Psychological Research and Evaluation A
Overview
Students will gain important professional skills in being able to critically evaluate and review contemporary scientific literature, with the aim of working collaboratively in a team to design a research project on a topic related to educational and developmental psychological practice. Research projects will be undertaken in small groups and align with one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Students will also learn real-world skills in applying for ethical research approval, ensuring that their research and evaluation projects are underpinned by ethical research principles.
Requisites
Rules
Admission to MA-EDPSY Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental Psychology)
31-October-2027
Unit learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Critically evaluate contemporary scientific literature
- Work with co-investigators to design a research study to investigate a topic relevant to the discipline of educational and developmental psychology and that aligns with one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
- Initiate and lead research ethics approval through the standard Human Research Ethics Committee approval process
- Understand how to engage in culturally competent research practices
- Develop self-awareness and critically interrogate positionality, competency, and biases/prejudices in the context of research and evaluation practices
Teaching methods
Hawthorn Online
| Activity Type | Activity | Total Hours | Number of Weeks | Hours Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Online | Lecture | 12 | 12 weeks | 1 |
| Online | Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 114 | 12 weeks | 9.5 |
| Specified Activities | Supervisor Meetings | 24 | 12 weeks | 2 |
| Total Hours: | 150 | Total Hours (per week): | 12.5 | |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULOs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journal | Individual | 20% | 4,5 |
| Literature Review Presentation | Group | 40% | 1,2,4,5 |
| Research Plan | Group | 40% | 1,2,3 |
Content
- Critical evaluation of literature relevant to research methods and students specific research topics
- Research and evaluation methods, with a focus on qualitative research
- Research validity and reliability
- Historical and contemporary issues in psychological research, with a focus on bias and systemic issues
- How psychological research connects with clinical practice
- Ethical and culturally competent research practice
- Understanding positionality and effectively engaging in reflective research practice
- Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Verbal communication
- Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Communicating using different media
- Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Collaboration and negotiation
- Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Teamwork roles and processes
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.