Outline

Overview

Students enrolled in the Honours programs study various advanced aspects of Psychology. The program may include lectures, tutorials, seminars and practicals. They will undertake a research project. Assessment will include the project and may include examinations and classwork.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	PSYC4011
Academic unit	Psychology Academic Operations
Credit points	12
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Rebecca Pinkus, rebecca.pinkus@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Participation	Advanced Psychometrics Participation and exams	12.5%	Multiple weeks	16x2hr lectures; 6x2hr tutorials
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Foundations of Professional Practice Online task, participation, written assignment, final exam	12.5%	Multiple weeks	1x2hr lecturesX7wks; 1x2hrpracticalx6wks
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Advanced seminars or Theoretical thesis Essay or critical review (AS) Thesis (TT)	25%	Multiple weeks	2500 words x2 (AS); 8000 (TT)
Outcomes assessed:
Honours thesis	Empirical thesis Honours thesis	50%	Ongoing	12000 words
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Empirical thesis: Students conduct a research project across semester 1 and 2 under the supervision of a staff member and report this project in a thesis. Meetings with supervisors will normally occur weekly.
Theoretical thesis: Students have the option of choosing to complete either the theoretical thesis or the special fields coursework (but not both). Students will attempt to solve a conceptual problem that has empirical implications with the guidance of a supervisor and without the structure/constraints of weekly classes, presentations across semester 1 and 2. It involves consulting regularly with your supervisor, and submitting a single dissertation.
Advanced seminar coursework: Students have the option of choosing to complete either the theoretical thesis or the advanced seminar coursework (but not both). Students must submit one major assessment - a substantial essay or critical review. Each of the advanced seminar major assessments must be written on distinctly different topics - there should be minimal or no overlap in the literatures and reference lists. Potential reference lists for a student's major assessment question are not to overlap substantially with the references for the empirical thesis.
Advanced psychometrics: This component of compulsory coursework consists of a core component (A) and a workshops component (B) during semester 1. The core component (A) consists of weekly lectures, tutorials during semester 1. Lecture material will be assessed in two formal exams held in the middle and end of semester 1. The workshops component (B) consists of compulsory workshops usually scheduled during STUVAC of semester 1.
Foundations of professional practice: This component of compulsory coursework consists of weekly lectures and participation in workshops during semester 2. Assessment includes a formal exam.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Written work, thesis, ongoing, completed across all units

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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Multiple weeks	Advanced Psychometrics (2 hrs each). Weeks 1-6, and 8-10	Lecture (36 hr)
	Advanced Psychometrics (2 hrs each)	Practical (12 hr)
	Foundations of Professional Practice (2 hrs each)	Lecture (14 hr)
	Foundations of Professional Practice (2 hrs each)	Practical (12 hr)
	Advanced Psychometrics (2 hrs each)	Lecture (4 hr)

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 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

APS Code of Conduct for Psychologists

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. describe, explain, evaluate and apply key principles of ethical conduct that apply to psychologists working in professional practice and research
LO2. apply decision making to ethical dilemmas that are likely to be faced by practicing psychologists in a variety of areas
LO3. explain how to work responsively with a range of culturally diverse clients
LO4. demonstrate interpersonal communication and interview skills in situations relevant to psychological practice and research. This includes active listening, clarifying and reflecting, effective questioning, summarising and paraphrasing, developing rapport, appropriate cultural responsiveness and empathic responding
LO5. describe and apply basic assessment and interpretation skills in personality and/or cognition
LO6. explain how basic psychological intervention strategies can be applied across a range of contexts.
LO7. Source, collate, synthesise and critically evaluate information from a range of relevant sources and identify knowledge gaps for investigation
LO8. Develop a research question with creativity and lateral thinking
LO9. Use appropriate methodologies to design experiments, and collect and analyse data to investigate a research question
LO10. Demonstrate a command of relevant disciplinary conceptual and theoretical frameworks
LO11. Communicate research methodologies and ﬁndings in written form for a scientiﬁc audience
LO12. Produce independent research which is an original contribution to the discipline
LO13. development of a critical and analytic approach towards measurement and psychometric theories
LO14. understanding of conceptual issues relating to probability and null hypothesis significance testing
LO15. have an understanding of experimental design issues: control of unwanted variability, confounding and bias, increasing power with covariate control
LO16. use dummy coding and contrast coding to test statistical hypotheses within the General Linear Model
LO17. evaluate the methods, instruments used, and data gathered in non-experimental research, including surveys
LO18. undertake appropriate item analysis as a part of scale development
LO19. interpret exploratory and confirmatory factor analytic techniques
LO20. apply validity and reliability concepts to practical applications of testing
LO21. analyse data and interpret output in a scientifically meaningful way
LO22. understanding of the limitations and shortcomings of psychometric/statistical models, packages, and inferences
LO23. develop in-depth knowledge of current developments in research and/or theory in the area covered by the Advanced Seminars
LO24. take a critical stance in evaluating empirical evidence and/or psychological theories in the Advanced Seminar area
LO25. develop an appreciation of methodological issues in the Advanced Seminar area
LO26. develop an appreciation of ethical issues in the Advanced Seminar area
LO27. give an oral presentation of theoretical or empirical material relevant to the Advanced Seminar area

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

PSYC4011: Psychology Honours A

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect