Students

PSYP8910 – Research Theory and Practice for Professional Psychologists

2026 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-intensive, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Trisha Nowland
Julie Boulis
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MProfPsych
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

In this unit, you will gain an understanding of the theory and practice of psychology research most relevant for practice. Topics covered include research design and statistical analysis relevant to quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods research; critical evaluation of research output; conduct of literature searches and reviews; presentation and dissemination of research findings; ethical considerations in research practice; and applying for evaluation funding. Through a mixture of workshops, group, and independent activities and assignments, you will be provided with tools to design, conduct and report findings from applied research and to critically review relevant published research.

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:

  • ULO1: Review and analyse approaches to research-practice integration as these apply to professional psychology practice. (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar)
  • ULO2: Evaluate research approaches relevant to evidence-based practice, recognise the limits and/or utility in developing practice-based evidence for the purpose of intervention or treatment design. (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar)
  • ULO3: Integrate and synthesise learnings about evidence-based research design to create and evaluate key research designs and questions, including preparation of research findings for presentation to different audiences and/or publication. (Capability 2: Psychologist Practitioner)
  • ULO4: Analyse and apply the ethical and pragmatic considerations to test hypotheses in the conduct of professional psychology practice research across the lifespan and with diverse groups. (Capability 3: Engaged Global Citizen)
  • ULO5: Identify and interpret the cultural and ethical issues that arise when engaging in the critical evaluation, conduct and reporting of professional psychology practice research. (Capability 4: Professional)

General Assessment Information

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 and 129).

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.

In the Master of Professional Psychology, letter grades, not numeric marks, are released for assessment tasks in most units, including this unit.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

Late Submissions

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day an 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

 

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Systematic (Scoping) Literature Review 50% No 23/08/2026 Individual Yes Open
Group and individual presentation 40% No 28/08/2026 Individual No Observed
Reflective recording 10% No 06/09/2026 Individual No Open

Systematic (Scoping) Literature Review

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 52 hours
Due: 23/08/2026
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

You will complete an abbreviated literature review on a provided topic that will inform your group presentation.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Review and analyse approaches to research-practice integration as these apply to professional psychology practice. (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar)
  • Evaluate research approaches relevant to evidence-based practice, recognise the limits and/or utility in developing practice-based evidence for the purpose of intervention or treatment design. (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar)
  • Integrate and synthesise learnings about evidence-based research design to create and evaluate key research designs and questions, including preparation of research findings for presentation to different audiences and/or publication. (Capability 2: Psychologist Practitioner)
  • Analyse and apply the ethical and pragmatic considerations to test hypotheses in the conduct of professional psychology practice research across the lifespan and with diverse groups. (Capability 3: Engaged Global Citizen)
  • Identify and interpret the cultural and ethical issues that arise when engaging in the critical evaluation, conduct and reporting of professional psychology practice research. (Capability 4: Professional)

Group and individual presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 32 hours
Due: 28/08/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

You will complete a group presentation that is informed by the systematic literature completed in the first assignment. Your task will be to design a research project for an intervention to assist the group identified in your systematic literature review. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Review and analyse approaches to research-practice integration as these apply to professional psychology practice. (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar)
  • Evaluate research approaches relevant to evidence-based practice, recognise the limits and/or utility in developing practice-based evidence for the purpose of intervention or treatment design. (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar)
  • Integrate and synthesise learnings about evidence-based research design to create and evaluate key research designs and questions, including preparation of research findings for presentation to different audiences and/or publication. (Capability 2: Psychologist Practitioner)
  • Analyse and apply the ethical and pragmatic considerations to test hypotheses in the conduct of professional psychology practice research across the lifespan and with diverse groups. (Capability 3: Engaged Global Citizen)
  • Identify and interpret the cultural and ethical issues that arise when engaging in the critical evaluation, conduct and reporting of professional psychology practice research. (Capability 4: Professional)

Reflective recording

Assessment Type 1: Reflection task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 06/09/2026
Weighting: 10%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

You will record a verbal reflection with two components. Part A is a reflection on what it was like to complete the collaborative group presentation work, part B is a reflection on how the student would address providing information to a potential client about the content of the evidence base in their literature review.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Review and analyse approaches to research-practice integration as these apply to professional psychology practice. (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar)
  • Integrate and synthesise learnings about evidence-based research design to create and evaluate key research designs and questions, including preparation of research findings for presentation to different audiences and/or publication. (Capability 2: Psychologist Practitioner)
  • Identify and interpret the cultural and ethical issues that arise when engaging in the critical evaluation, conduct and reporting of professional psychology practice research. (Capability 4: Professional)

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • Academic Success for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of online and face-to-face learning activities, including readings, online modules, videos, and lectures. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

Recommended Readings

Nil

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.

Unit Schedule

Dates

Workshops

Times

29/07/26 

Research Methods 1 - Scoping reviews

9am-4pm 

05/08/26

Research Methods 2 - Methods and program logics

9am-4pm

12/08/26

Research Methods 3 - Analyses and presentation

9am-4pm

14/08/26

Group presentations preparation (not required on campus)

9am-4pm

28/08/26

Group presentations

9am-4pm

 

Policies and Procedures

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.

Student Code of Conduct

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

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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

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.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success 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. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

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.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS

Macquarie University recognises that artificial intelligence (AI), especially generative AI, is rapidly reshaping education and the modern workplace. As AI becomes increasingly accessible, the University and your teaching staff are committed to preparing you to use these tools effectively, ethically, and with strong professional judgment. Rather than restricting technology, the emphasis is on helping you understand when and how AI can be used to enhance productivity, support learning, and reflect real-world professional practice. Across your degree, we will support you to develop the critical thinking, adaptability, and values-based decision-making skills required to navigate evolving AI tools responsibly, including acknowledging their use appropriately.  You should always appropriately acknowledge when you have used AI tools within assessment tasks, including which AI tools you have used and how you have used them.

To provide clarity, Macquarie University uses a simple, two-tiered approach to AI in assessment:

 AI Open assessments allow you to fully incorporate AI, reflecting authentic tasks where AI would normally be used in professional settings.

Observed with AI Optional assessments involve tasks where you either demonstrate essential knowledge without technology or show how you apply AI under supervision.

Across both categories, the goal is to ensure you build foundational knowledge, exercise sound judgment, and engage with AI in ways that uphold ethical, cultural, and university values.

INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY

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.


Unit information based on version 2026.02 of the Handbook