Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Ben Searle
Contact via ben.searle@mq.edu.au
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(39cp at 100 level or above) including (PSY104(P) or PSYC104) and (PSY105(P) or PSYC105)
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
Runs alongside External version of PSY338.
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit introduces students to psychological perspectives of the world of work, including both individual and organisational aspects. We cover such topics such as personnel selection, job attitudes, stress, personality, and human factors at work. Students discover some of the ways organisational psychologists have used the science of psychology to learn more about the human condition and to assist in the effective management of businesses. This unit provides a valuable background for the application of scientific principles and findings to workplace policies and practices that involve people. Through tutorial exercises and discussions, the unit ensures that students gain an appreciation of job analysis; recruitment and selection techniques; occupational stress management; and other psychological issues in the workplace.
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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:
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Weekly online quiz | 6% | No | Weekly |
Survey recruitment exercise | 4% | No | TBA |
Scientific Report Introduction | 30% | No | TBA |
Research Summary | 30% | No | TBA |
Final examination | 30% | No | Examination period |
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 6%
Type: Participation
Description: The weekly quizzes are designed to promote regular consumption of lecture video content and other materials, and to provide you with feedback about your understanding of those materials.
Requirements: Students can access quizzes via the unit iLearn website. Each quiz will be available for a limited time. It is the responsibility of students to keep track of whether or not they have completed each quiz.
Standards: Students must attain a Pass grade (50%) or better to be awarded marks for participation in the quiz. Quizzes can be taken repeatedly until the desired grade is achieved.
Due: TBA
Weighting: 4%
Type: Participation
Description: This exercise is designed give you experience in using surveys to advance psychology knowledge in a way that also has practical workplace applications. Your task is to invite four working adults to participate in an online survey on a topic relevant to organisational psychology, and to enter their contact emails into an online form. More information about the task and methods will be provided early in semester.
Requirements: Students can receive participation marks if enough of the people you recruited commence the survey. If these people subsequently fail to complete the survey you will not be penalised. If you notify us in advance that you are unable to recruit participants, another research participation exercise can be found.
Standards: Students must recruit participants using the specified methods / requirements.
Due: TBA
Weighting: 30%
Type: Graded
Description: This exercise is designed to develop greater understanding of organisational psychology theory and research, as well as to develop skills in communication, critical analysis, and capability for evidence-based argument. Students write up to 800 words about the survey study being conducted as part of this unit, following the style and structure of the introduction section to a scientific report.
Requirements: Students need to read articles published in reputable journals in order to better understand and explain conceptual issues related to the survey project. Specific requirements will be described in an assessment guide available early in semester. Electronic copies must be submitted via the unit website.
Standards: Assessment standards by which reports are evaluated will be described in an assessment guide available early in semester.
Due: TBA
Weighting: 30%
Type: Graded
Description: This exercise is designed to develop greater understanding of applications of organisational psychology, as well as to develop skills in communication of organisational psychology research to a non-scientific audience. Students will write a short report about findings from the survey study being conducted as part of this unit, focusing on their relevance to business. The writing style must be that of a business news article.
Requirements: Students will need to read articles published in reputable journals in order to better understand and explain conceptual issues related to the survey project. In addition, students will need to read business news articles (examples will be provided) to get a sense of how to present their report. More details and specific requirements will be described in an assessment guide. Electronic copies must be submitted via the unit website.
Standards: Assessment standards by which reports are evaluated will be described in an assessment guide available early in semester.
Due: Examination period
Weighting: 30%
Type: Graded
Description: A formal examination will be held during the university examination period at a time and date to be decided by the university. A formally invigilated examination allows assessment of student attainment of the unit’s learning objectives in an environment with minimal opportunity for academic misconduct. Questions will be designed to assess recall and comprehension of unit content, as well as application of conceptual factors to specific situations.
Requirements: All topics covered in lectures and tutorials are examinable.
Online lecture videos
Lecture content will be delivered via online videos – there are no on-campus lectures for this unit. Due to the use of online videos in this unit, students must either have reliable access to computing equipment and internet, or else must access these facilities on campus. Approximately 2 hours of videos per week will be provided via the iLearn website for each of the 13 teaching weeks. Individual videos will vary in duration, with most running between 25-40 minutes. An assessable weekly quiz is used to encourage students to keep up to date with watching the videos.
Online expert interviews
In addition to the lecture videos, you have access to a range of interviews with respected experts in this field. Interviews with organisational psychology researchers and practitioners provide you with key insights into the "what, why and how" of key areas, beyond what you will see in any textbook.
Tutorials
Internal students are expected to attend all weekly tutorials. Tutorial times are listed on the university timetable: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
Managing Classes: Changes to all units can be done on-line via eStudent before the start of semester and for a brief period after semester begins.
Reading
The textbook set for this unit is currently:
Landy, F. J, & Conte, J. M. (2013). Work in the 21st Century: An Introduction to Industrial and Organizational Psychology (4th Edition). McGraw Hill.
In addition to reading appropriate sections from the textbook, students are encouraged to read articles published in journals in the field of organisational psychology to provide the information required for the major assignment, as well as furthering their understanding of this field. High quality journals include the Journal of Applied Psychology and the Academy of Management Journal. This will be important for many of the assessment activities, particularly the literature review.
Online resources
The iLearn site will include links to other online resources you can explore to learn more about each topic.
Unit outline will list weekly lecture and tutorial topics. Tutorials start in week 2.
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_2016.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
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.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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.
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