VCE Psychology
Implementation Frequently Asked Questions
Question: With students being expected to design and investigate their own research questions, what are
my responsibilities in terms of meeting ethical requirements and school ethics committees?
Answer: The VCE Psychology study design (page 9) provides references relevant to ethical guidelines in
conducting research, including the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2007.
Particularly relevant sections of this document for schools are:

Chapter 2.1, pp 15–18 (classification of risk)

Chapter 4.2, pp 55–57 (research relating to children)

Section 5 (processes of review).
It is expected that students would undertake activities classified as ‘low risk’. Section 5.1.3 states
‘Institutions may establish their own processes for ethical review of research, or use those of another
institution’, with Sections 5.1.18−5.1.21 providing suggestions as to how this may be done, and Section
5.1.20(a) specifying ‘review or assessment at department level by the head of department’ would cover
the situations in most Victorian secondary schools. VCE Psychology teachers and their students have
been conducting psychological research across hundreds of schools for more than 20 years, with parents’
informed consent, as well as the consent of the teacher(s) involved, the relevant Head of Department and
school principal. A formal review committee, although mandated in research institutions, may be
considered in reviews of secondary school management structures.
Question: In Unit 4 Outcome 2, can different students in the class study a different mental disorder?
Answer: Yes. The class may all study the same mental disorder, or teachers may allow students to study
one of four mental disorders: specific phobia, major depression, gambling or schizophrenia. It is expected
that students will use a biopsychosocial framework in the study of the selected disorder. Teachers are
reminded that where optional assessment tasks are used, teachers must ensure that they are comparable in
scope and demand.
Question: With the discontinuation of mid-year examinations, are we now able to rearrange the content
of Units 3 and 4 so that some content in Unit 4 is taught in Semester 1 and some content in Unit 3 is
taught in Semester 2?
Answer: Results for School-assessed Coursework and satisfactory completion of Unit 3 outcomes must
be reported early in Semester 2, as per the Important Administrative Dates for each year, which are
published on the VCAA website: www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/pages/schooladmin/admindates/index.aspx.
© VCAA, July 2013
VCE BIOLOGY
However, teachers may wish to draw on relevant conceptual links from Unit 4 in the delivery of Unit 3
outcomes. Similarly, drawing on Unit 3 concepts when delivering Unit 4 outcomes serves to strengthen
conceptual understanding and make links between different concepts.
© VCAA, July 2013
2