Students

PSYC499 – The Scientist Practitioner Model

2018 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Natasha Todorov
Carolyn Schniering
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
PSY490 or PSY495
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit will critically examine how practitioners apply advanced psychological knowledge that incorporates an evidence-based, ethical approach across a variety of applied psychology disciplines. The unit will comprise three themes facilitating the application of this knowledge across both research and practice: 1) Principles of evidence-based practice, including knowledge of relevant legislative frameworks; 2) Applied principles of assessment and psychometrics, and 3) Intentional interviewing and counselling across applied psychology disciplines, taking social and cultural contexts into account. Role-plays, live demonstrations, case examples, and a viva examination will be employed to teach interviewing and assessment skills.

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:

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and extensive knowledge of the Scientist-Practitioner Model and articulate the importance of evidence-based learning in the context of a range of contemporary issues in applied psychology.
  • Explain the psychometric principles, implementation and interpretation of common psychological assessment instruments .
  • Use appropriate oral and written skills to convey principles of evidence-based practice and research significance.
  • Describe and discuss the ethical standards and legislative frameworks governing research and practice in psychology, and exhibit an awareness of the importance of ethics in maintaining the integrity of the profession.
  • Demonstrate competence in interviewing and counselling skills across a range of applied psychological disciplines, taking into account social and cultural contexts.

General Assessment Information

Attendance at tutorials is compulsory in order to achieve a Pass grade or higher in this unit. Tutorial participation is essential to the learning outcomes of this unit. Live demonstrations and role-modelling will be used to teach the practical application of the counselling skills covered in this unit. You can only attend the tutorial you are enrolled in and you will not be allowed to attend any other tutorial due to Occupational Health and Safety Policy Laws. Students are expected to be present for the entirety of the tutorial session. The material covered in tutorials will not be posted on iLearn nor given to students in any form. Thus it is the student’s responsibility to attend tutorials and to take notes on the material covered.

If students miss a tutorial, it is University Policy that students MUST make a Request for Special Consideration through https://ask.mq.edu.au/ with appropriate documentation (e.g., medical certificates etc). To be eligible for Special Consideration, a student must notify the University of a serious and unavoidable disruption no later than five (5) working days of the due date (see University Policy https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/disruption-to-studies ).

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Essay 20% No Week 7
Viva 35% No To be advised
Exam 45% No week 13

Essay

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 20%

Essay based on material covered in counselling psychology classes.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and extensive knowledge of the Scientist-Practitioner Model and articulate the importance of evidence-based learning in the context of a range of contemporary issues in applied psychology.
  • Use appropriate oral and written skills to convey principles of evidence-based practice and research significance.

Viva

Due: To be advised
Weighting: 35%

Viva demonstrating interviewing and counselling skills. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate competence in interviewing and counselling skills across a range of applied psychological disciplines, taking into account social and cultural contexts.

Exam

Due: week 13
Weighting: 45%

Multiple choice and short answer exam based on classes in weeks 3-12.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and extensive knowledge of the Scientist-Practitioner Model and articulate the importance of evidence-based learning in the context of a range of contemporary issues in applied psychology.
  • Explain the psychometric principles, implementation and interpretation of common psychological assessment instruments .
  • Use appropriate oral and written skills to convey principles of evidence-based practice and research significance.
  • Describe and discuss the ethical standards and legislative frameworks governing research and practice in psychology, and exhibit an awareness of the importance of ethics in maintaining the integrity of the profession.

Delivery and Resources

The unit will be taught using lectures, tutorials and readings. 

Unit Schedule

Week 1. Counselling

Week 2. Counselling

Week 3. Introduction to Psychological Assessment

Week 4. Educational Assessment

Week 5. Health Psychology

Week 6. Organisational Psychology

Week 7. Neuropsychological Assessment

Week 8. Assessing Personality

Week 9. Clinical Psychology

Week 10. Ethics

Week 11. Ethics

Week 12. Ethics

Week 13. Exam

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

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.

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://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and extensive knowledge of the Scientist-Practitioner Model and articulate the importance of evidence-based learning in the context of a range of contemporary issues in applied psychology.
  • Explain the psychometric principles, implementation and interpretation of common psychological assessment instruments .

Assessment task

  • Essay

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and extensive knowledge of the Scientist-Practitioner Model and articulate the importance of evidence-based learning in the context of a range of contemporary issues in applied psychology.
  • Explain the psychometric principles, implementation and interpretation of common psychological assessment instruments .
  • Use appropriate oral and written skills to convey principles of evidence-based practice and research significance.
  • Describe and discuss the ethical standards and legislative frameworks governing research and practice in psychology, and exhibit an awareness of the importance of ethics in maintaining the integrity of the profession.
  • Demonstrate competence in interviewing and counselling skills across a range of applied psychological disciplines, taking into account social and cultural contexts.

Assessment tasks

  • Essay
  • Viva
  • Exam

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 outcomes

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and extensive knowledge of the Scientist-Practitioner Model and articulate the importance of evidence-based learning in the context of a range of contemporary issues in applied psychology.
  • Explain the psychometric principles, implementation and interpretation of common psychological assessment instruments .
  • Use appropriate oral and written skills to convey principles of evidence-based practice and research significance.
  • Describe and discuss the ethical standards and legislative frameworks governing research and practice in psychology, and exhibit an awareness of the importance of ethics in maintaining the integrity of the profession.
  • Demonstrate competence in interviewing and counselling skills across a range of applied psychological disciplines, taking into account social and cultural contexts.

Assessment tasks

  • Essay
  • Viva
  • 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

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and extensive knowledge of the Scientist-Practitioner Model and articulate the importance of evidence-based learning in the context of a range of contemporary issues in applied psychology.
  • Explain the psychometric principles, implementation and interpretation of common psychological assessment instruments .
  • Use appropriate oral and written skills to convey principles of evidence-based practice and research significance.
  • Describe and discuss the ethical standards and legislative frameworks governing research and practice in psychology, and exhibit an awareness of the importance of ethics in maintaining the integrity of the profession.
  • Demonstrate competence in interviewing and counselling skills across a range of applied psychological disciplines, taking into account social and cultural contexts.

Assessment tasks

  • Essay
  • Viva
  • 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 outcomes

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and extensive knowledge of the Scientist-Practitioner Model and articulate the importance of evidence-based learning in the context of a range of contemporary issues in applied psychology.
  • Explain the psychometric principles, implementation and interpretation of common psychological assessment instruments .
  • Use appropriate oral and written skills to convey principles of evidence-based practice and research significance.
  • Describe and discuss the ethical standards and legislative frameworks governing research and practice in psychology, and exhibit an awareness of the importance of ethics in maintaining the integrity of the profession.
  • Demonstrate competence in interviewing and counselling skills across a range of applied psychological disciplines, taking into account social and cultural contexts.

Assessment tasks

  • Essay
  • Viva
  • 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 outcomes

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and extensive knowledge of the Scientist-Practitioner Model and articulate the importance of evidence-based learning in the context of a range of contemporary issues in applied psychology.
  • Explain the psychometric principles, implementation and interpretation of common psychological assessment instruments .
  • Use appropriate oral and written skills to convey principles of evidence-based practice and research significance.
  • Describe and discuss the ethical standards and legislative frameworks governing research and practice in psychology, and exhibit an awareness of the importance of ethics in maintaining the integrity of the profession.

Assessment tasks

  • Essay
  • 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 outcomes

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and extensive knowledge of the Scientist-Practitioner Model and articulate the importance of evidence-based learning in the context of a range of contemporary issues in applied psychology.
  • Explain the psychometric principles, implementation and interpretation of common psychological assessment instruments .
  • Use appropriate oral and written skills to convey principles of evidence-based practice and research significance.
  • Demonstrate competence in interviewing and counselling skills across a range of applied psychological disciplines, taking into account social and cultural contexts.

Assessment tasks

  • Essay
  • Viva
  • Exam

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and extensive knowledge of the Scientist-Practitioner Model and articulate the importance of evidence-based learning in the context of a range of contemporary issues in applied psychology.
  • Explain the psychometric principles, implementation and interpretation of common psychological assessment instruments .
  • Use appropriate oral and written skills to convey principles of evidence-based practice and research significance.
  • Describe and discuss the ethical standards and legislative frameworks governing research and practice in psychology, and exhibit an awareness of the importance of ethics in maintaining the integrity of the profession.
  • Demonstrate competence in interviewing and counselling skills across a range of applied psychological disciplines, taking into account social and cultural contexts.

Assessment tasks

  • Viva
  • Exam

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and extensive knowledge of the Scientist-Practitioner Model and articulate the importance of evidence-based learning in the context of a range of contemporary issues in applied psychology.