PSYCHOL 6501OL - Research Methods, Design and Analysis

Online - Online Teaching 6 - 2025

How do we make well-founded discoveries about the mind and behaviour? This course will uncover key techniques and tools used to do research in psychology. Students will develop the skills needed both to critically evaluate and to conduct research into why people think and act the way they do.

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Course Details

Course Code	PSYCHOL 6501OL
Course	Research Methods, Design and Analysis
Coordinating Unit	Psychology
Term	Online Teaching 6
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	Online
Units	3
Contact	1 to 2 hour online tutorial
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Restrictions	Available to Graduate Diploma in Psychology (OL) students only
Assessment	Online Assessments and Written Assignments

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Sophie Dahlenburg

Course Timetable

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

The course has six modules. Students study one module per week. Each module teaches students about a different aspect of research methods and data analysis. The modules are:

Module 1: Introduction to research methods
Module 2: Experiments and experimental design
Module 3: Descriptive statistics, plots, and correlation
Module 4: Statistical theory
Module 5: Comparing two groups
Module 6: Comparing more than two groups

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate knowledge of key concepts associated with research methods, design, and analysis in psychology
2. propose a quantitative research study to investigate an applied issue in psychology
3. use statistical software to explore and analyse basic types of quantitative data
4. communicate research findings in a style that is suitable for technical reports

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)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1,2,3,4
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	2,3
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	4
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	N/A
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	2
Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.	N/A
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	3
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	N/A

Learning Resources
Required Resources
Course Texts

Required readings in Modules 1 and 2 will be taken from:
- Coolican, H. (2024). Research methods and statistics in psychology (8th ed.). Routledge.
Required readings in Modules 3 - 6 will be taken from:
- Howitt, D., & Cramer, D. (2020). Understanding statistics in psychology with SPSS (8th ed.). Pearson.
Online copies of both textbooks are available via the University of Adelaide library.

Software

For Modules 3 - 6, students need to install a free cross-platform statistical software package called JASP onto their computer. Guidance will be provided in the course on how to do this.
Recommended Resources

N/A

Online Learning

This is a fully online offering. MyUni will be used for all course materials, communication, links to curated resources, online tutorial support and assignments including submissions, feedback and grades.
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes

Engagement with course content is facilitated by online presentations, interactive online activities, curated readings and resources, and self directed research and study supported by weekly online tutorial sessions. There are six weekly modules with learning scaffolded across the modules to ensure that students develop deep discipline knowledge as well as the academic literacy, research skills and capacity to apply and communicate their understanding as specified for an AQF8 level offering.

Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
This course is a six week intensive, accelerated learning offering. Students should expect to approximately 25 hours per week engaging with the online content, in private study, attending online tutorials, and completing the coursework assignments.

Indicative hours per week:
- 1.5 hours - Tutorial
- 1 hour - Tutorial Preparation
- 9 hours - Assessment related tasks
- 10 hours - Engaging with online content (e.g, video presentations, podcasts, directed research activities, discussions, interactive tasks)
- 3.5 hours - Readings
Learning Activities Summary
The course has six modules. Students study one module per week. The modules, and their indicative content, are:

Module 1: Introduction to research methods
- Why are research methods important?
- Measuring constructs and people
- Sampling
- Reliability and validity
Module 2: Experiments and experimental designs
- Defining features of an experiment
- Core experiment concepts
- Experimental designs
- Quasi-experiments and non-experiments
- Research ethics
Module 3: Descriptive statistics, plots, and correlation
- Introduction to JASP
- Measures of central tendency and variability
- Histograms and boxplots
- Scatterplots and correlation
Module 4: Statistical theory
- Probability and statistics
- Samples and populations
- Estimation and confidence intervals
- Null hypothesis significance testing
Module 5: Comparing two groups
- Choosing the right statistical test
- Standard scores and the one-sample t-test
- Independent samples t-test
- Paired samples t-test
- Checking t-test assumptions
Module 6: Comparing more than two groups
- Independent one-way ANOVA
- Multiple comparisons and post-hoc tests
- Assumptions of one-way ANOVA
- Repeated measures one-way ANOVA
Specific Course Requirements

Nil

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	Task Type	Due	Weighting	Learning Outcome
Assessment 1: Quizzes	Summative	Sunday Weeks 1, 3, & 5 11.59pm	20%	1
Assessment 2: Research proposal	Summative	Sunday Week 4 11.59pm	40%	2
Assessment 3: Data analysis and reporting	Summative	Sun Week 6 11.59pm	40%	3, 4

Assessment Related Requirements

Submission via Turnitin. All assignments are due by 11:59pm on the Sunday at the end of the week in which they are due. A penalty of 5% per day applies for late submissions.

Extensions are granted on medical, compassionate or other special circumstances recognised under the University’s Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy. The completed extension application form and any documentation (such as a medical or counsellor's certification) should be emailed to the course coordinator and submitted before the due date. The course coordinator will consider the request in the light of the case made and University deadlines, and may grant an extension of up to three days.

Assessment Detail

Assessment 1: Quizzes (20%, due weeks 1, 3, and 5)
This is composed of three 10-item quizzes that take place in Weeks 1, 3, and 5. Students will have 30 minutes to answer the questions.

Assessment 2: Research proposal (40%, due week 4)
This task requires students to write a 1200-word research proposal that outlines plans for an experiment to investigate ONE of the following real-world issues: mobile phone use and driver distraction, adolescent sleep and academic performance, or exposure to nature and wellbeing.

Assessment 3: Data analysis and reporting (40%, due week 6)
The assessment requires students to analyse data using statistical tests taught in the course (correlation, t-tests and ANOVA), answer short answer questions about the tests, and report the test results.

Submission

Fully online course - e-submission and marking

Course Grading

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

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

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
Counselling for Fully Online Postgraduate Students

Fully online students can access counselling services here:

Phone: 1800 512 155 (24/7)

SMS service: 0439 449 876 (24/7)

Email: info@assureprograms.com.au

Go to the Study Smart Hub to learn more, or speak to your Student Success Advisor (SSA) on 1300 296 648 (Monday to Thursday, 8.30am–5pm ACST/ACDT, Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm ACST/ACDT)
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