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    Overview

    Develops an understanding of the methods, procedures and logic used in psychological research and the ability to think critically about research design and outcomes in Psychology.

    This paper aims to familiarise students with psychological theory, standard designs, measures and analyses used in psychological research and with the underlying rationale and evidence used to interpret effects from experiments, correlational studies and qualitative investigations. Students will learn about the techniques used for the measurement of behaviours, abilities, attitudes and psychophysiological states.

    About this paper

    Paper title Principles of Psychological Research
    Subject Psychology
    EFTS 0.15
    Points 18 points
    Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,173.30
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Prerequisite
    PSYC 111 and PSYC 112
    Restriction
    PSYC 202
    Schedule C
    Arts and Music, Science
    Notes
    (i) For Neuroscience students the prerequisite is PSYC111. (ii) With departmental approval, a student who has attempted one only of PSYC111 and PSYC112, but who has achieved a grade of at least B and has passed additional papers worth at least 90 points, may take the other 100-level PSYC paper concurrently with any of PSYC203, PSYC210-PSYC212.
    Contact

    psy.psyc200@otago.ac.nz

    Teaching staff

    Dr Ryan Ward (Paper co-ordinator)

    Dr Hitaua Arahanga-Doyle (Paper co-ordinator)

    Dr Olivia Harrison

    Paper Structure

    This paper involves self-directed laboratory work supported by tutorials and lectures.
    Topics covered include:

    • Designing a psychological experiment
    • Hypothesis testing
    • Ethical + cultural principles of psychological research
    • Approaches to collecting qualitative data

    Laboratory Work:
    Topics in the laboratory programme are related to those covered in the lectures.

    Assessment:

    • Eight homework assignments worth 3% each (24% in total)
    • Test 26%
    • Final examination 50%
    Teaching Arrangements
    Three 50-minute lectures each week; 38 lectures in total.
    A one-hour per week optional tutorial programme.
    Textbooks

    Recommended Readings:
    Goodwin, K. A., & Goodwin, C. J. (2016). Research in psychology methods and design (8th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

    Additional required and supplementary readings will be set. These will be detailed in lectures and on Blackboard.

    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    Students who successfully complete the paper will have the ability to:

    • Think critically about research design and outcomes in psychology
    • Choose an appropriate method for investigating a psychological issue, to justify that choice and to interpret the results obtained

    Timetable

    Semester 1

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Monday 12:00-12:50 9-13, 15-22
    Tuesday 12:00-12:50 9-13, 15-22
    Wednesday 12:00-12:50 9-12, 16-22

    Tutorial

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend one stream from
    A1 Wednesday 14:00-14:50 10, 12, 17-22
    A2 Wednesday 15:00-15:50 10, 12, 17-22
    A3 Thursday 13:00-13:50 10, 12, 16, 18-22
    A4 Thursday 14:00-14:50 10, 12, 16, 18-22
    A5 Thursday 15:00-15:50 10, 12, 16, 18-22
    A6 Thursday 11:00-11:50 10, 12, 16, 18-22

    Terms Test (Streamed)

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend one stream from
    A1 Wednesday 12:00-12:50 15
    A2 Wednesday 12:00-12:50 15
    A3 Wednesday 12:00-12:50 15
    A4 Wednesday 12:00-12:50 15
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