Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit is taught by seminar presentation and a small-group problem-based research project. The seminar topics are offered in areas of staff expertise and are based on a set of target papers drawn from the current literature. Student seminar presentations consider the theoretical context of the research and evaluate the hypotheses examined, the research methodologies used, the results obtained, and the conclusions drawn in the research being considered. The small-group research project is carried out in the topic area of the seminars and actively engages students in formulating and implementing an experimental approach to a research question. The units give students the opportunity to explore issues of contemporary psychology in depth and to acquire skills in areas such as research design and written and oral communication that prepare them for advanced study in psychology.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) pursue a particular area of psychological research activity in detail, acquiring and applying the knowledge of the basic scientific discipline of psychology in one area; (2) develop skills in identifying research questions, planning and implementing research, collaborating with a team, analysing and interpreting the data and communicating the results in a variety of ways; and (3) learn how to give and receive feedback and become familiar with an area of research activity within the School of Psychology and meet some of the people associated with that area.
- Assessment
Students demonstrate achievement of the outcomes in a variety of assessment methods which include presentation of a written research proposal (15 per cent, group assessment), ethics application (5 per cent, group assessment), a research report (60 per cent), an oral presentation (10 per cent, group assessment) and class participation (10 per cent). Students are assessed on their ability to identify and formulate the key research and theoretical issues; to implement a piece of research, and collect, analyse and interpret the data; to apply the skills to research methods to a particular research question; and to communicate the new psychological knowledge clearly and effectively to different audiences. 'Turnitin' originality checking and plagiarism prevention is used in the faculty to allow both educators and their students to check written work for improper citation or misappropriated content. More information about 'Turnitin' can be found at https://turnitin.com/.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- PSYC2203 Psychological Research Methods
- Incompatibility
- Students may only enrol in one specialist research topic in any given semester.
- Contact hours
- seminars: 10 x 2 hours
labs: 10 x 2 hours
project work: 36 hours - Texts
Rosnow, R. L. and Rosenthal, R. Beginning Behavioural Research: a Conceptual Primer, 6th edn: New Jersey Pearson Education 2008
Additional readings as outlined by the topic seminar leaders.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.