Ethics and Evidence-Based Practice (PSYC40006)

Knowledge: On completion of this subject students should demonstrate knowledge of:

• The major concepts, theoretical perspectives, research methods, and empirical findings relating to ethical research and applied practice in psychology;
• Ethical and appropriate behaviour in research and professional contexts with reference to the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics, NHMRC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research and current legal frameworks relating to privacy and human rights;
• The importance of the scientist-practitioner model in evidence-based psychological practice;
• Key principles underpinning the application and evaluation of common psychological tests and programs of behaviour change;
• An awareness of and respect for diverse experiences and culture in research, assessment and interviewing contexts, including reference to the experiences and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Skills: On completion of this subject students should have developed competency in:

• Critical thinking, utilising logic, evidence and psychological science to evaluate claims and solve problems regarding human behaviour;
• Evaluate published studies for evidence of diagnostic validity or treatment effectiveness;
• Communication, including written reports, clear verbal communication in small group contexts and reporting back to class, and basic interviewing skills including active listening, clarifying and reflecting, effective questioning, summarising and paraphrasing, developing rapport and empathic responding, awareness of issues relating to sensitive cross-cultural communication;
• Pre-professional applied skills including the administration and interpretation of the most commonly used tests of cognition and personality.

Application of knowledge and skills: On completion of this subject students should be able to apply their knowledge and skills to:

• Critically evaluate perspectives on psychological research and practice in relation to an ethical and evidence-based framework;
• Apply relevant codes of ethics and professional practice values to common ethical dilemmas encountered in psychological research and practice;
• Evaluate the scientific evidence base underlying claims of efficacy for psychological assessment tools and psychological intervention techniques;
• Administer, score, interpret and provide feedback on some of the widely used psychological test instruments using interview skills with appropriate cultural responsiveness;
• Undertake a brief self-directed behaviour change intervention and evaluate outcomes.