Overview

In this unit, students commence a research project on a psychological topic that they will complete in Honours Thesis B. Students will create a plan for their project and consider the feasibility and sustainability of their project work. Students will: undertake a literature review to develop skills in locating, critiquing, and synthesising research; learn about research applications of digital technology, and; develop a practical understanding of ethical principles for human research. Student project work is supported by an academic supervisor, and group classes provide a forum for learning about a range of issues in contemporary research.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Admission into BH-PSY Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) AND 300 Credit Points in spk(s): BH-PSY

OR

Admission into BH-PSYSC Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours)

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
01-March-2027
30-May-2027
Last self-enrolment date
14-March-2027
Census date
30-March-2027
Last withdraw without fail date
20-April-2027
Results released date
06-July-2027

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
 

  1. Analyse and evaluate requirements, methods, and results of psychological research
  2. Work sustainably with a high degree of independence to plan and undertake research activities
  3. Select and apply appropriate concepts, techniques, and technologies for the ethical conduct of psychological research
  4. Communicate research concepts, processes, and findings
  5. Conduct a review of empirical research literature

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Activity Type Activity Total Hours Number of Weeks Venue Type and Activity Detail
Live Online Class 14 7 weeks

 
On-campus Lecture 6 3 weeks

 
Specified Activities Supervisor Meetings 12 12 weeks Research project supervision
Unspecified Activities Various 60 12 weeks Weekly readings, posting questions, reading, discussion board posts
Unspecified Activities Independent Learning 208 12 weeks Independent study, assignment preparation, revision
Total Hours: 300  

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Project Proposal Individual  10-30%  1,2,3,4
Literature Review Individual  10-20%  1,2,3,4,5
Test Individual  10-30%  1,3

Content

  • Designing and critiquing empirical research studies
  • Development of research questions and hypotheses
  • Locating and accessing research literature and other information sources
  • Techniques for reviewing research literature
  • Data collection and access considerations
  • Ethical issues for research involving human participants
  • Project management and self-care
  • Graduate Attribute 2 (Communication 2 - Communicating using different media)
  • Graduate Attribute 5 (Digital Literacies 1 - Information literacy)
  • Graduate Attribute 6 (Digital Literacies 2 - Technical literacy)

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.