Advanced Psychological Theory & Practice

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Estimated total time commitment for this subject is 180 hours.

Students must be enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Psychology and have completed PSYC40014 Advanced Research Methods in Psychology and at least two Level 2 subjects.

PSYC30013 Research Method for Human Inquiry

PSYC30021 Psychological Science : Theory and Practice

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject draws together students'undergraduate experiences in psychology by emphasising links between the science and practice of psychology in contemporary life (the science-practitioner model). The subject comprises a lectrue and a research seminar stream. In the lecture stream the three areas of strength in the Psychology Department - Clinical Sciences. Social Psychology, Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience - will be reviewed in depth. Specifically, a case-study approach is used to explore problem-based learning in Psychology. In the research stream, students work on a research topic with a small group of peers, under the superivsion of a psychology department academic. The aims of the lecture and research streams are to prepare students for further studies within the discipline or the workplace by practicing core research skills. These include understanding ethical aspects of research, collaborating with peers in planning research, collecting and analysing data, and report writing. Consistent with best practice, individuals will report the research findings in an oral presentation to academics and peers.

Knowledge: Students should demonstrate

• advanced knowledge of Psychology's major concepts, theoretical prospectives, historical trends, and empirical findings;
• advanced knowledge of the principles of ethical research practice as outlines in the NHMRC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research and an awareness of cultural diversity;
• advanced understanding of the principles of conducting psychological research;
• knoweldge of the application of research methods in different contexts.

Skills: Students should be able to

• apply knowledge of the scientific method to conduct and interpret research studies that address complex psychological research questions;
• apply knowledge of ethical principles to the conduct of a research project;
• apply research design principles to develop a clearly articulated and theoretically motivated research plan;
• translate research questions into meaningful and appropriate methods of investigation;
• apply knowledge of quantitative methods to analyse data;
• evaluate and draw conclusions from research findings;
• demonstrate effective writing and oral presentaion skills to communicate psychological theories and research findings to academic, professional and lay audiences.

Application of knowledge and skills: Students should be able to apply their knowledge and skills to:

• articulate how psychological research can inform public policy;
• use research findings from case-studies to solve problems in clinical contexts;
• apply psychological concepts and theories to problems of behavioural change in a range of contexts such as home, workplace, community and global settings.

Graduate Attributes Portfolio throughout semester (10%)

Oral Presentation at the end of semester (15%)

An indvidual research report of 2000 words submitted at the end of semester (35%)

Two hour end of semester examination to be held during the specified University examination period (40%)

No prescribed texts

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students should acquire the ability to:

• demonstrate a capacity for reflective thinking and self-evaluation;
• apply skills in the giving and receiving of feedback and peer assessment;
• set goals, manage time and priorities, and organise and direct their own learning;
• maintain a high level of personal and professional integrity;
• collaborate effectively on group projects.