Course Title: Research Methods in Psychology

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Research Methods in Psychology

Credit Points: 12.00

Important Information:

 

 


Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BESC1449

City Campus

Undergraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016

BESC1449

City Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024

BESC1450

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016

BESC1451

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015

BESC1452

City Campus

Postgraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015

BESC1480

Bundoora Campus

Research

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013

BESC1531

RMIT University Vietnam

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Viet1 2023,
Viet1 2024

BESC1562

RMIT Vietnam Hanoi Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Viet1 2024

Course Coordinator: Dr Yang Yap

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925

Course Coordinator Email: yang.yap@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Enforced Pre-Requisite Courses

Successful completion of:

Note: it is a condition of enrolment at RMIT that you accept responsibility for ensuring that you have completed the prerequisite/s and agree to concurrently enrol in co-requisite courses before enrolling in a course.

For information go to RMIT Course Requisites webpage.


Course Description

This course will present you with an introduction to the major methodological principles and data analysis techniques used in applied human research. During the course you will cover principles of research methods, including research design, the scientific process and measurement techniques. Further data analysis techniques will be covered in the context of the use of the Jamovi statistical analysis software. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the development of the following Program Learning Outcomes for BP154P23 Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology):

PLO 1: Apply breadth and depth of psychology theories, concepts and evidence in various real-world settings using a scientific approach.
PLO 2:  Apply evidence-based knowledge to conceptualise safe and effective practice in a variety of contexts, independently and collaboratively, with emerging technological advancements.

This course contributes to the development of the following Program Learning Outcomes for BH106SOSDD Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) /Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology):

PLO 2.1 Ability to employ a variety of approaches and procedures to inquiry and research that permit judgements and decisions to be clearly substantiated

PLO 3.2 Ability to work independently and with others to identify and resolve problems of mutual concern in constructive and creative ways

PLO 3.3 Ability to critically analyse and interpret the scientific literature for the purpose of problem solving solutions to psychological problems 

PLO 4.2 Ability to communicate in a range of forms (written, electronic, graphic, oral) and to tailer the style and means of communication to the circumstances of the situation and capabilities of the audience

This course contributes to the development of the following Program Learning Outcomes for BP112     Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology):

PLO 3. Apply logical, critical and creative thinking from the psychological and the social sciences to respond effectively to a range of issues associated with changing social, cultural and political contexts. 

PLO 5. Communicate effectively using appropriate formats, media and styles to a range of audiences including other professionals, the public and government agencies.

PLO 6. Design, conduct and critically evaluate evidence-based ethical research projects in the psychological and social sciences. 

This course contributes to the development of the following Program Learning Outcomes for BP295P16 Bachelor of Criminology and Psychology):

PLO 2. Demonstrate a capacity to employ a variety of approaches and procedures to research to permit judgments and decisions to be supported by appropriate evidence that places practice within a global and local context

PLO 3. Apply knowledge to diagnose and solve problems in a wide range of diverse situations, with an ability to work independently or with others and incorporate the analysis of evidence based scientific literature to solve psychological problems


On successful completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Review a range of research designs used in applied human research. 
  2. Explain the theory and underlying assumptions of statistical methods.
  3. Select and perform the appropriate statistical analyses using Jamovi software.
  4. Interpret and report the results of statistical analyses in APA format. 


Overview of Learning Activities

The course will consist of flexibly delivered lecture material and tutorial classes run mostly using SPSS statistical analysis computer software. Online support will be provided via the course’s Canvas site accessible through myRMIT. Tutorial classes will be based around practical examples of data collection, which will be analysed using SPSS.

The assessment associated with this course will comprise formative and summative elements and will comprise online weekly tests, a data analysis assignment and a research methods report. These assessments may also include use of online technology and are designed to require students to demonstrate a critical analysis of the core principles presented in the course.

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course. 


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks

Formative Assessment Task: 10 x Formative Online Weekly Quizzes 
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1 & 2 

Assessment Task 2: Data Analysis Assignment 
Weighting 35%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 3, & 4 

Assessment Task 3: Research Methods Report 
Weighting 45%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 3, & 4 

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.