Faculty of Health

HPS104 Foundations of Psychological Science

Deakin University Unit Guide

Trimester 1, 2018
CONTENTS

WELCOME ........................................................................................................................................................................... 2
WHO IS THE UNIT TEAM? ................................................................................................................................................... 2
Unit Chair: leads the teaching team and is responsible for overall delivery of this unit ............................................ 2
Unit chair details ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Administrative queries ................................................................................................................................................ 2
ABOUT THIS UNIT ............................................................................................................................................................... 2
Unit development in response to student feedback ................................................................................................... 3
Your course and Deakin's Graduate Learning Outcomes ............................................................................................ 3
Your Unit Learning Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................... 3
ASSESSING YOUR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES ........................................................................... 4
Overview ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Summative assessments ............................................................................................................................................. 4
- Summative assessment task 1 .................................................................................................................................. 5
- Summative assessment task 2 .................................................................................................................................. 5
- Summative assessment task 3 .................................................................................................................................. 6
- Summative assessment task 4 .................................................................................................................................. 6
- Summative assessment task 5 .................................................................................................................................. 7
Your learning experiences in this Unit - and your expected commitment .................................................................. 7
Contact Hours ............................................................................................................................................................. 7
Note ............................................................................................................................................................................. 8
UNIT LEARNING RESOURCES .............................................................................................................................................. 8
Essential learning resources ........................................................................................................................................ 8
Recommended learning resources ............................................................................................................................. 8
KEY DATES FOR THIS TRIMESTER ....................................................................................................................................... 8
UNIT WEEKLY ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................................................................... 9

12 February 2018
 Deakin University, Faculty of Health
HPS104 Foundations of Psychological Science - Trimester 1, 2018

WELCOME

Welcome to the unit HPS104 Foundations of Psychological Science. As your unit chair, I hope that you will find this unit both
intellectually stimulating and relevant to your studies in your current course and your future directions as a Deakin graduate.

You may need to contact me as the unit chair at some stage during this trimester. Most communication will be via the
discussion boards on CloudDeakin. But for personal matters or in an emergency, you may need to contact me directly; my
contact details are below. If I am not in my office when you call, please leave a message on my voicemail or email me and I
will respond as soon as possible.

This Unit Guide provides you with the key information about this Unit. For the best chance of success, you should read it
carefully and refer to it frequently throughout the trimester. Your Unit site (accessed in DeakinSync) also provides
information about your rights and responsibilities. We will assume you have read this before the Unit commences, and we
expect you to refer to it throughout the trimester.

WHO IS THE UNIT TEAM?

Unit Chair: leads the teaching team and is responsible for overall delivery of this unit

Alexander Mussap

Unit chair details

Associate Professor Alex Mussap

Campus: Melbourne Burwood Campus
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +61 3 925 17103

Administrative queries

If you need help with any aspect of your life at Deakin, you can:

● Contact your Unit Chair or Campus Leader

● Speak to a Student/Course Advisor
● Drop in or contact Student Central
● Ask Watson (accessed in DeakinSync and your unit sites)
● Visit the Division of Student Life

ABOUT THIS UNIT

This unit introduces students to the empirical foundations of psychology. The central question addressed is: 'What does it
mean to be an evidence-based practitioner of psychology?'. Topics include: the nature of evidence in psychology; the
relationship between psychological research and practice; experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental
quantitative research designs; qualitative research; threats to the reliability and validity of research; statistics and the
interpretation of results; ethical research and ethical practice in psychology.

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 Deakin University, Faculty of Health
HPS104 Foundations of Psychological Science - Trimester 1, 2018

Unit development in response to student feedback

Every trimester, we ask students to tell us, through eVALUate, what helped and hindered their learning in each Unit. You are
strongly encouraged to provide constructive feedback for this Unit when eVALUate opens (you will be emailed a link).

In previous versions of this unit, students have told us that these aspects of the Unit have helped them to achieve the
learning outcomes:

● Providing students with the opportunity to resubmit their work if they fail an assessment
● Providing students with a fast turn-around time for feedback on assessments

They have also made suggestions for improvement, and so this is what we have done:

● We are focussing more teaching time/resources on some of the earlier learning objectives in the unit (students indicated
that these earlier objectives were more challenging than they had expected)
● We are reducing feedback turn-around times further using an online marking/return process

If you have any concerns about the Unit during the trimester, please contact the unit teaching team - preferably early in the
trimester - so we can discuss your concerns, and make adjustments, if appropriate.

Your course and Deakin's Graduate Learning Outcomes

GLO1 Discipline knowledge appropriate to the level of study related to a discipline or profession
and capabilities:
GLO2 Communication: using oral, written and interpersonal communication to inform, motivate and effect change
GLO3 Digital literacy: using technologies to find, use and disseminate information
GLO4 Critical thinking: evaluating information using critical and analytical thinking and judgment
GLO5 Problem solving: creating solutions to authentic (real world and ill-defined) problems
GLO6 Self-management: working and learning independently, and taking responsibility for personal actions
GLO7 Teamwork: working and learning with others from different disciplines and backgrounds
GLO8 Global citizenship: engaging ethically and productively in the professional context and with diverse
communities and cultures in a global context

Each Deakin course has course learning outcomes which explain what the Deakin Learning Outcomes mean in your
discipline. Learning in each unit builds towards the course learning outcomes.

Your Unit Learning Outcomes

Each Unit in your course is a building block towards these Graduate Learning Outcomes - not all Units develop and assess
every Graduate Learning Outcome (GLO).

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 Deakin University, Faculty of Health
HPS104 Foundations of Psychological Science - Trimester 1, 2018

These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this Unit Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this Unit, successful students can:
ULO1 Explain psychological phenomena: Describe the empirical and logical bases of GLO1 Discipline-specific knowledge
psychological science GL02 Communication
GL04 Critical thinking
GLO5 Problem solving
GL06 Self-management
ULO2 Test the validity of psychological explanations: Formulate a research question GL01 Discipline-specific knowledge
and select an appropriate research design. GL02 Communication
GLO5 Problem solving
GLO6 Self-management
ULO3 Conduct research into psychological phenomena: Implement a research GL01 Discipline-specific knowledge
design in a manner that is valid, ethical and feasible. GL02 Communication
GL04 Critical thinking
GLO6 Self-management
GLO8 Global citizenship
ULO4 Understand the results of psychological research: Describe and interpret the GL01 Discipline-specific knowledge
results of an empirical investigation into a psychological phenomenon. GLO2 Communication
GL04 Critical thinking
GLO5 Problem solving
GLO6 Self-management

ASSESSING YOUR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Overview

In brief, these are the assessment tasks for this Unit (details below):

Assessment task 1: Experimental Research Designs (500 words) 10%

Assessment task 2: Observational Research Designs (500 words) 10%
Assessment task 3: Design Implementation (750 words) (20%)
Assessment task 4: Plain Language Statement (500 words) 10%
Assessment task 5: Examination (2 hours) 50%

Summative assessments

(tasks that will be graded or marked)

NOTE: It is your responsibility to keep a backup copy of every assignment where it is possible (eg written/digital reports,
essays, videos, images). In the unusual event that one of your assignments is misplaced, you will need to submit the backup
copy. Any work you submit may be checked by electronic or other means for the purposes of detecting collusion and/or
plagiarism.

When you are required to submit an assignment through the unit site, you should receive an email to your Deakin email
address confirming that it has been submitted. You should check that you can see your assignment in the Submissions view
of the Assignment folder after upload, and check for, and keep, the email receipt for the submission.

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 Deakin University, Faculty of Health
HPS104 Foundations of Psychological Science - Trimester 1, 2018

- Summative assessment task 1

Experimental research designs

Brief description of assessment task Students will be devise an experimental research design that addresses a
research question.
Detail of student output Short answer questions (approximately 500 words).
Grading and weighting 10%
(% total mark for unit)
This task assesses your achievement of ULO1, ULO2: These outcomes are attained given the specific requirements for
these Unit Learning Outcome(s): this assessment and as a function of the nature of the seminars.
This task assesses your achievement of GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
these Graduate Learning Outcome(s): GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO6: Self-management.
How and when you will receive feedback Students will receive feedback within a few days of the submission deadline.
on your work Students who fail to achieve the task will be allowed to rework and resubmit
for a maximum mark of 6/10.
When and how to submit your work Week 7 - Monday 23 April, 2017, 12pm (noon). Submitted via Dropbox AND
via weblink (provided to students via Cloud).

- Summative assessment task 2

Observational research designs

Brief description of assessment task Students will be devise an observational research design that addresses a
research question.
Detail of student output Short answer questions (approximately 500 words).
Grading and weighting 10%
(% total mark for unit)
This task assesses your achievement of ULO1, ULO2: These outcomes are attained given the specific requirements for
these Unit Learning Outcome(s): this assessment and as a function of the nature of the seminars.
This task assesses your achievement of GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
these Graduate Learning Outcome(s): GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO6: Self-management
How and when you will receive feedback Students will receive feedback within a few days of the submission deadline.
on your work Students who fail to achieve the task will be allowed to rework and resubmit
for a maximum mark of 6/10.
When and how to submit your work Week 9 - Monday 7 May, 2018, 12pm (noon). Submitted via Dropbox AND via
weblink (provided to students via Cloud).

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 Deakin University, Faculty of Health
HPS104 Foundations of Psychological Science - Trimester 1, 2018

- Summative assessment task 3

Design implementation (design your own study)

Brief description of assessment task Students will be devise a research design (of their choice) that addresses a
research question.
Detail of student output Short answer questions (approximately 750 words).
Grading and weighting 20%
(% total mark for unit)
This task assesses your achievement of ULO2, ULO3 and ULO4: These outcomes are attained given the specific
these Unit Learning Outcome(s): requirements for this assessment and as a function of the nature of the
seminars
This task assesses your achievement of
these Graduate Learning Outcome(s): GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO6: Self-management
How and when you will receive feedback Students will receive feedback within a few days of the submission deadline.
on your work Students who fail to achieve the task will be allowed to rework and resubmit
for a maximum mark of 12/20.
When and how to submit your work Week 12 - Monday 28 May, 2018, 12pm (noon). Submitted via Dropbox AND
via weblink (provided to students via Cloud).

- Summative assessment task 4

Plain Language Statement

Brief description of assessment task Students will analyse the ethical risks versus benefits of the study they devised in
Assignment 3 (Part C) and construct a plain language statement (PLS) that
operationalises this analysis in a way that is clear, relevant, and accessible to
prospective participants in their study.
Detail of student output A plain language statement (approximately 500 words) that is clear, relevant, and
accessible to prospective participants in their study.
Grading and weighting 10%
(% total mark for unit)
This task assesses your achievement ULO3: This will be achieved by the type of questions asked in the examination.
of these Unit Learning Outcome(s):
This task assesses your achievement GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
of these Graduate Learning GLO4: Critical thinking
Outcome(s) GLO5: Problem solving
GLO6: Self-management
GLO8: Global citizenship
How and when you will receive Students will receive feedback within a few days of the submission deadline.
feedback on your work Students who fail to achieve the task will be allowed to rework and resubmit for a
maximum mark of 6/10.
When and how to submit your work Week 12 - Monday 28 May, 2018, 12pm (noon). Submitted via Dropbox only.

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 Deakin University, Faculty of Health
HPS104 Foundations of Psychological Science - Trimester 1, 2018

- Summative assessment task 5

Examination
Brief description of assessment task 2 hour closed book examination in two parts
Detail of student output Part A: 40x Knowledge questions (30%)
Part B: 10x Evaluation questions (20%)
Grading and weighting 50%
(% total mark for unit)
This task assesses your achievement of these ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, and ULO4: This will be achieved by the type of
Unit Learning Outcome(s) questions asked in the examination.
This task assesses your achievement of these GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
Graduate Learning Outcome(s) GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO6: Self-management
GLO8: Global citizenship
How and when you will receive feedback on Students will be provided with weekly in-Class practice questions and
your work the opportunity to ask questions about the exam and exam preparation
on a dedicated CloudDeakin discussion board.
When and how to submit your work Examination to be undertaken during University examination period.

Your learning experiences in this Unit - and your expected commitment

To be successful in this unit, you must:

● Read all materials in preparation for your classes or seminars, and follow up each with further study and research on the
topic;
● Start your assessment tasks well ahead of the due date;
● Read or listen to all feedback carefully, and use it in your future work;
● Attend and engage in all timetabled learning experiences.

Contact Hours

Burwood and Waurn Ponds: Weekly 1 x 2 hour class; online interactive modules; 1 x 2 hour seminar per fortnight.
Warrnambool: Weekly 1 x 2 hour recorded class; online interactive modules; 1 x 2 hour cloud (online) seminar per fortnight;
weekly consultation via the Psychology Hub at Warrnambool.
Cloud (online): Weekly 1 x 2 hour recorded class; online interactive modules; 1 x 2 hour cloud (online) seminar per fortnight.

All students are expected to allocate approximately 10 hours per week to HPS104 study. This will consist of a weekly 1x 2-
hour class (in T1 classes are offered face-to-face and online; in T2 and T3 classes are offered only online), a fortnightly 1x 2-
hour seminar (in T1 these are offered face-to-face and online; in T2 and T3 these are offered only online), plus approximately
7 hours per week of individual study (e.g. assignments, prescribed readings, and other course related work).

Weekly classes will be provided in face-to-face and Cloud (online) mode; topic learning objectives will be made available as
discrete recordings on CloudDeakin; fortnightly seminars will be provided in face-to-face and Cloud (online) mode (the latter
will be recorded and uploaded to CloudDeakin for students who cannot attend).

Assignment support will be provided via CloudDeakin Discussion and in seminars, with students able to seek
advice/feedback/mentoring from their tutor using a unit-specific email address.

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 Deakin University, Faculty of Health
HPS104 Foundations of Psychological Science - Trimester 1, 2018

Examination preparation will be supported by quiz questions integrated in weekly classes and weekly recorded learning
objectives.

Note

At Deakin,

● Lectures are referred to as classes (definition: a general meeting for all students, for which students do not need to
register and where students are engaged through presentations and learning activities)
● Tutorials, workshops and seminars are referred to as seminars (definition: more interactive meetings for smaller groups
of students).
● For the complete list of agreed definitions for learning experiences, see the Course Design and Delivery Procedure.

UNIT LEARNING RESOURCES

Your unit learning resources are available in your unit site accessed in DeakinSync.

Essential learning resources

There are no essential learning resources, although numerous recommended resources are available.

Recommended learning resources

Pelham, B. W., & Blanton, H. (2013). Conducting research in psychology: Measuring the weight of smoke. Australia:
Wadsworth Cengage.

The presentation slides accompanying each weekly topic will also contain examinable material - these will be provided online
via CloudDeakin.

Several weekly topics will also have additional resources in the form of readings - these will be provided online via
CloudDeakin.

KEY DATES FOR THIS TRIMESTER

Trimester begins (classes begin) Monday 5 March 2018

Intra-trimester break (a short break during trimester) Friday 30 March - Sunday 8 April 2018
Trimester ends (classes cease) Friday 25 May 2018
Study period (examination preparation period) Monday 28 May - Friday 1 June 2018
Examinations begin Monday 4 June 2018
Examinations end Friday 15 June 2018
Inter-trimester break (the period between trimesters) Monday 18 June - Friday 6 July 2018
Unit results released Thursday 5 July 2018 (6pm)

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 Deakin University, Faculty of Health
HPS104 Foundations of Psychological Science - Trimester 1, 2018

UNIT WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

Week Commencing Topic Special learning activities Assessment activity

1 5 March 2018 ULO1/ Topic 1.1: No seminars in week 1
Evidence in Psychology
2 12 March ULO1/ Topic 1.2: Seminar 1 (evens) - Introduction to
The scientific method of deriving and the unit
testing explanations
3 19 March ULO1/ Topic 1.3: Seminar 1 (odds) - Introduction to
Threats to the validity of explanations the unit
of psychological phenomena
4^ 26 March ULO2/ Topic 2.1: Seminar 2 (evens) - Assignment Part
Overview of research designs A
5 9 April ULO2/Topic 2.2: Seminar 2 (odds) - Assignment Part
Experimental research designs A
6 16 April ULO2/Topic 2.3: Seminar 3 (evens) - Assignment Part
Observational research designs B
7* 23 April ULO2/Topic 2.4: Seminar 3 (odds) - Assignment Part Submit Assignment
Qualitative research designs B Part A by 12pm
(noon) Monday
8 30 April ULO3/Topic 3.1: Seminar 4 (evens) - Assignment
Conducting ethical research Parts C and D
9 7 May ULO3/Topic 3.2: Seminar 4 (odds) - Assignment Parts Submit Assignment
Asking questions in a manner that is C and D Part B by 12pm
reliable, valid, and appropriate (noon) Monday
10 14 May ULO4/Topic 4.1: Seminar 5 (evens) - Factorial designs
Factorial designs, data structures and
effect types
11 22 May ULO4/Topic 4.2: Seminar 5 (odds) - Factorial designs #Assignment Parts C
Introduction to descriptive and and D
inferential statistics
# Submit Assignment Parts C and D by Monday 12pm (noon) of week 12
^ Intra-trimester break: Friday 30 March - Sunday 8 April 2018 (between weeks 4 and 5)
*ANZAC Day observed, Wednesday 25 April - University closed

12 February 2018 Page 9 of 9