Introduction to Research Methods

PSY70010 12.5 Credit Points Online

Duration

  • One Semester or equivalent

Contact hours

  • Swinburne Online: Fully online

On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning. For Online unit delivery, learning is conducted exclusively online.

2023 teaching periods

Swinburne Online

Teaching Period 1		 Swinburne Online

Teaching Period 3

Dates:
13 Mar 23 - 11 Jun 23

Results:
4 Jul 23

Last self enrolment:
26 Mar 23

Census:
7 Apr 23

Last withdraw without fail:
28 Apr 23

Dates:
6 Nov 23 - 11 Feb 24

Results:
5 Mar 24

Last self enrolment:
19 Nov 23

Census:
1 Dec 23

Last withdraw without fail:
29 Dec 23

Prerequisites

Admission into GD-PSYS Graduate Diploma of Psychology

Aims and objectives

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.

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Explain the scientific method and scientific thinking principles.
2. Apply knowledge of ethical issues in research.
3. Describe the main concepts of measurement and various sampling methods.
4. Explain the general concept of an experiment and a quasi-experiment and the strengths and weaknesses of these designs for different research problems.
5. Critique a range of research designs and methods and be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each method.
6. Develop appropriate research designs and select research methods to address hypothetical and real world problems.

Courses with unit

Graduate Diploma of Psychology