Overview
This unit, when combined with PSYC421, PSYC423, PSYC424 and PSYC402H/PSYC403H for Honours or PSYC421, PSYC423, PSYC424 and PSYC412 for the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced), provides a fourth year accredited by The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. The fourth year in Psychology has been described as a capstone experience, a finishing stone that provides closure to your undergraduate education in Psychology. At the same time, the fourth year is the beginning of your future learning in the workforce or in postgraduate education. In PSYC 422 we will work on critically evaluating the published literature as well as learning practical data analysis and research methods skills.
Recent updates to this unit
Changes that have been actioned as a direct result of student feedback on this unit include a “flipped classroom” model for the Intensive School. In 2018, students noted that they would prefer to have the lectures online rather than attend lectures during the Intensive School, so in 2019 we began doing exactly that, and the PSYC422 component of the Intensive School is now composed entirely of hands-on interactive activities designed to help get you thinking creatively and scientifically about research design and statistical analysis, as well as to equip you with skills that will be useful in 4th year and beyond.
Other changes that have been incorporated recently include more practical statistical content, dealing with real datasets and learning how to select the right statistical test for different types of research questions, as this was a gap we saw in the knowledge students had when beginning on their research projects in previous years.
In 2021 we pmade all of the course materials Open Educational Resources (OERs), and began using an Open Textbook, Research Methods in Psychology, as well as supplementary readings from journal articles, blogs, podcasts and other sources. This text will also be used in 2023. I have updated the link to the most recent edition, which includes the option to buy a hard copy version (for $11.75) if desired.
In addition, we are not requiring students to purchase SPSS for the statistical component of this course, though they may use it if they choose. All statistical analyses can be completed in the free software package jamovi, and all demonstrations will be shown in that software. During the trimester I will also post links to other free textbooks and statistical learning resources.