General information
This subject provides training in research methods and evaluation, professional practice, and ethics as applied to the professional practice of psychology. The subject is taught in two sections. In section 1, students receive 24 hours of formal academic training in learning how to manage ethical issues that arise in professional settings. The professional aspects of psychological practice are also addressed. This section includes a review of the APS Code of Ethics and Ethical Guidelines as applied to ethical dilemmas. Relevant legislative requirements as they relate to the practice of psychology and the National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce are also covered. In section 2, students receive 24 hours of advanced training in the application of research to treatment planning and evaluating treatment outcomes. Research methods used in the applied practice of psychology, such as case studies and single case designs are discussed, and qualitative and quantitative data analytic techniques employed in applied research are examined. Students learn to identify psychological questions arising from legal theory and/or professional practice and how to design research strategies to address these questions in a manner helpful to non-psychologists and the field of public policy and legislation more broadly. There is an emphasis on how to critically appraise the strengths and limitations of various research strategies, and on developing an understanding of the unique ethical issues that arise when conducting research in professional contexts.
Details
| Academic unit: | Faculty of Society & Design |
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| Subject code: | PSYC71-505 |
| Subject title: | Research Methods, Professional Practice and Ethics |
| Subject level: | Postgraduate |
| Semester/Year: | May 2017 |
| Credit points: | 10 |
Delivery & attendance
| Timetable: | https://bond.edu.au/timetable |
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| Delivery mode: | Standard |
| Workload items: |
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| Attendance and learning activities: | Attendance at lectures is compulsory. |
Resources
| Prescribed resources: |
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| [email protected] & Email: | [email protected] 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 |
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| Restrictions: ? | This subject is not available to
This subject is not available as a general elective. To be eligible for enrolment, the subject must be specified in the students’ program structure. |
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:
- Demonstrate knowledge and behaviour consistent with the ethical, legal and professional requirements of psychological practice.
- Demonstrate skills and knowledge of systematic psychological assessment.
- Demonstrate the application of research knowledge and skills to psychological practice.
- Demonstrate excellent written communication skills.
Assessment
Assessment details
| Type | Task | % | Timing* | Outcomes assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Program Evaluation | 40% | Week 4 | 1, 2, 3, 4. |
| Essay | Professional Practice and Ethics Assignment | 30% | Week 8 | 1, 4. |
| Paper-based Examination (Closed) | End of Semester Examination | 30% | Final Examination Period | 1, 3. |
- * 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. |
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| 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 [email protected] 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.
Policy on plagiarism
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.
Disability 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.
Subject curriculum
Australian Psychological Society. (2007). Code of Ethics. Melbourne, VIC: Author. (including associated APS Ethical Guidelines). Morrissey, S., Reddy, P., Davidson, G., & Allan, A. (Eds.). (2015). Ethics and professional practice for psychologists. Melbourne, Australia: Cengage.
Further readings will be provided in the reading list available on the course iLearn Resources page.
Lecture notes, assessment information, additional readings, and selected lecture material is posted on iLearn. Students are encouraged to take additional notes during lectures. Relevant class announcements will also be made via iLearn.
1 Overview of Course Ethical values and principles underlying research 2 Overview of relevant legislation: Psychologist Registration Act; Health Practitioners (Professional Standards) Act; National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce; QLD/NSW/VIC Mental Health Act; Ethical Guidelines APS Code of Ethics & Guidelines 3 Ethical decision making models and their application APS Code of Ethics & Guidelines 4 Dissemination of scientific research findings; Single case designs 5 The application of psychological theory and research methods to answer questions relevant to public policy and legislation 6 Self-reflective practice: Ethics, research and consultancy APS Code of Ethics & Guidelines 7 Expert evidence and communicating findings and research to non-psychologists and other practitioners in the professional setting; Research methods in professional practice 8 Ethical Considerations in Advanced Forensic Mental Health Issues 9 Dissemination of scientific research findings; Qualitative research methods 10 Qualitative research methods and their application to research 11 Ethical issues in private practice, supervision and training 12 Ethical and legal cross cultural considerations; E therapy; Exam preparation