Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Mike Jones
|
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MClinPsych or MClinNeuro or MOrgPsych
|
Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
Unit description |
Unit description
This unit exposes students to a range of research methodologies that are useful in research in psychology. The intent of the unit is to explain underlying concepts rather than teach deeper technical detail. Students completing the unit should have an appreciation of when a variety of methods are appropriate, be able to undertake simple analyses, understand how to interpret the results of these analyses and how to assess publications that have used these methods. Content includes a refresher on statistical study design, critical appraisal of published research, common data analysis methods and a number of methods for longitudinal and complex-sampled data, latent variable models as well as meta-analysis and an introduction to qualitative research. |
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.
All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.
Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128).
To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.
Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.
For example:
Number of days (hours) late |
Total Possible Marks |
Deduction |
Raw mark |
Final mark |
1 day (1-24 hours) |
100 |
5 |
75 |
70 |
2 days (24-48 hours) |
100 |
10 |
75 |
65 |
3 days (48-72 hours) |
100 |
15 |
75 |
60 |
7 days (144-168 hours) |
100 |
35 |
75 |
40 |
>7 days (>168 hours) |
100 |
- |
75 |
0 |
Late submission of time sensitive tasks, such as timetabled tests/exams, scheduled performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs, will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application.
If you are unable to complete an assessment task on or by the specified date due circumstances that are unexpected, unavoidable, significantly disruptive and beyond your control, you may apply for special consideration in accordance with the special consideration policy. Applications for special consideration must be supported by appropriate evidence and submitted via ask.mq.edu.au.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Topic Quizzes | 15% | No | 11:55pm Friday of weeks 4-6 (inclusive) |
Practical Project | 50% | No | 11:55pm, 12 May 2023 |
Final Examination | 35% | No | 31 May 2023 |
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 14 hours
Due: 11:55pm Friday of weeks 4-6 (inclusive)
Weighting: 15%
3 Compulsory quizzes of 5 questions each delivered via iLearn. The quiz will be comprised of multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank and short answer questions. Each quiz will be available for seven days but once commenced must be completed within 3 hours.
Assessment Type 1: Quantitative analysis task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: 11:55pm, 12 May 2023
Weighting: 50%
Each student selects an elective topic and writes a short scientific report.
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 34 hours
Due: 31 May 2023
Weighting: 35%
Invigilated two-hour multiple choice exam of 30 questions in open book format. Twenty questions are compulsory and a further 10 are student selected.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of online and face-to-face learning activities, including readings, online video lectures and face-to-face workshops. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit. Recommended Readings Each module of the unit has recommended and/or required readings which are listed at the beginning of each vide lecture. Technology Used Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. Students who do not own their own laptop computer may borrow one from the university library. Use of statistical software is required and while any program can be used, the university provides a free license for the statistical program Stata. Structure of the unit Every student will study four (4) learning modules in this unit of which three are compulsory topics and one is selected by the student from three (3) available elective modules. Compulsory modules are selected on the basis of being useful topics for any quantitative research topic, while the student-selected modules allow students to somewhat tailor the unit to their individual needs. Compulsory modules (all must be undertaken)
Student-selected modules (select one)
Format of the unit The unit is largely delivered by downloadable video lectures that combine a classical lecture with demonstration of practical application using Stata and are available for download at the start of or early in semester. All compulsory topics do, however, have one-hour face-to-face review sessions at which attendance is strongly recommended but not compulsory. All elective modules have an associated in-person workshop at which attendance is strongly recommended but also not compulsory. The purpose of the workshops is to provide an opportunity to address unresolved questions. Important note: To achieve this it will be necessary for each student to have viewed the elective topic module video and to have thought about their project prior to attending the workshop. The unit is graded using the standard categories of Fail, Pass, Credit, Distinction and High Distinction. Further details concerning the exam will be provided during the unit. The project report and take home exam will be submitted to the Grademark system that is part of iLearn. You may collaborate in preparatory work for assignments; however, the report submitted must be of your own work. NB: Make sure you keep a complete copy of each of your submitted works should it be needed. This unit does not publish previous end-of-semester exam papers due to the assessment format which involves multiple choice questions drawn from a bank of questions which have undergone a process of development and validation to assess a wide range of concepts in this unit. Assessment quality can only be ensured by maintaining the integrity of the question bank rather than creating entirely new questions every year. However a practice exam will be provided via iLearn near the end of semester. Unfortunately due to staffing constraints this year, the qualitative topic will not be available. |
Week | Workshop date | Workshop content | Assessment |
1 | 22-Feb | Admin & unit overview | |
2 | 1-Mar | No class | |
3 | 8-Mar | No class | |
4 | 15-Mar | No class | Quiz 1 due |
5 | 22-Mar | Quiz 1 review & Elective topic workshops | Quiz 2 due |
6 | 29-Mar | Quiz 2 review & Elective topic workshops | Quiz 3 due |
7 | 5-Apr | Quiz 3 review | |
12 & 19 Apr | Mid-session break | ||
8 | 26-Apr | Project advising | |
9 | 3-May | No class | |
10 | 10-May | No class | Project report due |
11 | 17-May | Exam preparation session | |
12 | 24-May | No class | |
13 | 31-May | Final exam (in-class) | Final exam |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
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.
Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.
In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses.
As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session.
Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.
Unit information based on version 2023.02 of the Handbook