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Unit of study_

ATHK1001: Analytical Thinking

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Analytical Thinking is a course covering aspects of research design, interpretation of data, analysis, logic, and thinking processes. It is comprised of three sections: Data Concepts and Analysis; Logic and Basic Arguments; and Research and Everyday Reasoning. The section on Data Concepts and Analysis covers aspects of research design, data collection, and basic forms of hypothesis testing and statistical tests are introduced. The Logic and Basic Arguments section covers material ranging from valid and invalid forms of argument and errors in reasoning to critiques of arguments presented in case studies. The Research and Everyday Reasoning section examines how arguments and scientific evidence are presented and interpreted in the media, society, and interpersonal interactions. Together, the three course components teach foundational skills necessary for carrying out meaningful academic discussions, arguments, and research studies, which may be applied to any content area of scholarly enquiry.

Unit details and rules

Unit code ATHK1001
Academic unit Psychology Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Bruce Burns, bruce.burns@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Alex Holcombe, alex.holcombe@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam hurdle task Final Exam
Multiple choice and short answer questions
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment Assignment 1
Analysis and evaluation of a unique data set
17.5% Week 07
Due date: 23 Apr 2021 at 23:59

Closing date: 21 May 2021
750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO8
Assignment Assignment 2
Questions on logic and research evaluation
22.5% Week 11
Due date: 17 May 2021 at 23:59

Closing date: 07 Jun 2021
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6 LO8
Online task Online mastery quizzes
Short, mastery quizzes on that week's content (best of 10)
10% Weekly May be done multiple times
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Assignment 1: Mainly assesses material from the “data concepts and analysis” component of the unit.
  • Assignment 2: Mainly assesses material from the “Logic and Basic Arguments” component of the unit.
  • Mastery quizzes: There are 13 quizzes, however we only count your 10 best quiz marks. Each quiz will consist of a small number of questions about the material presented that week in lectures or tutorials.
  • Final exam: assess data concepts and analysis (45% weighting), Logic and Basic Arguments (30% weighting), and Research and Everyday Reasoning (25% weighting).

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts

Distinction

75 - 84

At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.

Credit

65 - 74

At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the unit material and can solve routine problems and/or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.

Pass

50 - 64

At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. What is analytical thinking?; 2. Why study statistics?; 3. Descriptive statistics Lecture (3 hr) LO1
Orientation Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 02 1. Deceptive statistics; 2. Correlation; 3. Basic probability Lecture (3 hr) LO1
Using descriptive statistics Tutorial (1 hr) LO1
Week 03 1. Problems with probability; 2. Collecting data; 3. More on data Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Using correlation Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 04 1. The central limit theorem; 2. Hypothesis testing; 3. Inference Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Instructions for assignment 1 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO8
Week 05 1. Statistical tests 2. Categorical data analysis; 3. Regression analysis; Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO4
Underpinnings of hypothesis testing Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 06 1. Regression analysis issues; 2. Program evaluation; 3. Summing up Lecture (3 hr) LO2
Testing hypotheses Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 07 1. Correlation versus causation; 2. Mastering correlation versus causation; 3. Correlational study and experiment problems Lecture (3 hr) LO4 LO5
Using statistical tests Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 08 Arguments and logic Lecture (3 hr) LO6
Evidence: correlations and experiments Tutorial (1 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 09 Arguments and logic Lecture (3 hr) LO5 LO6
Logic and syllogisms 1 Tutorial (1 hr) LO6
Week 10 Real-world reasoning and heuristics Lecture (3 hr) LO5
Logic and syllogisms 2 Tutorial (1 hr) LO6
Week 11 Real-world reasoning and heuristics Lecture (3 hr) LO7
Reasoning Tutorial (1 hr) LO7
Week 12 Real-world reasoning and heuristics Lecture (3 hr) LO7
Heuretics and biases Tutorial (1 hr) LO7
Week 13 Real-world reasoning and heuristics Lecture (3 hr) LO7
Applications Tutorial (1 hr) LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Due to the exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance requirements for this unit of study have been amended. Where online tutorials/workshops/virtual laboratories have been scheduled, students should make every effort to attend and participate at the scheduled time. Penalties will not be applied if technical issues, etc. prevent attendance at a specific online class. In that case, students should discuss the problem with the coordinator, and attend another session, if available.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Short readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas. Their availablity will be announced when appropriate.

There is one recommended (but not required) text which will help you  with the Data Concepts and Analysis section:

  • Wheelan, C. (2013). Naked Statistics: Stripping the dread from the data. New York: Norton.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Demonstrate a basic conceptual understanding of descriptive statistics used across disciplines.
  • LO2. Demonstrate a basic conceptual understanding of inferential statistics used across disciplines, though not of their mathematical underpinnings.
  • LO3. Demonstrate basic skills in computing and data handling
  • LO4. Understand and evaluate the quality of data based on its sources and the different methods used to collect it.
  • LO5. Identify ways of approaching the exploration of a research question and understand potential sources of bias in information sources.
  • LO6. Demonstrate a basic understanding of how logic can help analytical thinking and use it to analyze problems, within your discipline and across disciplines.
  • LO7. Demonstrate an understanding of basic processes of thinking and why these could lead to errors in reasoning, the evaluation of data and of learning.
  • LO8. Communicate the results of data analysis and research appropriately through written work

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

  • No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances 
  • A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory 
  • Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories 
  • In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door 
  • First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory 
  • As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.