| Semester 2, 2020 On-campus Toowoomba | |
| Short Description: | Research Methods Practitioners |
| Units : | 1 |
| Faculty or Section : | Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences |
| School or Department : | School of Psychology and Counselling |
| Student contribution band : | Band 1 |
| ASCED code : | 090701 - Psychology |
| Grading basis : | Graded |
Staffing
Examiner:
Requisites
Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: MPPS or MCPS or be undertaking the course as professional development
Rationale
Research skills are a necessary and important element in the training of any psychologist. Practitioners are required to provide services on a daily basis that apply their understanding derived from the research literature, their own clinical and research experiences, and the critical evaluation of evidence. The skills in designing valid research studies and the statistical procedures associated with group studies have been customarily the focus of previous courses. This course aims to focus on mastery of the research techniques, methods, and analyses that most directly inform clinical practice. Rather than the design and execution of research studies, this course will develop the skills to critically evaluate and apply statistical methods to the treatment and assessment of clients.
Synopsis
The understanding of research theory and how it applies to psychological practice is an essential skill for all practitioners. This course provides training in the development of knowledge and skills necessary for evaluating research evidence relating to assessment and treatment options and integrating this new information to ensure ongoing best practice. The ability to effectively monitor, evaluate and reflect on individual practice will also be explored in depth.
Topics covered include: evidence-based practice; practice-based research; conducting literature searches and reviews; common research methods and analyses relating to clinical practice (including single-case design studies); evaluating research findings; generating research questions and hypothesis testing; selecting assessment and treatment options; outcome monitoring and evaluating change in individual clients; refining interventions to improve retention; and cultural and diversity research and practice implications.
These skills and knowledge will facilitate ongoing refinement of practice throughout a practitioner's career.
Attendance at the five on-campus workshops is mandatory. Dates of the five workshops will be according to the 'Workshop Schedule' which will be emailed to students at the outset of the program.
Objectives
On completion of this course students should be able to:
- implement a scientist-practitioner framework to identify assessment and treatment strategies for a range of clinical problems;
- evaluate the level of evidence relevant to a particular psychological phenomenon or problem of interest, including program evaluation;
- systematically locate and critically evaluate research literature related to psychological treatment/assessment, and synthesise this information into a literature review;
- develop analytical methods and learn how to incorporate research findings into psychological assessments and treatment plans;
- integrate skills in the analysis and interpretation of effect sizes developed to guide clinical practice;
- employ appropriate tools and techniques to evaluate individual client assessment and individual and group treatment progress, and satisfaction and response to treatment using professional and ethical frameworks;
- effectively communicate research findings and implications to clients and other professionals.
Topics
| Description | Weighting(%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Introduction to research applications and the scientist-practitioner model | 20.00 |
| 2. | Identifying and evaluating clinical research | 10.00 |
| 3. | Integration of research findings into clinical practice | 25.00 |
| 4. | Outcome monitoring and evaluation in clinical practice | 25.00 |
| 5. | Research applications in the workplace. | 20.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
ALL textbooks and materials available to be purchased can be sourced from (unless otherwise stated). (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/textbooks/?year=2020&sem=02&subject1=PSY5050)
Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)
Reference materials
Student workload expectations
| Activity | Hours |
|---|---|
| Private 精东传媒app | 125.00 |
| Workshops | 40.00 |
Assessment details
| Description | Marks out of | Wtg (%) | Due Date | Objectives Assessed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-case study report | 100 | 100 | 06 Nov 2020 | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 | (see note 1) |
Notes
- The Course Examiner will advise students of the due date via 精东传媒appDesk.
Important assessment information
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Attendance requirements:
It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in the compulsory workshops held on-campus, where the skills components of this course will be taught. During these workshops, students will engage in the development and practice of skills. Further, it is the students' responsibility to study all assigned material. If circumstances prevent a student from attending any portion of a workshop, the student MUST contact the examiner IN ADVANCE, if at all possible. The student must also contact the examiner in order to arrange an alternative activity, although it is important to note that it will be at the examiner鈥檚 discretion as to whether an alternative activity will be made available. Attendance at, and participation in, the five workshops and/or completion of one or more alternative activities at a standard judged to be appropriate by the examiner is required to pass the course. Attendance at the five on-campus workshops is mandatory. Dates of the five workshops will be according to the Workshop Schedule' which will be emailed to students at the outset of the program. -
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks available for the assessment item. See also point 4 below. -
Penalties for late submission of required work:
Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4) -
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade, a student must submit the assessment item, and achieve at least 50% of the total mark, in addition to attending all workshops. All courses in the MPPS and MCPS are approved by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), which requires that students pass all assessment items in all courses. Where a student fails the assignment, the student will be allowed one opportunity to re-submit their work following feedback from the course examiner. If a student fails the assignment a second time, he or she will be deemed to have failed the course and will be required to undertake the course again at its next offering. Where illness, bereavement, or circumstances of similar gravity affect a student鈥檚 ability to meet the high standards expected in the course, the student should meet with the course examiner and Director of Postgraduate Psychology to negotiate suitable management of the person鈥檚 individual needs in accordance to 精东传媒app policies and procedures. -
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the one assessment item in the course, with a passing grade only awarded where all workshops were attended and the assessment item was passed. -
Examination information:
There is no examination in this course. -
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
There will be no Deferred or Supplementary examinations in this course. -
精东传媒app Student Policies:
Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene 精东传媒app policies and practices. These policies can be found at .
Other requirements
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Students will require regular access to e-mail and internet access to UConnect for this course. Reliable access to the internet is a requirement of this course as the course contains elements that are managed electronically via USQ 精东传媒appDesk. In order to avoid internet issues, on-campus students should access the student computer laboratories to complete assignment work. External students who knowingly do not have reliable access to the internet should actively seek alternative internet access (e.g., Internet cafes, local libraries, or work places) for assessment submission and electronic assessment attempts. External students are able to use the on-campus student computer laboratories once access has been enabled. To be granted access, external students need to contact ICT and ask to have a student account enabled so that they can work on-campus.