Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Psychology and Social Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Preparation of Thesis Proposal

• Unit Code

  PSY5189

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  20

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  Online

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Description

In this unitstudentsconceive an appropriate research methodology and analysis techniques to investigate a research question (or questions), and write a research proposal. Under the supervision of a member of the Psychology teaching staff, students develop their research skillsby designing a research project which extends existing knowledge in a psychological domain. Students will further their knowledge of the ethical conduct of research through an intensive residential school.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded HPS5101, PSY4160

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Conduct a review of the literature in a psychological domain.
2. Design a research project with appropriate methodological and analysis techniques that will answer the research questions posed.
3. Identify a deficit in knowledge that might be filled through empirical investigation.
4. Identify a theoretical framework and generate research questions that address the deficit.

Unit Content

1. Conceive a research topic.
2. Plan, design and write a research proposal including application for Ethics Approval, where appropriate.
3. Review a research proposal in light of reviewers' advice.
4. The major curricula topics covered in this unit will depend upon the students research question. In general, the unit will address how to:

Additional Learning Experience Information

Online delivery supported by discussion groups, study modules and prescribed texts with an on-campus residential school (Joondalup campus).

Assessment

GS4 GRADING SCHEMA 4 Used for undifferentiated pass/fail units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
• Denzin, N., & Lincoln, Y. (Eds.). (2000). Handbook of qualitative research (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
• Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2001). Using multivariate statistics (4th ed.). New York: Harper & Row.
• Smith, J. (Ed.). (2003). Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
• Liamputtong, P. (2009) Qualitative research methods (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Coakes, S. J., & Steed, L. G. (2009). SPSS: Analysis without anguish (Version 14.0 for Windows). Milton, Qld: John Wiley & Sons Australia.
• Howell, D. C. (2009). Statistical methods for psychology (7th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Duxbury/Thompson Learning.

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