Units
Research and Professional Development Seminar
Unit code: PYB407
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit develops and extends students' understanding of research and practice issues in psychology. It covers current debates and controversies within psychology. Students are encouraged to formulate critical responses to these topics. Attention is also given to the issue of ethics in psychological research and practice. A case-based approach to the study of ethics is used, with reference to the APS Code of Ethics as well as Codes from similar international organisations. Where possible guest speakers, including researchers and practising psychologists, will be invited to participate in seminars to develop and expand students' understanding of broader issues in psychological research and practice.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
This unit is intended to develop and extend your understanding of research and practice issues in psychology using current controversies and debates to focus your learning. In an effort to reflect the requirements facing scientist practitioners of psychology, you will be encouraged to formulate critical responses to current controversies in psychology and to base your response on relevant theories, contemporary research, and consideration of associated ethical issues. This unit will also utilise a problem solving approach to resolving ethical issues in psychological research and practice. Specifically, you will be asked to formulate responses to a range of ethical dilemmas that may confront psychologists in research and practice, and by so doing, you will gain familiarity with key professional resources such as the Code of Ethics of the Australian Psychological Society. This approach to the study of ethics in psychology should provide you with a framework for resolving future professional ethical dilemmas.
Aims
This unit aims to prepare you for the workplace and for further study through consideration of a range of issues relating to the practice of psychology and psychological research.
Objectives
On successful completion of this unit you should:
- Have an understanding of professional ethics;
- Have an understanding of a range of debates within psychology;
- Have an awareness of the scope of psychological practice and research;
- Be familiar with Codes of Ethics in psychology, including that of the Australian Psychological Society.
Content
This unit covers the following: professional ethics in psychological research and practice, current controversies in psychology, and perspectives on contemporary research in psychology. This unit will provide an opportunity for skill development in the following areas: group work, communication, problem-solving, independent learning, and professional ethics.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
This unit is conducted as a series of seminars. You will have the opportunity to present some seminars, and where possible, guest speakers including ethicists, research psychologists, and psychologists in private practice will be invited to speak to you. Seminar activities will also be formulated to enable you to undertake problem-solving activities in small groups. These seminars provide you with an important opportunity to gain an idea of how your skills can be applied in different fields. These seminars will also highlight some of the ethical considerations you may be faced with in your future work environment and provide you with a framework to asses such considerations.
Assessment
Continuous assessment is employed and includes a seminar presentation, a poster of your thesis research, and an essay. All assessment tasks are designed to give feedback about progress (formative assessment) and will also assess the overall standard of achievement in this unit (summative).
Assessment name:
Seminar Presentation
Description:
(Formative & Summative) In small groups, you will be asked to present a seminar on a current controversy in psychology, including associated ethical issues (during tutorial time). This topic can not be the same as the topic you choose for your essay . You will be responsible for identifying relevant reading materials for the class, producing a handout summarising your presentation, delivering the seminar, and participating in a 360-degree confidential assessment of your group's activities. You may choose the format of your presentation, with the expectation that the format you choose encourages audience participation. More information is provided on the assignment handout.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3 & 4.
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group
Due date:
Early-mid semester
Assessment name:
Essay
Description:
(Formative & Summative). You will be asked to write a 2500 word essay about a current controversy in psychology. Your essay will provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of issues associated with the debate, including relevant research and related ethical considerations. You will also have the opportunity to demonstrate and extend your skills in the areas of information literacy and written communication (including the ability to produce documents that conform to publication (APA) standards. More information is provided on the assignment handout.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3 & 4.
Weight:
45%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
mid semester
Assessment name:
Research Poster & Presentation
Description:
(Formative & Summative). You will be asked to prepare a conference-style poster based on your thesis topic. You poster may be based on your research results (work in progress), or it may be a conceptual poster based on the topic you intend researching (if you are a part-time student). This assignment will give you the opportunity to gain experience presenting research in poster format, using appropriate software. Your poster will be showcased during a poster display session that you will need to attend. You need to be prepared to discuss your poster with people invited to attend the research showcase. An A4 colour copy of your poster should be handed in the week before the poster presentations. Marking criteria are provided on the assignment handout.
Relates to objectives:
3.
Weight:
25%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
end semester
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Texts:
None required
Recommended reading:
- Morrissey, S., & Reddy, P (eds.) (2006) Ethics and professional practice for psychologists. Thompson: Melbourne Australia.
- Francis, R. (2004). Becoming a psychologist. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
- Sullivan, K. A. (2002). Australian psychologists? ethical beliefs and behaviours. Australian Psychologist, 37, 135-141.
- Sullivan, K. A. (2005). Where do Australian psychologists go for information about professional ethics? Australian Psychologist, 40(3), 187-189.
Journal Articles: Items will be placed on CMD during the course of the semester for your use.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 13-Sep-2012
