Research Methods for Human Inquiry (PSYC30013)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
In this subject, students will aquire research skills and methods to critically investigate, measure and assess research topics involving human behaviour, interactions, and thought in a variety of contexts. In addition, students will aquire an understanding of fundamental principles in psychological assessment of individual traits and dispositions, in particular, how to evaluate the reliability and validity of psychological assessments. Emphasis will be placed on how the skills and techniques being taught are tools for gathering evidence relating to real-world problems typically encountered in the behavioural sciences, but not limited to this area, for which meaningful inferences can be generalised beyond the particular sample data available. Topics to be covered may include research design, implementation, and evaluation; techniques for measuring human behaviour, emotions, and interactions; the application of relatively simple quantitative models to data in order to identify differences and associations, make predictions, and possibly assert causation.
Intended learning outcomes
The subject aims to:
- develop skills in the design and assessment of methods to investigate complex problems
- learn how to apply quantitative models to data concerning real-world problems
- develop student understanding of, and capacity to, translate research questions into meaningful and appropriate methods of investigation
- understand fundamental principles for the evaluation of individual and group based psychological assessments
Generic skills
Students will be given appropriate opportunity and educational support to develop skills to:
- think critically and coherently about how to identify and investigate complex problems
- translate aims and objectives for investigating complex problems into measureable questions, hypotheses, findings and answers
- evaluate various forms of evidence to support answers to, and inferences about, complex problems
- synthesise and present evidence in meaningful and interpretable ways for others to comprehend
- critically recognize and articulate specific kinds of limitations when investigating complex problems
- evaluate the reliability and validity of common psychological tests and other approaches to psychological assessment
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
No prerequisites are required for this subject
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
512320 Research Methods 3
512302 Research Methods for Human Inquiry
Recommended background knowledge
Prior coursework in at least two Level 2 psychology subjects is recommended. Level 2 psychology subjects includes Biological Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Personality & Social Psychology. Students are recommended to have previous experience with statistical analysis software, preferably SPSS.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Assessment
Additional details
- 1500 word assignment, due mid semester (35%)
- 3 hour exam, at end of semester (65%)
Hurdle requirements:
- Each piece of assessment must be completed
- Attendance of at least 80% of laboratory classes.
In case of failure to meet the hurdle requirement, additional work will be required before a passing grade can be awarded.
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Paul Dudgeon Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 27 February 2017 to 28 May 2017 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2017 Census date 31 March 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2017 Assessment period ends 23 June 2017 Semester 1 contact information
Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment for this subject is 170 hours
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG. Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Major Psychology Major Psychology - Breadth options
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
subject coordinator approval required
Last updated: 9 April 2025