test
Proposal / Plan: Research Proposal
In Term Test: In Term Test 2 - Knowledge and Skills Test
Written Assignment: Lab Report
Tutorial / Laboratory Exercises: Research Awareness: Participating in experiments through the Psychology Volunteer Register (SONA)
Contact hours
Callaghan and Ourimbah
Laboratory
Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per Week for 8 Weeks
Please check course outline for lab schedule
Lecture
Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per Week for 12 Weeks starting in week 1