Unit Outline

This unit (concurrently with KHA457) involves developing, conducting, and reporting a substantial independent study of a psychological nature. There are three major components to the research project. First, under the guidance of your supervisor, you will review the relevant research literature, develop a research question, design a study, and prepare a written research proposal. This written proposal is distributed to two assessors, who will provide written feedback. You will also present a version of your proposal in a seminar to staff and other Honours students. This process is the mechanism for gaining School approval for your project, and an important step in gaining ethical approval. Second, once you have ethical approval, you will conduct a piece of research and analyse and interpret your data. Then you will present the results of your research as part of the Honours Results Day. Finally, you will submit a 7,000 word written thesis.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Source, critically appraise, and synthesise scientific literature.
2	Design research methodology to test research questions.
3	Analyse and interpret research data in the context of a research project.
4	Communicate to a scientific audience in a variety of formats.
5	Manage the research process in a professional and ethical manner.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	Admission into M4Y
Concurrent Pre-requisite	KHA451 - Research Design & Ethics AND KHA457 - Research Project A

Alterations as a result of student feedback

In response to the feedback from previous student cohort, changes have been made which may include adjustments to assessments and alignment of some of the timelines. As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2026, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s Unit Survey following your completion of the unit.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Results Presentation	Week 10	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 2:	Thesis	Week 12	85 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 3:	Supervisor assessment	Refer to Assessment Description	5 %	LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Results Presentation

Task Description:

You will present the outcomes of your Honours research project at a mini-conference at the School of Psychological Sciences.

Task Length:

Variable

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain the research rationale, aim, and hypotheses.	LO1
2	Describe the research design, methodology, and data analysis.	LO2
3	Interpret and contextualise research results.	LO3
4	Communicate research in written and verbal formats.	LO4, LO5

Assessment Task 2: Thesis

Task Description:

You will submit a 7,000 word research thesis.

Task Length:

7,000 words

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

85 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Critically analyse research literature to develop a research rationale, aims, and hypotheses.	LO1
2	Explain research design and methodology.	LO2
3	Analyse and interpret data to test research questions and hypotheses.	LO3
4	Interpret and contextulise research findings.	LO1, LO3
5	Communicate in the scientific genre.	LO4, LO5

Assessment Task 3: Supervisor assessment

Task Description:

Your research supervisor will provide an assessment on your approach to the research project throughout the year.
Due Date: ongoing

Task Length:

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

5 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply professional and ethical standards to the management of the research project.	LO5
2	Engage proactively in research supervision.	LO4, LO5
3	Work independently to manage time.	LO5

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks (i.e., written proposal and Proposal presentation).
Your grade will be determined in the following way:

Your final result is determined in accordance with the unit’s assessment information (see above). Marks for the results presentation, written thesis, and supervisor rating are totalled together to contribute to the specified percentage. 
The results presentation and thesis are:

Marked independently by two markers

Subjected to moderation procedures (e.g., third-marking where required)

Reviewed at the appropriate examiners meeting.

Marks are reviewed by the Unit Coordinator and School of Psychological Sciences Assessment Committee in accordance with University policy. Grades and marks are also reviewed by the College of Health and Medicine Assessors’ Committee.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.