The psychology honours specialisation is intended for students who have successfully completed an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited undergraduate sequence in psychology, and are interested in undertaking an independent psychological research. The honours specialisation is usually taken full time for two consecutive semesters and includes research training, in-depth analysis of current concepts in psychology as well as a substantial research project culminating in the production of a thesis. Honours is a solid foundation in the basics of research and can be an entry into many careers both within and outside of psychology, and a pathway to the profession of clinical psychology.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Plan and engage in an independent and sustained critical investigation of a chosen research topic to
generate new knowledge in psychology.
2. Systematically evaluate relevant theory, concepts and practice in psychology, relate these to appropriate
research and applied methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions.
3. Analyse and interpret original psychological research data with statistical or other evaluative processes
where appropriate.
4. Demonstrate sufficient mastery to understand and apply relevant experimental techniques and methods in
psychology to collect original research data, and understand evidence-based assessment and intervention.
5. Communicate and justify complex concepts and results clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences.

Research-Led Teaching

PSYC4011 is an Honours Year with Psychology Specialisation. A full time load is over 2 semesters. Students undertake a research project under the supervision of an academic from the Research School of Psychology.

Examination Material or equipment

For approved dictionaries in accordance with ANU Policies, please see link  http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/assessment-arrangements-for-students-from-language.

Recommended Resources

The Psychology Honours Guide is available on the RSP Honours page and the PSYC4011 Wattle site.

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop will be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• examination results
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

All activities associated with the course work component of the Psychology Honours year have been adjusted to support remote participation, and face-to-face activities for some of the components may be available.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	The Mid year Honours intake program commences on 26th July 2021. The standard pattern of enrolment for a full-time student is 24 units x 2 consecutive semesters.	This summary provides a general information for a student enrolling in this course for the first time. The date ranges provided are a general indication only for a student commencing Honours in Semester 2 and submitting their research project in Semester 1 of the following year. Where a student is enrolling in this course over three (or more) consecutive semesters, the final thesis due dates align with the College submissions dates for the last semester of expected enrolment and can be confirmed with the Science College Student Administration Office (science.enquiries@anu.edu.au)
2	The focus of Honours is to complete a research project (thesis) and coursework. The research project is undertaken throughout two semesters, starting in Semester 2, 2021 and finishing in Semester 1, 2022. The coursework components are undertaken in Semester 2, 2021 (Evidence-Based Assessment & Intervention) and in Semester 1, 2022 (Theory in Psychology and Psychological Research Methods & Statistics). There will be milestones to complete during the year.	On the PSYC4011 Wattle site you will find the 'Honours in Psychology: Program Guide 2021', with full details regarding milestones Thesis Submission date: 26 May 2022

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Theory in Psychology (16 2/3%)	17 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,5
Psychological Research Methods & Statistics (16 2/3%)	17 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,5
Evidence-Based Assessment and Intervention (16 2/3%)	16 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,5
Research Thesis (50%)	50 %	26/05/2022	30/06/2022	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Examination(s)

Please note that some of the coursework components will have exams. Please check the PSYC4011 Wattle and the ANU Examination Timetable for details.

Assessment Task 1

Theory in Psychology (16 2/3%)

Concepts Paper (2,000 Words) - 45% - Proposed Due date: Wednesday, 11 May at 4:00 pm. For this assignment, you must develop a set of concepts about human behaviour, make assumptions using these concepts, derive one or more hypotheses from these concepts, and derive operationalizations of these concepts to allow you to test your hypothesis/es. You are NOT allowed to use concepts from your honours research. The concepts, assumptions, and hypotheses do NOT have to be supported by empirical evidence (i.e., you do not have to be right), so providing a review of published literature will NOT improve your mark for this assignment. The key to this assignment is your ability to work in a clear and logical manner. The maximum word-count is 2,000. A detailed marking rubric will be provided on the PSYC4011 Wattle site outlining the assessment criteria.

 

• Exam (Short Answer) - 55% - Exam Period (TBA)

Assessment Task 2

Psychological Research Methods & Statistics (16 2/3%)

An exam, worth 48% of the marks in this unit, to be held mid-term (Date and Time TBA). The topics and types of questions will be announced ahead of time. Examinable material includes the readings, lectures, and handouts.

One assignment, worth 48% and involving the analysis and interpretation of a data-set using appropriate multivariate techniques. This assignment is due in Week 14 (Date and Time TBA).

• Viewing the online lectures and completing the online quizzes during the lectures for 4 of the Block B modules, worth 4% (1% per module). The quizzes themselves are ungraded.

Assessment Task 3

Evidence-Based Assessment and Intervention (16 2/3%)

• Details are available on the PSYC4011 Wattle site.

Assessment Task 4

Research Thesis (50%)

The major part of the project report will take the form of a scientific research paper, consisting of Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion and References.

The research project assessment criteria will include:

• Logic, rigour, accuracy
• Internal consistency: the extent to which ideas are presented consistently and with clear progression from research questions through to conclusions
• The use of information and/or evidence to sustain the argument: how and to what degree the information sourced from authorities in a field or from data collected is integrated and used to sustain the argument; clarity and accuracy in presenting data
• Demonstration of analytical and critical judgment: the extent of reflective assessment and appraisal of strengths and limitations of previous work and/or own work
• Quality of conclusions: clear statement of the meaning and relevance of findings presented through linkage to other research, potential of findings to contribute to the field and identification of further work required to confirm or extend conclusions.

The thesis submission date is 26 May 2022. Please see the 'Honours in Psychology: Program Guide 2021' for further details

The date ranges used in the Assessment Summary are indicative and will vary if the project is completed in accordance with a full-time load (48 units over 2 consecutive semesters of enrolment) or part-time (48 units take over 3 or more semesters).

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission permitted:

• Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof.
• Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item.
• Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Please check the PSYC4011 Wattle site for further details.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Please check the PSYC4011 Wattle site for further details.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students