512-320 Research Methods 3

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

512-220 (or equivalent).

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject extends the discussion of quantitative aspects of psychology in two major respects: first, by presenting a detailed account of the theory and practice of psychological testing; and, second, by elaborating more complex research designs and methods for their analysis. The subject comprises two units:

Psychological Measurement

Covers the theory and practice of psychological testing. It aims to provide basic knowledge of testing in a variety of contexts of psychological assessment, for example, in clinical, educational, neuropsychological and organisational settings. Aspects of testing include: test administration; use of norms; the interpretation of test scores; evaluating test reliability and validity; test evaluation; the construction of tests; theories of test scores.

Design and Analysis

Aims to allow students to acquire design and analysis skills that are required to undertake psychological research studies of realistic complexity. Topics include: multifactorial design strategies; general (mixed model) analysis of variance; planned and post hoc comparisons; the analysis of trend; follow-up strategies in the analysis of designed experiments, including interaction comparisons and the analysis of simple effects; statistical power and effect size; quasi-experimental designs; the analysis of covariance; an introduction to multiple regression.

Assessment

2 x 90 minute examinations (one for each unit).