Students
PSY 335 – Cognitive Processes II
2014 – S2 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit convenor
Sachiko Kinoshita
Contact via by email
S2.6 Rm 3.803, phone: 9850 8004
Mon 9-10, Fri 8-10
Unit convenor
Jon Brock
Contact via 9850 6869
S2.6 Rm 3.821
Tues 8-10, Fri 10-11
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
6cp at 200 level including (PSY237(P) or PSY246(P))
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
PSY222 or PSY248
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
PSY335 is NCCW with PSY303.
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit examines recent research and theory on topics in cognitive processes. Lectures and seminar discussions cover selected areas following from PSY246 (for example, reading, attention, and unconscious processing). Students participate in several research projects to give hands-on experience in cognitive research methodology, and write a research report based on one of the projects. The unit integrates various topics from cognition, cognitive neuropsychology, research methods, statistics and design.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- extension of knowledge of research findings and theories of cognition
- critical evaluation of research problems
- enhancement of skills in critical analysis and problem solving
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Participation | 5% | Weeks 1-5 and 6,7,10,11 |
| Seminar Presentation | 5% | Weeks 6, 7, 10 or 11 |
| Results writeup | 5% | Week 10 |
| Project report | 30% | Week 13 |
| Final Exam | 55% | Final Exam Period |
Participation
Due: Weeks 1-5 and 6,7,10,11
Weighting: 5%
There are 2 components to Participation: Experiment participation and Seminar participation.
Experiment participation (Weeks 1-5). (sign up at http://mq-psy.sona-systems.com/ ). You sign up for class projects in lieu of tutorials in Weeks 1-5, at times that suit you either during or outside the practical times at times listed on Psy.Sona. The data collected form the data you write up for the assignment. Hence during some of the early weeks, there are no face-to-face practical classes for the weeks indicated as "Experiment participation" only.
In the first weeks, you will participate as a subject in the experiments. Use your MQ student email address and check for the registration message, password, etc. on Mq-Psy-Sona If you are NOT already registered on mq-psy.sona, please register on http://mq-psy.sona-systems.com/
Click on ‘New participant?’ and ‘request a new account’ to register on the site. You can then log on and must select only PSY335 experiments. Be careful to sign up for all PSY335 sessions.
Seminar participation (Weeks 6,7,10,and 11). You are expected to attend and contribute to discussions at the seminars presented in tutorials.
Attendance and participation at experiments and seminar is expected and will be monitored. Together they contribute to the 5% participation mark.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- extension of knowledge of research findings and theories of cognition
- critical evaluation of research problems
Seminar Presentation
Due: Weeks 6, 7, 10 or 11
Weighting: 5%
Small groups collaborate and discuss separate aspects of a seminar topic and display a Powerpoint presentation.
The due date is determined by the topic selected by students - Seminar 1: Week 6, Seminar 2: Week 7, Seminar 3: Week 10, Seminar 4: Week 11.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- extension of knowledge of research findings and theories of cognition
- enhancement of skills in critical analysis and problem solving
Results writeup
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 5%
Conduct the statistical analysis of the data for your chosen project topic, and write the Results section according to the APA guidelines.
The Results section write up is to be submitted electronically via the Assignment link in the iLearn unit homepage under Week 10.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- extension of knowledge of research findings and theories of cognition
- critical evaluation of research problems
- enhancement of skills in critical analysis and problem solving
Project report
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%
Writing your report
When you have the data your task is to analyze the results and write up a report of the experiment. This must be done individually.
The report should follow the usual report format – Introduction, Results, Discussion and References - except you need not include the Method section as we will provide it.
The word length is a maximum of 2,000 words. Please note word length on the front of your report. Any stimulus materials, instructions, statistical calculations etc. go in Appendices, and are not included in the word limit. Results should include summary statistics, report F or t values, etc., NOT raw data. You will submit the Results section ahead of the other sections, in Week 10.
Reports are checked for originality by Turnitin.
Monitoring progress in project writeup
- In the project briefing lecture in Week 7, you will be given a brief outline of the conditions of each experiment, the stimulus characteristics, etc along with a list of references. The data will be distributed via the iLearn homepage when the experiment and scoring have been completed.
- There will be practical sessions devoted to the discussion of the projects, where you can ask questions.
- You are required to submit the Results section of your chosen topic in Week 10.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- extension of knowledge of research findings and theories of cognition
- critical evaluation of research problems
- enhancement of skills in critical analysis and problem solving
Final Exam
Due: Final Exam Period
Weighting: 55%
Exam: short essays plus multiple choice questions (2 hours)
If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Special Consideration process, the examination will be scheduled after the conclusion of the official examination period.
The format of a special examination is at each unit convenor's discretion and may differ from the format of the examination scheduled in the normal examination period.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- extension of knowledge of research findings and theories of cognition
- critical evaluation of research problems
- enhancement of skills in critical analysis and problem solving
Delivery and Resources
Classes
Lecture: Thursday, 11-1 W5C320
Tutorials/Practicals: Class participation varies from week to week; check the schedule on the iLearn homepage for details. Unsatisfactory attendance and participation in the course can lead to exclusion from the examinations for PSY335.
| Tutorial class | Day and time | Room | |
| Thursday 2-3:30 | W5B354 | ||
| Thursday 3:30-5 | W5B354 | ||
| Thursday 5-6:30 | W5B354 |
Changes to all units can be made on-line via eStudent. After week 2, no further changes will be entertained unless supporting documentation about the reason is provided and there is space in the tutorial you wish to change into.
Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials
Note that the course does not closely follow the topics of a single text. The following are recommended.
Eysenck, M. and Keane, M. (2010). Cognitive Psychology – was used as a textbook in PSY246
Coltheart, V. (Ed.) Fleeting Memories: Cognition of brief visual stimuli. 1999 is recommended for the visual cognition topics, see Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
More specific references will be given in each lecture.
Teaching and Learning Strategy
You will gain further research experience by participating in experiments and analyzing and interpreting the results and writing a report. Students in this course in the past have found the research component valuable experience and particularly useful for those proceeding to the Honours course.
Lectures and seminars are co-ordinated to allow a good coverage of each topic. Laboratory/seminar sessions will be used discuss the research project work, to provide general discussion of questions raised in lectures and reading, and for seminars on specific topics.
I. PROJECTS
The major part of the coursework is a written report based on cognitive research data. The aim is to give you the opportunity of being actively involved in exploring an area of cognitive processes in some depth. You will act as subjects in a few short experiments signing up at times convenient to you and the research assistant conducting the experiment (sign up times are available both during and outside the practical times). The topic and methods used will be briefly described on a handout with relevant references. Later in the course the data will be provided and you will choose one experiment (or possibly two related ones) to write up as your project report.
II. SEMINARS
The 4 seminar topics and references are listed on iLearn in the weeks they are held. All students will be expected to read the main references before each seminar, and participate in the discussion. Each student will participate in one presentation.
Students access unit information, powerpoints, lecture recordings and other material on iLearn and references to books and articles in the library.
Unit Schedule
Lectures are 2 hrs weekly on Thursdays 11am-1pm with week by week topics listed on i-Learn.
It is strongly recommended that you attend the lectures, rather than rely on lecture recordings alone. If you are enrolled in the iLearn mode, ensure that you keep up to date.
Tutorial/practical classes are 1-1.5 hrs duration and topics are also listed on i-Learn.
The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
Project consultations are one hour long. Practical classes in bold on the iLearn schedule require attendance at class times
Exclusion from the Course: Unsatisfactory attendance and participation in the course can lead to exclusion from the examinations for PSY335.
Seminars
Seminars are an important part of the course and attendance and participation is necessary to pass the course. The seminar material complements topics covered in lectures.
PLANNING OF AND CONDUCT OF SEMINARS
As the seminars start early in the course, you will need to start reading and thinking about your topic as soon as it is assigned in Week 2.
For each session 3-5 students will prepare a group presentation on a specified seminar topic (listed in the iLearn unit homepage) to be chosen in the Week 2 practical. Oral presentation is a course requirement and students prepare and present joint Powerpoint slides.
Everyone will be expected to have read at least the main references and to contribute to the discussions.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
The University Examination period in Session 2, is from November 17 - December 5, 2014.
You are expected to present yourself for examination at the time and place designated in the University Examination Timetable. The timetable will be available in Draft form approximately eight weeks before the commencement of the examinations and in Final form approximately four weeks before the commencement of the examinations.
http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/exam
The only exception to not sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these circumstances you may wish to consider applying for Special Consideration. Information about unavoidable disruption and the special consideration process is available at http://www.psy.mq.edu.au/speccond/scrules.htm
You are advised that it is Macquarie University policy not to set early examinations for individuals or groups of students. All students are expected to ensure that they are available until the end of the teaching semester, which is the final day of the official examination period.
Academic Honesty
Academic honesty is an integral part of the core values and principles contained in the Macquarie University Ethics Statement. The Policy covering Academic Honesty is available on the web at: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Plagiarism is an example of dishonest academic behaviour and is defined by the Policy on Academic honesty as: “Using the work or ideas of another person and presenting this as your own without clear acknowledgement of the source of the work or ideas”.
Plagiarism is a serious breach of the University's rules and carries significant penalties. The Academic honesty Procedure is available at http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/procedure.html
This procedure notes the following responsibilities for students:
- Act in accordance with the principles of the Academic Honesty Policy.
- Become familiar with what academic dishonesty is, what are appropriate referencing techniques and the consequences of poor practice.
- Seek assistance from the unit convenor (or their nominee) to remedy any deficits or if you are unsure of discipline specific practice.
- Submit only work of which you are the author or that properly acknowledges others.
- Do not lend your original work to any other person for any reason.
- Keep drafts of your own authored work and notes showing the authorship or source of ideas that are not your own.
The penalties which can be applied for academic dishonesty are outlined in the Academic Dishonesty – Schedule of Penalties which can be found at: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/schedule_penalties.html
The penalties range from applying a fail grade for the assessment task or requiring the student to re-submit the assessment task for a mark no greater than 50 to applying a fail grade to the unit of study and referral to the University Discipline committee.
You must read the University's Policy and Procedure on Academic Honesty.
University Policy on Grading
Academic Senate has a set of guidelines for the achievement of grades across the range from fail to high distinction. Your final result will include one of these grades plus a standardised numerical grade (SNG).
On occasion your raw mark for a unit (i.e., the total of your marks for each assessment item) may not be the same as the SNG which you receive.
For more information please refer to the Macquarie University Handbook.
APPEALS AGAINST GRADES
Please refer to the Grade Appeal Policy.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
On matters pertaining to the regulations, the Registrar’s Office should be consulted or, within the Department of Psychology, Dr Julia Irwin, Director of Undergraduate Studies. Students with disabilities who have problems within the Department should consult Dr Eugene Chekaluk, the Disability Liaison Officer. If your difficulties cannot be resolved by these members of staff you should consult the Head of Department.
If you have a major difficulty associated with learning skills, you could enrol in a short course. For details go to: http://www.students.mq.edu.au/support/learning_skills/undergraduate/workshops_for_undergraduate_students/
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- critical evaluation of research problems
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Results writeup
- Project report
- Final Exam
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- extension of knowledge of research findings and theories of cognition
- critical evaluation of research problems
- enhancement of skills in critical analysis and problem solving
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Seminar Presentation
- Results writeup
- Project report
- Final Exam
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- critical evaluation of research problems
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Seminar Presentation
- Results writeup
- Project report
- Final Exam
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- critical evaluation of research problems
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Results writeup
- Project report
- Final Exam
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- critical evaluation of research problems
Assessment tasks
- Seminar Presentation
- Project report
- Final Exam