UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

Parts 1 and 2 must be completed to fulfil the requirements of the unit. Students usually commence the unit in semester 1, but semester 2 enrolment can be negotiated if circumstances require this. Students work independently on the unit, which has no lecture or tutorial components. Students produce, under supervision, an independent research project in an area relevant to their specialist master's degree. By preparing, designing, analysing and reporting this research, the students develop skills critical to future employment as scientist-practitioners. In particular, they achieve the competency to review the literature relevant to a problem in their field, design and conduct an appropriate study and report it to high professional standards. They also advance their general abilities to interpret and evaluate the research of others. They become familiar with the ethical considerations bearing on research in their field and in preparing applications to human ethics committees.

Potential enrolment into PSYC5210/PSYC5211 requires completion of all coursework and placements of the Masters component, and withdrawal from the PhD component. Students must also first inform the School of Psychological Science ([email protected]) whether they intend to complete the dissertation in one semester or two semesters. Finally, students must simultaneously submit a dissertation completion plan schedule approved by their dissertation supervisor that is consistent with their enrolment intention.

Credit

12 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 1	UWA (Perth)	Face to face
Semester 2	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) identify and review the literature relevant to a problem in their field; (2) design and conduct an appropriate study; (3) produce a report to high professional standards; (4) interpret and evaluate the research of others; and (5) demonstrate familiarity with the ethical considerations bearing on research in their field and in preparing applications to human ethics committees.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) research proposal and (2) progress report. Further information is available in the unit outline.

This unit is assessed on an ungraded pass/ungraded failed basis. All assessment items must be successfully completed.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Lynden Miles

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Enrolment in

01870/54570 Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Clinical Psychology

Enrolment in

or 01890/54590 Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Clinical Neuropsychology

Incompatibility

Successful completion of

one level 5 6 points Unit(s) PSYC5583 MPsych Research Dissertation Part 1 or equivalent

Successful completion of

one level 5 6 points Unit(s) PSYC5584 MPsych Research Dissertation Part 2 or equivalent

Contact hours

regular meetings with supervisor and independent project work in consultation with supervisor

Note

Students enrolled in an APAC accredited program must hold provisional registration as a psychologist. It is the students' responsibility to ensure registration eligibility. Enrolled students are also responsible for maintaining provisional registration for the duration of their enrolment in the program.