Unit Outline

The field of psychology has an aim that, on the surface, appears straightforward: to understand human behaviour. However, human behaviour is varied and complex, and achieving this goal presents a considerable challenge. Researchers must be familiar with and adhere to regulatory requirements to ensure that research is consistent with ethical principles. The breadth of questions that psychology attempts to answer demands researchers are able to employ a wide array of research methods and design principles. The variety of data collected in psychological research, and the purposes for which data is collected, requires that researchers make informed choices from a range of data analysis tools. Researchers must also make decisions about the format and style of presentation for summarising and reporting conceptual and numerical information for a variety of audiences. In this unit you will examine research methods that will help you design studies to investigate questions about relationships and differences among psychologically relevant variables. You will learn when and how to use data analysis methods to summarise data, test statistical hypotheses and interpret the results for relationships and differences among variables. You will learn about the principles that underlie ethical research, in relation to both research participants and the conduct of researchers themselves. The skills and knowledge developed in this unit will provide you with the necessary tools to critically evaluate research from the major sub-disciplines of psychology, as well as a wide-range of other science-based disciplines.

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	Explain the strengths and limitations of fundamental research methods within specified research contexts.
2	Select and conduct fundamental statistical analyses to test hypotheses about relationships and differences in specified research scenarios.
3	Interpret and communicate the methods and results of example research studies with attention to the informational needs of an academic audience.
4	Compare the quality of ethical practices adopted in research examples with national standards for ethical research involving diverse populations.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	PSY111
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	KHA201 or KHB100

Alterations as a result of student feedback

In response to the feedback from the 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.

Teaching arrangements


ATTENDANCE MODE	TEACHING TYPE	LEARNING ACTIVITY	CONTACT HOURS	FREQUENCY
On Campus	Lecture (Online)	2-hour online lecture modules weekly	2	Weekly
	Practical	Weekly practical classes, each comprising of 2-hour face-to-face activities (practical classes begin in Week 1).	2	StudyPeriod 11 times
	Independent Learning	4 hours weekly of independent study activities to complement online lecture modules and practical exercises (e.g., readings, extra practice exercises, discussion board posts)	4	Weekly
Online	Lecture (Online)	2-hour online lecture modules weekly	2	Weekly
	Independent Learning	4 hours weekly of independent study activities to complement online lecture modules and practical exercises (e.g., readings, extra practice exercises, discussion board posts)	4	Weekly
	Individual Study	Weekly Practical exercises, each comprising 2 hours of self-directed activities linked to the online modules (beginning in Week 1). There are no scheduled class times associated with these.	2	StudyPeriod 11 times

Attendance / engagement expectations

If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.

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:	Written Assignment	Week 11	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Practical exercises portfolio	Refer to Assessment Description	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Final Exam	Exam Period	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Written Assignment

Task Description:

You will be provided with data sets and descriptions of hypothetical research studies (including research methods and hypothesis). Using that information, you will apply your developing knowledge of research methods and statistical analysis to analyse the data, report the results using various presentation formats (e.g., in-text summaries, tables and figures), and interpret the results in light of the methods.

Task Length:

1,200 words

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Summarise, describe, and critique the application of research methods and procedures.	LO1, LO2
2	Select, conduct, and describe appropriate data analysis methods.	LO2
3	Present data clearly and effectively using tables, figures and/or text.	LO3
4	Write with clarity and concision.	LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Practical exercises portfolio

Task Description:

Weekly practical exercises provide hands-on opportunities to apply concepts introduced in lectures and assigned readings. Practicals will include, for example, critiquing and developing research designs, analysing and interpreting data, and communicating results.
Due Date: weekly

Task Length:

Variable

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe the relationship between research design and data analysis	LO1, LO2
2	Critique research designs and statistical analyses	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Conduct, interpret and report statistical analyses	LO3
4	Describe ethical principles and scientific integrity and apply these to research contexts	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Final Exam

Task Description:

The final exam will be scheduled by the Examinations Office and held during the exam period. See the Examinations and Results page on the University’s website, or access your personal exams timetable for specific date, time and location closer to the examination period.

Task Length:

2 hours

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe the relationship between research design and data analysis	LO1, LO2
2	Critique research designs and statistical analyses	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Conduct, interpret and report statistical analyses	LO3
4	Describe ethical principles and scientific integrity and apply these to research contexts	LO4

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.

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.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

You will need the following text:

Burton, L. J., et al. (2018). Psychology Research Methods. (1st Ed.) Wiley.
Available in print and e-rental versions.