As this is an internal unit, attendance of tutorials is expected. Tutorials are compulsory for all students and students must pass this component to pass the unit. A pass requires 80% attendance of compulsory tutorials. Students must attend for the whole session or seek tutor consent to leave early or they will be regarded as being absent. If you have a legitimate reason for leaving early, you must seek approval from the tutor on each occasion. 

A roll will be distributed in each tutorial session. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that they sign-on for each tutorial attended. Tutors cannot keep track of individual student attendance. Failure to sign the roll will be considered an absence from that tutorial. 

Students may earn up to a total of 5% through participation in nominated online or in-class unit related activities  (e.g., presentations in class, completing online questionnaires that will be used as the basis for tutorial discussion). Students only need to accumulate 5 participation points over the course of the semester to earn the full 5%. However, additional participation may be taken into account where requests for special consideration are made or when students are on final grade borderlines. Planned participation activities are detailed below but additional activities may be announced throughout the semester. 

Activity

Date Due

Participation Points

*Online Registration for Psychic Personality Reading Experiment

9pm 8/8/14

1

*Online Rating of Personality Profile Psychic Personality Reading Experiment 

5pm 9/8/14

1

Beginning of Unit Online completion of AGS Questionnaire 

15/8/14

1

*Participation in in-class eyewitness memory experiment

Week 3

1

Participation in Preparation for Bad Research Plan

Week 8

1

Participation in Presentation of Bad Research Plan

Week 9

1

Bonus point for Best Bad Research Plan

Week 9

1

End of Unit Online completion of  of AGS Questionnaire 

7/11/14

1

Spokesperson reporting back on small group discussion (preference to students who have not previously presented)

Tutorials - Multiple opportunities

1+

Note: *Task may be linked to research data collection. Students may decline to have data included for research purposes but participation will still count. 

A total of 9 Topic Quizzes will be conducted and each will be of 5 minutes duration and will typically consist of 5 multiple choice questions. These quizzes will assess knowledge and understanding of required reading for the relevant tutorial (typically 3-4 questions) as well as key concepts from the preceding topic (typically 1-2 questions). For example, the quiz conducted in the second week of the semester will cover the reading for Topic 2 and the content of Topic 1. Please note that the required readings for the first quiz include the Unit Guide. Dates for quizzes and required readings are available in the Unit Schedule section of this guide.

The best 7 scores in these quizzes will count toward the final mark for this component of the assessment. Students may elect not to complete all of the Topic Quizzes but will be disadvantaged if they complete less than 7. The facility to disregard quiz scores is designed to allow for missed quizzes due to events such as lateness, illness, political or industrial action, religious or public holidays, PACE unit requirement, cancelled classes and other disruptions. Remember that the University regulations require 80% attendance or better to pass the unit.

There will be no provision for repeats of the Topic Quizzes under any circumstances as only 7 quizzes need to be completed and 80% attendance is required. In cases where acceptable unavoidable disruption to study is documented for more than 2 missed quizzes, students may submit a request for special consideration via https://www.ask.mq.edu.au 

Topic Quizzes will be conducted in the first 5 minutes of the session. Students arriving late may elect to attempt the quiz in the remaining time but no additional time will be allocated. Students may not complete the Topic Quiz and then leave a session. Sessions must be attended in whole or the quiz result will be discarded.

Full instructions will be issued at the beginning of each tutorial and any breach of these instructions may result in the score being discarded. The use of references or notes is not allowed during the Topic Quizzes and they must be completed individually. Students may only write on the answer card. Any collaboration or other misconduct will be automatically referred to the University for disciplinary action. 

Feedback

The results of Topic Quizzes for students will be posted on the unit web site as soon as possible following the tutorial session.

Answers to Topic Quizzes will be provided by the tutor in the week following the relevant quiz. Students may not take notes during this feedback but quizzes may be reviewed at any point during the semester by arrangement with your tutor or by emailing sped102@mq.edu.au

A web site will be nominated on the iLearn site at the beginning of Week 4. Details of the assignment and the form on which the assignment MUST be submitted will be provided in the Assessment section of the web site. A link for assignment submission will be provided in the Assessment section  of the web site.

You will be required to examine and analyse the web site for (1) characteristics of science or pseudoscience. Specifically you should:

1. Provide an introduction to the assignment.

2. Identify and discuss any features or claims made on the nominated site that are (1) consistent with the characteristics of a scientific approach or (2) red flags or qualities that may indicate pseudoscience. With regard to each feature or claim, you must provide a URL (e.g., http://www.musec.mq.edu.au/home/) and clearly explain the reasoning for your judgement that the feature or claim is consistent with the characteristics of science or pseudoscience. You may cite references used from the unit or other sources.

3. Provide a conclusion including a summative statement of your evaluation of the web site.

4. Provide a reference list for any references cited using APA style. A style guide is provided in the Assessment section of the web site. 

What is the Word Limit?

The word limit for the assignment is 800 words (excluding references). Markers will not read beyond the stated limit. 

What About a Cover Sheet

The provided form for completion of the assignment includes the cover sheet. Note that the checklist on the assignment cover sheet must be completed or your assignment will not be marked. Note that typing your student number on the cover sheet is considered equivalent to providing a signature.

Can  I Get an Extension?

Extensions may be granted In extenuating circumstances where documented unavoidable disruption to study occurs (see the University Disruption to Studies Policy). Reasons for the extension need to be documented through the special consideration form accessible through http://ask.mq.edu.au and supported (e.g., a doctor’s certificate in the case of illness).

Extensions should be submitted before the due date. Extensions are usually not granted on the due date. Post-due date applications for extensions will not be considered under any circumstances except when the student can provide evidence that it was impossible to complete a special consideration form before the due date.

Note that:

• You should read the additional information regarding special consideration in the General Assessment Information section of this unit guide.

• Extension will only be considered on receipt of the completed form submitted through http://ask.mq.edu.au, plus relevant documentation. Extension requests via any other means (e.g., email) will NOT be accepted. 

• It is essential that you plan ahead and organise your study time effectively. Poor time management is not grounds for an extension

Can I Submit a Late Assignment?

Assignments received after the due date will be accepted provided they are received no later than 5 calendar days late. No assignment will be accepted after this time, except when an extension has been applied for before the due date and granted. After the due date (unless an extension has been granted) a late penalty will be applied, leading to a reduction in the awarded mark. The late penalty is 5% of the total mark for each calendar day the assignment is outstanding beyond the due date. These penalties are imposed in fairness to students who submit assignments on time.

How do I Know My Assignment Submission was Successful? 

Given the size of the unit, staff will NOT respond to requests to confirm that assignments have been correctly submitted. There are two options for you to view your uploaded assignment and print proof of submission:

1. Return to the Assignment activity submission point where the uploaded file will be viewable.

2. In the Activities block for the unit, click on the Assignments link. All Assignment activities, including those that are ‘already open’ and ‘closed’, will be viewable here.

You should print a copy of one of these screens after submission. No claims regarding missing assignments will be considered under any circumstances without a copy of this printout.

Always keep a copy of your assignment. 

How will I get feedback on my assignment?

Your marked assessment task, along with feedback information, will be returned electronically in the location that it was submitted. 

Can I Resubmit an Assignment?

Students are required to gain an overall pass on the unit, but do not have to pass all assessment components. If you perform poorly on one component, you may compensate for this with an improved performance in the other components. Resubmission of assessments is not permitted.

What are the Marking Criteria?

In general, markers will be looking for the following qualities in your responses to the scenarios:

• Comprehensive address of the critical features of the web site.

• Appropriate justification, critical analysis and integration of relevant information from the unit.

• Integration of information from relevant content in the unit.

• Clear structure, expression, appropriate word choice, use of appropriate academic writing style and correct referencing. 

You are encouraged to evaluate your work against these criteria. 

 How do I interpret the Performance Descriptors for the Assignment?

High Distinction: There is pervasive address of the key points with corresponding justification, critical analysis and integration of relevant information. There is no evidence of consequential gaps in understanding of basic principles and a clear ability to apply concepts and principles is evident. Expression is exceptional.

Distinction: There is extensive address of the key points with corresponding justification, critical analysis and integration of relevant information. There is no evidence of consequential gaps in understanding of basic principles although students may have minor difficulty in applying some concepts and principles 

Credit: There is strong address of the key points with corresponding justification, critical analysis and integration of relevant information. There may be very minor consequential gaps in understanding of basic principles and ability to apply concepts and principles. Expression is very good.

Pass: There is sound address of the key points with corresponding justification, critical analysis and integration of relevant information. There may be some limited consequential gaps in understanding of basic principles and ability to apply concepts and principles. Expression is sound and adequate to effectively convey meaning.

Fail: There is poor  address of the key points with corresponding justification, critical analysis and integration of relevant information. There are major consequential gaps in understanding of basic principles and ability to apply concepts and principles. Expression may interfere to a significant extent with conveying meaning.

A two-hour examination will be held during the university examination period. It will be comprised typically of questions that require short answers. For the final examination all lecture, tutorial material and readings are examinable.

A sample examination paper will be provided at the end of the unit.