General Information
This subject provides training in ethics, legal frameworks, and research methods as relevant to the professional practice of psychology. The subject is taught in two sections. In section 1, students receive formal academic training in the philosophical foundations of ethics, the legal frameworks and professional codes relevant to psychological practice. In addition, students will learn to apply the APS Code, APS Guidelines and ethical decision making models to analyse and manage ethical dilemmas that can arise in psychological practice. Students will also undertake learning activates to build capability around inclusion & cultural diversity, to develop self-reflective and cultural responsive professional practice. To develop procedural skills in regards to risk management and ethical conduct, the first section of this course will also provide current first-hand accounts of psychological practice. In section 2, students receive advanced training in research ethics and research methods with a focus on applied research settings. This will include learning activities on developing an understanding of the unique ethical issues that arise when conducting research in professional psychological contexts. Furthermore, students will learn to apply and critically appraise evidence-based scientific methods in contexts ranging for single case studies, to clinical trials, and the evaluation of public mental health programs. This will section will further include an emphasis on strengthening capabilities to critically appraise the strengths and limitations of the various qualitative and quantitative research methods that are employed by psychologists. Finally, this subject provides students with the opportunity to individually investigate a psychological research question in form of a systematic literature review.
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Details
Academic unit: Faculty of Society & Design Subject code: PSYC71-505 Subject title: Research Methods, Professional Practice and Ethics Subject level: Postgraduate Semester/Year: May 2020 Credit points: 10.000 -
Delivery & attendance
Timetable: https://bond.edu.au/timetable Delivery mode: Standard Workload items: - Seminar: x12 (Total hours: 48) - Weekly seminar
- Personal Study Hours: x12 (Total hours: 72) - Recommended study hours
Attendance and learning activities: Attendance at lectures is compulsory. -
Resources
Prescribed resources: Books
- Australian Psychological Society (2007). Code of Ethics. n/a, Melbourne, Victoria Australian Psychological Society
Others
- Michael C Roberts & Stephan Ilardi (2003). Handbook of research methods in clinical psychology.
iLearn@Bond & Email: iLearn@Bond is the online learning environment at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, lecture recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications. Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student. To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au
| Academic unit: | Faculty of Society & Design |
|---|---|
| Subject code: | PSYC71-505 |
| Subject title: | Research Methods, Professional Practice and Ethics |
| Subject level: | Postgraduate |
| Semester/Year: | May 2020 |
| Credit points: | 10.000 |
| Timetable: | https://bond.edu.au/timetable |
|---|---|
| Delivery mode: | Standard |
| Workload items: |
|
| Attendance and learning activities: | Attendance at lectures is compulsory. |
| Prescribed resources: | Books
Others
|
|---|---|
| iLearn@Bond & Email: | iLearn@Bond is the online learning environment at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, lecture recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications. Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student. To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au |
Enrolment requirements
| Requisites: |
Nil |
|---|---|
| Assumed knowledge: |
Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.
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| Restrictions: |
Nil |
Assurance of learning
Assurance of Learning means that universities take responsibility for creating, monitoring and updating curriculum, teaching and assessment so that students graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need for employability and/or further study.
At Bond University, we carefully develop subject and program outcomes to ensure that student learning in each subject contributes to the whole student experience. Students are encouraged to carefully read and consider subject and program outcomes as combined elements.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge and skills that will be achieved on completion of the program. If you are undertaking this subject as part of a degree program, you should refer to the relevant degree program outcomes and graduate attributes as they relate to this subject.
Subject Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:
- Apply evidence-based and scientific methods to professional practice across the lifespan in empirically valid and culturally responsive ways.
- Employ professional communication skills, in a culturally responsive manner, with a range of socially and culturally diverse clients.
- Interpret and communicate findings in written formats, including formal psychological reports, using culturally appropriate language.
- Knowledge of how to practice effectively with a range of professional and support staff in the workplace and communicate and collaborate effectively, within the bounds of ethical and legal requirements.
- Operate within the boundaries of their professional competence, consult with peers or other relevant sources where appropriate, and refer on to relevant other practitioners where appropriate.
- Rigorously apply professional practice policies and procedures.
- Engage in self-reflective professional practice, taking account of the impact of their own values and beliefs, and taking appropriate actions as a result.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of their professional practice, identifying areas for improvement and implementing changes where needed.
- Critically evaluate contemporary scientific literature to inform practice.
- Knowledge of the requirements of regulatory and statutory authorities.
- Competence in the evaluation and application of research.
- Investigate a substantive individual research question relevant to the discipline of psychology.
- Demonstrate an understanding and application of cultural responsiveness, including with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
- Demonstrate an understanding and application of the principles of inter-professional learning and practice.
Generative Artificial Intelligence in Assessment
The University acknowledges that Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) tools are an important facet of contemporary life. Their use in assessment is considered in line with students’ development of the skills and knowledge which demonstrate learning outcomes and underpin study and career success. Instructions on the use of Gen-AI are given for each assessment task; it is your responsibility to adhere to these instructions.
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Assessment details
Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed Essay Professional Practice and Ethics Assignment 30.00% Week 5 3,5,6,7,10,14 Literature Review Systematic Literature Review 40.00% Week 8 9,11,12 Take-home Examination Short Answer Take Home Exam 30.00% Week 13 1,2,3,4,5,6,8,10,11,13 - * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
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Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria
High Distinction 85-100 Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. Distinction 75-84 Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. Credit 65-74 Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. Pass 50-64 Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. Fail 0-49 Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
| Type | Task | % | Timing* | Outcomes assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Professional Practice and Ethics Assignment | 30.00% | Week 5 | 3,5,6,7,10,14 |
| Literature Review | Systematic Literature Review | 40.00% | Week 8 | 9,11,12 |
| Take-home Examination | Short Answer Take Home Exam | 30.00% | Week 13 | 1,2,3,4,5,6,8,10,11,13 |
- * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
Assessment criteria
| High Distinction | 85-100 | Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. |
|---|---|---|
| Distinction | 75-84 | Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. |
| Credit | 65-74 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. |
| Pass | 50-64 | Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. |
| Fail | 0-49 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. |
Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
Study Information
Submission procedures
Students must check the iLearn@Bond subject site for detailed assessment information and submission procedures.
Policy on late submission and extensions
A late penalty will be applied to all overdue assessment tasks unless an extension is granted by the subject coordinator. The standard penalty will be 10% of marks awarded to that assessment per day late with no assessment to be accepted seven days after the due date. Where a student is granted an extension, the penalty of 10% per day late starts from the new due date.
Academic Integrity
University’s Academic Integrity Policy defines plagiarism as the act of misrepresenting as one’s own original work: another’s ideas, interpretations, words, or creative works; and/or one’s own previous ideas, interpretations, words, or creative work without acknowledging that it was used previously (i.e., self-plagiarism). The University considers the act of plagiarising to be a breach of the Student Conduct Code and, therefore, subject to the Discipline Regulations which provide for a range of penalties including the reduction of marks or grades, fines and suspension from the University.
Bond University utilises Originality Reporting software to inform academic integrity.Feedback on assessment
Feedback on assessment will be provided to students within two weeks of the assessment submission due date, as per the Assessment Policy.
Accessibility and Inclusion Support
If you have a disability, illness, injury or health condition that impacts your capacity to complete studies, exams or assessment tasks, it is important you let us know your special requirements, early in the semester. Students will need to make an application for support and submit it with recent, comprehensive documentation at an appointment with a Disability Officer. Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Office at the earliest possible time, to meet staff and learn about the services available to meet your specific needs. Please note that late notification or failure to disclose your disability can be to your disadvantage as the University cannot guarantee support under such circumstances.
Additional subject information
Subject curriculum
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Week 1: Overview of Course
Meet & greet, overview of course structure, and APAC requirements.
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Week 2: Introduction to Ethics
Philosophical underpinnings of ethics and classical ethical dilemmas.
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Week 3: Legal Frameworks Relevant for Psychological Practice
Introduction to the Australian legal system, Mental Health Act, Privacy Act and Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act.
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Week 4: Professional Codes and ethical decision making
APS Code & Guidelines (key points of consent, boundaries, competence, confidentiality, and risk management)
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Week 5: Cultural Awareness
Introduction to social and emotional wellbeing and cross- cultural engagement.
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Week 6: Introduction to Clinical Psychological Research
Current topics and techniques in clinical psychological research.
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Week 7: Research Ethics
History, current legal framework, and practical aspects of ethical conduct in human research.
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Week 8: Research Design & Research Funding
Pro & Cons of different research designs, and strategies to fund research.
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Week 9: Qualitative Research Methods
Introduction to the different methods and theories in qualitative research.
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Week 10: Programs & Program Evaluation
Design and evaluation of psychological public health programs.
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Week 11: Working in Private Practice
Overview of the opportunities and pitfalls of working in private practice: Different models of setting up a private practice, unethical employment contracts, Medicare benefits for psychologists, overview of other health professions, professional support and self-care.
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Week 12: Review & exam preparation
Review of lecture content and practice exam.