Program Overview

PSY201 Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology

This subject introduces students to current methodological and statistical techniques used in psychological research. A number of methodological approaches and data collection techniques are examined and evaluated. Students are also introduced to hypothesis testing, a range of common parametric and non-parametric inferential tests, and computer analysis of data.

Subject Outlines

Subject Outlines and assessment tasks are updated each session.

Availability

The subject is available in the following sessions:

• Session 1 (30)
  • On Campus:
    • Bathurst Campus
    • Port Macquarie Campus
    • Wagga Wagga Campus
  • Online:
    • Bathurst Campus
• Session 3 (90)
  • Online:
    • Bathurst Campus

Subject Information

Grading System

The grading system for this subject is HD/FL.

Duration

The duration of this subject is one session.

School

The subject is offered by the School of Psychology.

Assumed Knowledge

The assumed knowledge for this subject is PSY101 and PSY102.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

• demonstrate an understanding of the value of quantitative research
• describe the applications, limitations, strengths, and weaknesses of a range of research methodologies
• select appropriate methodology(ies) for answering research questions
• describe the concepts, principles, and processes involved in developing high-quality research
• describe and apply the ethical principles to be followed in carrying out research in psychology
• select, compute, and interpret selected parametric and non-parametric statistics appropriate to nominated research methods
• use a computer package (e.g., SPSS) to analyse data
• follow the conventions of the American Psychological Association for reporting research

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

• the foundations of research
• introduction to quantitative methods
• sampling
• ethical principles in psychological research
• topics in parametric statistics
• topics in non-parametric statistics
• power, effect size, and confidence intervals
• conventions for report writing in psychology