PYB210 Research Design and Data Analysis
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | PYB210 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | PYB110 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $515 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,624 |
| International unit fee | $4,092 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2023, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | PYB210 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | PYB110 |
| Coordinator: | Rhys Luckey | rj.luckey@qut.edu.au |
Overview
The ability to understand, critique and conduct research is a fundamental skill in the behavioural sciences, as well as in many professional settings. PYB210 is part of a series of research design and data analysis units taught across the psychology degree program. It builds on the material introduced in PYB110 and prepares you for the third year unit PYB350. This unit will develop your knowledge of research design, data collection methods and analysis. The unit will build your ability to work with and interpret data from a number of sources, which are invaluable skills in a wide variety of careers.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the major principles of the scientific method and a sound understanding of the issues involved in the design of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to answer research questions or test hypotheses.
- Select, conduct (using SPSS), interpret and report statistical analyses (e.g. correlation, regression, ANOVA), to answer specific research questions.
- Critically evaluate the research design, data analysis, and conclusions drawn from psychological research.
Content
The general topics to be covered in lectures will include research design, descriptive analysis, correlation and regression, ANOVA design and analysis and qualitative research methods. Research design lectures will cover topics such as the foundations of research and the scientific method, research design approaches for different research questions, the key quantitative research methods including experimental and non-experimental designs and issues of reliability and validity of these designs. Quantitative analysis lectures will cover both the theory and application of descriptive statistics, correlation, regression and ANOVA. The statistical component of the course will cover the logic of these analyses, how to conduct them using SPSS, as well as how to report them to answer a research question or test an hypothesis. The qualitative research lectures will look at qualitative approaches to research design, the main qualitative research methods and analyses, as well as validity and reliability issues in qualitative research.
Learning Approaches
This unit takes a research design approach to data analysis. This means that quantitative and qualitative analyses are treated as one step in a larger process which includes formulating theoretically sound research questions or hypotheses, selecting suitable research methodologies, data collection methods and analyses to answer research questions or test hypothesis. The unit includes lectures and tutorials. The lectures are recorded and all learning resources are placed on Canvas. You should gain a sound theoretical understanding of research design and data analysis techniques by revising the lecture and tutorial content and relevant sections of your textbooks and by completing the quizzes provided to test your understanding. In the laboratory classes, an action-based learning approach is taken where you will complete exercises designed to build a corpus of skill in the areas of experimental design, the use of SPSS, key qualitative methodologies and analyses, reporting results, and the interpretation of data. The unit is intended to promote your learning by encouraging active participation in lectures and tutorials to guide you in how to engage in critical enquiry when reviewing the research design and analysis techniques in psychology.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
There will be many opportunities for you to develop your understanding and skills and to obtain feedback throughout the semester. Answers to tutorial or practice quiz exercises will be provided for you to check your understanding as the semester progresses. Feedback will also be given during tutorials in response to your performance on tasks and activities in tutorials.
Assessment
Overview
Continuous assessment using both formative and summative components is employed. This includes an online assessment which requires you to critically assess research designs, a problem solving task in which you are required to analyse data and write up the results, and a final examination. In all cases, these items of assessment are designed to ensure that you understand, and can apply, the concepts taught in the unit. Detailed assignment notices will be provided during the semester.
You are required to electronically submit all written assignments for content matching checks. As this unit is an internal offering, you are expected to attend final examinations in person on QUT Brisbane campuses.
How your grade will be determined:
You will receive a mark for each individual assessment item, along with feedback on that item. At the end of semester, marks for individual items will be summed to determine your overall percentage.
Your grade will then be determined based on the following grade parameters:
Grade %
7 85-100
6 75-84
5 65-74
4 50-64
3 40-49
2 25-30
1 < 25
Note that prior to release of marks, the unit coordinator undertakes a moderation process to ensure that individual markers have applied criteria and standards consistently and fairly. Actively reading the feedback provided will enhance your learning success.
Final grades are not confirmed until reviewed by the relevant Faculty Assessment Committee and approved by the Executive Dean at the completion of each teaching period.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Critique
This online assessment will require you to answer questions and critically assess different research designs. Critical analysis of research is a key professional skill in psychology, and this assessment will help you consolidate this important skill.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Problem Solving Task
You will be given a research scenario and data and be required to answer questions involving analysis and interpretation of this data.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Final Examination
The final exam will be held during the examination period and will consist of a range of question types including multiple choice and calculation questions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
As this course covers research design, and statistical analysis including using SPSS, there are a number of required and recommended texts that will help you with the concepts in the unit.
Additional readings for this unit will be listed in the Unit Information on the QUT Canvas site, and will be made accessible online via the PYB210 QUT Canvas site (in QUT Readings).
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Your 1st Year Statistics Text: Aron, A., Aron, E. N., & Coups, E. J. (2014). An introduction to statistics and research methods for psychology. Compiled for PYB110 Psychological Research Methods and PYB210 Research Design and Data Analysis. Frenchs Forest, Australia: Pearson.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.