Research Methods in Psychology

    Unit code: APP3035 | Study level: Undergraduate
    12
    (Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
    Footscray Park
    APP2014 - Psychology 2B; and
    APP2101 - Intercultural and Developmental Issues in Psychology; or
    HPP2001 - Developmental Psychology
    (Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
    Overview
    Enquire

    Overview

    This unit of study will critically review research design, with a focus on the importance of selecting measurement tools that are psychometrically valid and reliable when conducting quantitative research. There is an emphasis throughout the unit on the selection of appropriate statistical analyses with respect to the model of non-significance hypothesis testing and effect sizes. Students will review the theoretical foundations of univariate analyses (including varied ANOVA techniques), correlation and regression, and continue to develop their SPSS skills for analysis with small and large data sets. Students will also be introduced to multivariate analyses.

    Learning Outcomes

    On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

    1. Interrogate the validity and usefulness of various types of quantitative research design, including psychometric evaluation of measures;
    2. Critically deduce the appropriate statistical procedures for analysis of different types of research data;
    3. Interpret various statistical analyses as produced by SPSS;
    4. Critically review literature relevant to research report; and
    5. Conceptualise, undertake and write up a psychological research project

    Assessment

    For Melbourne campuses

    Assessment type: Presentation
    |
    Grade: 20%
    Group oral presentation of research proposal
    Assessment type: Report
    |
    Grade: 60%
    Individual research project that demonstrates application of appropriate statistical methods, description and discussion of findings (1800 words)
    Assessment type: Test
    |
    Grade: 20%
    Two in-class tests (Test 1: 1.5 hours worth 10%; Test 2: 1.5 hours worth 10%)

    Required reading

    Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics
    Field, A. (2018).| SAGE Publications Ltd.

    Search for units, majors & minors