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 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, 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. conduct a competent data base search;


2. demonstrate your ability to identify issues in the research literature and generate relevant research questions and hypotheses;


3. write a critical literature review;


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


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


6. demonstrate skills in the application of statistics or rigorous qualitative methodologies;


7. 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: Thesis
Description: You need to submit your thesis by the end of the semester in which you enrol in the fourth thesis unit. Your thesis will be assessed by one internal university examiner and one examiner external to the university. You are required to submit drafts of your work at periodic intervals, as arranged with your supervisor, so that written feedback can be given. A final draft of your thesis must be viewed by the supervisor before it is submitted for examination. Once your thesis is accepted, you are required to submit two bound copies of the thesis.
Relates to objectives: 1-7
Weight: 100%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of 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

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

The library subscribes to a large number of print and electronic journals that will provide articles about current developments and research in clinical psychology.

To do a comprehensive search to locate journals articles, conference papers, etc on a topic you must do a search of the electronic databases.

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