PSYCHOL 4301 - Research Methods and Statistics

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2021

This advanced statistics and methodology course provides material relevant for the preparation of a thesis at an Honours level. It includes material relating to both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Students will attend face-to-face lectures, complete independent learning exercises as well as supervised laboratory sessions.

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Course Details

Course Code	PSYCHOL 4301
Course	Research Methods and Statistics
Coordinating Unit	Psychology
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 6 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Assumed Knowledge	PSYCHOL 3020 or equivalent
Restrictions	Available to B.Psychological Science (Honours) and B. Psychology (Advanced) (Honours) students only
Assessment	Mid-Semester exercise 30%, Qualitative exercise 20% and Examination 50%

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Matthew Dry

Dr Matthew Dry - matthew.dry@adelaide.edu.au

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Please refer to Honours handbook

Course Learning Outcomes

At the successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1.Use statistical packages required for quantitative analysis (e.g., R, SPSS and Excel).

2.Apply advanced knowledge in statistics to experimental and applied research.

3.Apply different forms of qualitative analysis, including the analysis of themes and discourse analysis

4.Critically evaluate methodological designs and select appropriate analytical strategies for research projects

5.Understand the interpretation and appropriate reporting requirements for statistical and qualitative data.

6.Understand the concepts of validity and reliability as they apply to psychometric testing and be able to critically evaluate widely used psychometric tests

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Deep discipline knowledge informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1 accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)	1-5
Critical thinking and problem solving steeped in research methods and rigor based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment	1-5
Teamwork and communication skills developed from, with, and via the SGDE honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning	2
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	1-4
Intercultural and ethical competency adept at operating in other cultures comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges	5
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate	5

Learning Resources

Online Learning

Material from the training seminars offered during the semester will be made available on MyUni. This course may use MyUni for one or more of the following:- Communication with students via Announcements and Discussion Board- Submission of summative assessment- Access to lecture recordings- Access to tutorial materials- Additional readings- Self-directed learning activities- Exam preparation materialsLink to MyUni: https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

Details will be made available on MyUni.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Details will be made available on MyUni.

Learning Activities Summary

Details will be made available on MyUni.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Assessment Type	Weighting	Learning outcome(s) being addressed
Mid-semester exercise	Summative	30	2, 5, 6
Examination	Summative	70	1-5

Assessment Related Requirements

Students will be required to complete a written assignment and a written exam.

Assessment Detail

The written assignment will be marked based on the extent to which students are able to demonstrate the ability to select the appropriate statistical test as well as conduct and report the analysis accurately.

Submission

The 30% assignment will be submitted online via Turnitin and the Canvas system.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M11 (Honours Mark Scheme)
Grade	Grade reflects following criteria for allocation of grade	Reported on Official Transcript
Fail	A mark between 1-49	F
Third Class	A mark between 50-59	3
Second Class Div B	A mark between 60-69	2B
Second Class Div A	A mark between 70-79	2A
First Class	A mark between 80-100	1
Result Pending	An interim result	RP
Continuing	Continuing	CN

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator