PSY3100 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics

PSY	3100	87216	1, 2009	EXT	Advanced Research Methods and Statistics	1.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOSCI
Academic org:	FOS005
Student contribution band:	1
ASCED code:	090701

Staffing
Other requisites
Rationale
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Assessment notes
Other requirements
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Jeff Patrick
Moderator: Andrea Lamont-Mills

OTHER REQUISITES

Recommended Pre-requisite: PSY2110

RATIONALE

A sound knowledge of research design and the analytic methods with which they are associated is central to research in the behavioural sciences and to the practice of psychology. This course is designed to provide students with a background in three distinct paradigms of research in psychology with the expectation that they will acquire and be able to apply high level design and statistical skills when conducting psychological research.

SYNOPSIS

This course is divided into three parts each of four weeks duration. Students will be presented with three fundamental research paradigms from disciplines within Psychology. In each part, students will study: the historical basis of the paradigm; its theoretical basis; formulation of relevant hypotheses (where appropriate); study design associated with the paradigm; conduct research; perform analyses appropriate to the design and write a report describing the research and its results. Please also note that students will need to access the Moodle discussion group.

OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1.: apply the principles underlying hypothesis formation, hypothesis testing, research design, and the application of appropriate analytic methods (Assignments 1, 2 and 3);
2.: conduct graduate level research within the context of a number of different paradigms studied (Assignments 1, 2 and 3);
3.: utilise the basics and some advanced aspects of statistical analysis with the SPSS statistical package (Assignments 1, 2 and 3).

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	Module 1 - Advanced Survey Design	33.33
2.	Module 2 - Beyond p < 0.05	33.34
3.	Module 3 - Advanced Experimental Concepts	33.33

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

SPSS Student pack. Note: For Toowoomba students this is an optional purchase. However, for non-Toowoomba students this is a mandatory purchase. Other materials are supplied in each Module.

There is no text for this course. Any selected readings will be provided via Moodle.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Assessments	60.00
Directed Study	8.00
Online Discussion Groups	16.00
Private Study	78.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description	Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date	Notes
ASSIGNMENT 1	100.00	33.00	06 Mar 2009	(see note 1)
ASSIGNMENT 2	100.00	33.00	06 Mar 2009	(see note 2)
ASSIGNMENT 3	100.00	34.00	06 Mar 2009	(see note 3)

NOTES

1.: To be advised by examiner.
2.: To be advised by examiner.
3.: To be advised by examiner.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. (Depending upon the requirements in Statement 4 below, students may not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to receive a passing grade in this course.)
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 5% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
Examination information:
There are no examinations in this course.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
As there are no examinations in this course, there will be no deferred or supplementary examinations.
University Regulations:
Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook

ASSESSMENT NOTES

9.	The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner.
10.	Students may be required to provide a copy of assignments submitted for assessment purposes. Such copies should be dispatched to the USQ within 24 hours of receipt of a request to do so.
11.	The examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances.
12.	Students who have undertaken all of the required assessments in the course but who have failed to meet some of the specified objectives within the normally prescribed time may be awarded the temporary grade of IM (Incomplete - Make up). An IM grade will only be awarded when, in the opinion of the examiner, a student will be able to achieve the remaining objectives of the course after a period of non-directed personal study.
13.	Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. The temporary grade of IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up) may then be awarded.
14.	Students must have internet access for this course.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Note: The order of topics and the contents of topics may change depending on the availability of staff. In either case students will be notified of any changes in week 1 of the course.

This version produced 11 Dec 2009.