Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

To ensure high quality practice, psychologists working in the area of clinical psychology are continually required to reflect upon and modify their own practice to incorporate knowledge of the most recent research evidence. This requires clinical psychologists to have advanced skills in the critical evaluation, interpretation and application of research. The research thesis provides advanced skill development in these areas.

Aims

The aim of the research thesis unit is to provide you with the opportunity to develop high-level skills in the evaluation, interpretation and application of research. It will also enable you to undertake in-depth research in a specialised area of psychology and to make a contribution to the professional literature in clinical psychology.

Objectives

At the successful completion of the unit, you will be able to:

1. evaluate and address ethical issues which arise in clinical research;


2. demonstrate the ability to develop and utilise methodologies and procedures to investigate research questions and hypotheses;


3. demonstrate the ability to engage in data collection in response to your thesis research question.


4. demonstrate high level skills of critical analysis, which include the ability to interpret research findings, from a variety of perspectives, to integrate research findings, and to apply research findings to practice.

Content

The content will depend on the topic in clinical psychology that you choose as the focus of your research. The final outcome (to be submitted at the end of Thesis 4) may take two alternative forms. You may choose to submit a thesis in the conventional format or you may submit a 5,000 word literature review plus a prepared article that reports your research in a form that can be submitted for publication in an appropriate scholarly journal. If you choose the conventional format, the word count for your thesis should be 11,000 to 13,000 (approximately 40 to 50 pages without tables, figures or appendices).

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching and learning approaches will differ according to the needs of individual students. You should meet regularly with your supervisor, usually once a fortnight and preferably face-to-face. Research supervision will take the form of regular supervision with your thesis supervisor. At the Masters level, an apprenticeship model is encouraged in which you may work with your supervisor and fellow students in an area of mutual interest.

Assessment name: Methodology Section
Description: You are required to submit a methodology section for your thesis and demonstrate that the data collection of your thesis is feasible by commencing your data collection phase of your study by the end of the examination period of the semester in which you are enrolled. You are required to submit drafts of your work at periodic intervals, as arranged with your supervisor, so that written feedback can be given.
Relates to objectives: 1-4
Weight: 100%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

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

All students and supervisors should download a copy of the Research Student-Supervisor Statement of Understanding available at the following link on the Faculty of Health intranet:
Link to Web Page

You will be required to access databases and library resources extensively. Resources may also be available from your supervisor.

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