Overview

This unit provides students with an understanding of different research designs and research methods for psychology and health sciences. Students will gain familiarity with the scientific method, ethical issues in research, measurement, experimental research, survey research, qualitative research and mixed methods research. Students will be given the opportunity to develop professionally relevant knowledge in the selection and evaluation of research designs and methods and how to collect data that will address specific research questions.

Requisites

Prerequisites
PSY70010 Introduction to Research Methods

Rules

Pre-requisite
Admission into GD-PSYD Graduate Diploma of Psychology

Teaching Periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Teaching Period 2
Location
Online
Start and end dates
08-July-2024
06-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
21-July-2024
Census date
02-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
23-August-2024
Results released date
29-October-2024

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Explain the scientific method and scientific thinking principles
  • Apply knowledge of ethical issues in research
  • Describe the main concepts of measurement and various sampling methods
  • Explain the general concept of an experiment and a quasi-experiment and the strengths and weaknesses of these designs for different research problems
  • Critique a range of research designs and methods and be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each method
  • Develop appropriate research designs and select research methods to address hypothetical and real world problems

Teaching methods

Swinburne Online

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Live Online
Class
1.00 6 weeks 6
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning
12.00 12 weeks 144
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Assignment 1Individual 15% 3,4,5 
ExaminationIndividual 50% 1,2,3,4,5 
Research ProjectIndividual 35% 2,3,4,5,6 

Content

  • Scientific Method
  • Research Approaches and Data Collection Methods
  • Measurement and Sampling
  • Ethical Issues in Research
  • Experiments and experimental designs
  • Quasi-experiments and non-experiments
  • Survey research
  • Qualitative and Mixed Methods research
  • Analysing and Interpreting Data

Study resources

Reading materials

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