Course outline
Code: PSY201
Title: Research Methods in Psychology B
Faculty of Arts and Business
School of Social Sciences
Teaching Session: Semester 2
Year: 2015
Course Coordinator:
Dr Geoff Lovell
Room:
T2.08
Phone:
(07) 5456 5100
Email:
glovell@usc.edu.au
1.
What is this course about?
1.1
Course description
This course will introduce you to statistical analysis of psychological data including the use of SPSS to
conduct these analyses.
1.2
Course content

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

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2.
12 units
Non-parametric statistics
Statistical methods
Frequency
Central tendency and variability
Statistical tests of difference
Statistical tests of relationship
Unit value
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Course Outline: PSY201 Research Methods in Psychology B
3.
How does this course contribute to my learning?
Specific Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of
this course you should be able
to:
Analyse data obtained from
psychological research and
practice.
Understand the key features
and concepts of descriptive
and inferential statistics
Understand basic functions
and applications of the
Statistical Package for Social
Scientists (SPSS)
Report and interpret the
results of statistical analyses
4.
Assessment Tasks
Graduate Qualities
You will be assessed on the
learning outcome in task/s:
Completing these tasks successfully
will contribute to you becoming:
1, 2 and 3
Knowledgeable.
1, 2 and 3
Knowledgeable.
1, 2 and 3
Knowledgeable.
2
Empowered.
Am I eligible to enrol in this course?
Refer to the Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of “pre-requisites, corequisites and anti-requisites”
4.1
Enrolment restrictions
Nil
4.2
Pre-requisites
PSY100 and PSY101
4.3
Co-requisites
Nil
4.4
Anti-requisites
Nil
4.5
Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills
N/A
5.
How am I going to be assessed?
5.1
Grading scale
Standard – High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL)
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Course Outline: PSY201 Research Methods in Psychology B
5.2
Assessment tasks
Task
No.
Assessment Tasks
Individual
or Group
Weighting
%
Multiple choice test
Statistics test
Short answer and
multiple choice
questions examination
Individual
Individual
Individual
25%
35%
40%
1
2
3
What is the
duration /
length?
50 minutes
50 minutes
2 hours
When should I
submit?
Week 5
Week 12
Central
examination
period
Where
should I
submit it?
In tutorial
In tutorial
In exam
venue
100%
Assessment Task 1: Multiple choice test
Goal:
Demonstrate an understanding of statistical concepts and analyses in psychological
research. You will sit a multiple choice test in Week 5 of the semester. The test will be
conducted in class and will be based on material covered in the weeks leading up to the
week of the test. The test is designed to provide you with interim feedback on your
understanding of statistical concepts and analyses in psychological research in
preparation for the final examination.
Product: Test
Format:
Multiple choice examination
Criteria
Accuracy of test answers
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Problem solving
Developing
Assessment Task 2: Statistics test
Goal:
Demonstrate a practical ability in conducting and interpreting statistical analyses in
psychological research. You will sit a short answer test in Week 12 of the semester. The
test will be conducted in class; you will be asked to conduct and interpret statistical
analyses using SPSS. The test will be open book.
Product: Test
Format:
Short answers
Criteria
Accuracy of test answers
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Communication
Developing
Information Literacy
Developing
Assessment Task 3: Short answer and multiple choice questions examination
Goal:
Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of using statistics when analysing data
obtained from psychological research and practice and being empowered to identify the
statistical methodology and delivery of data analysis.
Product: Exam
Format:
The final examination will contain multiple choice and short answer questions that cover
material selected from all 13 weeks of the curriculum
Criteria
Accuracy of test answers
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Problem solving
Developing
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Course Outline: PSY201 Research Methods in Psychology B
5.3
Additional assessment requirements
SafeAssign
In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its
assessment tasks are submitted electronically via SafeAssign. This software allows for text comparisons to
be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that SafeAssign has access to. If
required, details of how to submit via SafeAssign will be provided on the Blackboard site of the course.
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment
Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
c) You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
5.4
Submission penalties
Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate:
 5% (of the assessment task’s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified
as the due date for the assessment task.
 10% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the third day
 20% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and
including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task.
 A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date
identified as the due date for the assessment task.
Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must
contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
6.
How is the course offered?
6.1
Directed study hours
On campus Lecture: 2 hours per week
On campus Computer Workshop: 1 hour per week
6.2
Teaching semester/session(s) offered
Semester 2
6.3
Course activities
Teaching
Week /
Module
1
2
3
What key concepts/content will I
learn?
Displaying order in a group of
numbers using tables and graphs
Central tendency and variability
4
Key ingredients for inferential
statistics and what test when
Introduction to hypothesis testing
5
Hypothesis testing with means of
What activities will I engage in to learn the
concepts/content?
Directed Study
Independent Study
Activities
Activities
Lecture
Lecture and
Computer Workshop
Lecture and
Computer Workshop
Lecture and
Computer Workshop
Lecture and in class
Chapter 1: Aron, Aron,
& Coups (2009)
Chapter 2: Aron, Aron,
& Coups (2009)
Chapter 3: Aron, Aron,
& Coups (2009)
Chapter 4: Aron, Aron,
& Coups (2009)
Chapter 5: Aron, Aron,
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Course Outline: PSY201 Research Methods in Psychology B
8
samples
Making sense of statistical
significance
Introduction to t-tests: Single samples
and dependent means
Independent means t-test
9
Introduction to ANOVA
6
7
10
Monday,
5th October
Labour Day
Public
Holiday
11
Factorial ANOVA
test
Lecture and
Computer Workshop
Lecture and
Computer Workshop
Lecture and
Computer Workshop
Lecture and
Computer Workshop
Mid Semester Break
Lecture and
Computer Workshop
Correlation
Lecture and
Computer Workshop
12
Regression
Lecture and in class
test
13
Chi square and other non-parametric Lecture and
statistical tests
Computer Workshop
Study Period
Central Examination Period
End of Semester Break
Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation.
7.
What resources do I need to undertake this course?
7.1
Prescribed text(s)
& Coups (2009)
Chapter 6: Aron, Aron,
& Coups (2009)
Chapter 7: Aron, Aron,
& Coups (2009)
Chapter 8: Aron, Aron,
& Coups (2009)
Chapter 9: Aron, Aron,
& Coups (2009)
Chapter 10: Aron,
Aron, & Coups (2009)
Chapter 11: Aron,
Aron, & Coups (2009)
Chapter 12: Aron,
Aron, & Coups (2009)
Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below:
Author
Year
Title
Publisher
Aron, A., Coups, E. J., &
2013
Statistics for Psychology
Pearson.
th
Aron, E. N.
(6 edn.)
Coakes, S. J.
SPSS Version 20.0 for
Wiley
Windows: Analysis without
Anguish
7.2
Required and recommended readings
Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These
materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further
information regarding particular aspects of your course.
7.3
Specific requirements
N/A
7.4
Risk management
There is minimal health and safety risk in this course. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the
Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas.
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Course Outline: PSY201 Research Methods in Psychology B
8.
How can I obtain help with my studies?
In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Student Life and Learning
provides additional assistance to all students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can
drop in or book an appointment. To book: Tel: +61 7 5430 1226 or Email:
StudentLifeandLearning@usc.edu.au
9.
Links to relevant University policies and procedures
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
 Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
 Review of Assessment and Final Grades
 Supplementary Assessment
 Administration of Central Examinations
 Deferred Examinations
 Student Academic Misconduct
 Students with a Disability
http://www.usc.edu.au/university/governance-and-executive/policies-and-procedures#academic-learningand-teaching
10.
Faculty specific information
Locating Journal Articles
If you have been notified that any journal articles in this course are available on e-reserve, use the on-line
library catalogue to find them. For journal articles not on e-reserve, click on the "Journals and Newspapers"
link on the Library Homepage. Enter the journal title e.g. History Australia, then search for the volume and
issue or keyword as needed.
Assignment Cover Sheets
The Faculty of Arts and Business assignment cover sheet can be found on Blackboard or on the USC Portal
at: Faculty of Arts and Business (Students) > Forms. It must be completed in full identifying student name,
assignment topic, tutor and tutorial time. This must be attached securely to the front of each assessment
item prior to submission. Claims of loss of assignments will not be considered unless supported by a
receipt.
Help: If you are experiencing problems with your studies or academic work, consult your tutor in the first
instance or the Course Coordinator as quickly as possible. Timely assistance can prevent a problem turning
into a major issue.
Difficulties: If you are experiencing difficulties relating to teaching and assessment you should approach
your tutor in the first instance. If not satisfied after that you should approach in order your Course
Coordinator, Program Coordinator, then Head of School.
General enquiries and student support
Faculty Student Centre
Tel: +61 7 5430 1259
Fax: +61 7 5430 2859
Email: FABinfo@usc.edu.au