The aim of this course is to develop your ability to apply the scientist-practitioner model in professional practice, using skills in research and professional self-reflection.

In the first part of the course, you will learn about evaluating the effectiveness of your professional practice, identifying areas for improvement and implementing changes where needed.

You will then complete a capstone project that addresses a question related to a particular area of your professional practice. The topic will be agreed with the course co-ordinator and where practicable, will relate to an aspect of your simulated learning or placement experience.

The project will involve the application of research evidence to practice, or the generation of practice-based evidence. You will reflect on the implications of your findings for your practice and professional development planning.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Critically analyse the application of theory and research to professional practice.
2. Demonstrate effective use of scientific literature and other sources of evidence to inform their practice.
3. Evaluate their own practice, identify areas for improvement and professional development.
4. Demonstrate the skills to engage in professional self-reflection and peer feedback.

Research-Led Teaching

All lecturers will make use of evidence drawn from relevant disciplinary research to benefit student learning and outcomes. Some may share their own research findings with students. This will provide students with special insights into the specific topics discussed. Having access to lecturers who are also key leaders in the field may mean that the listed lecture sequence, that is, the lecture topics may change to another week in order to accommodate access to these experts.

Field Trips

Nil.

Additional Course Costs

Nil.

Examination Material or equipment

Nil.

Required Resources

Required readings and other resources will be listed or uploaded on WATTLE throughout the course. These will be provided for each session (lectures and tutorials).

Recommended Resources

Students will be provided with required readings for each week of the course. Students will be informed of readings for relevant lectures prior to the scheduled lecture.

The primary text for this unit will be: Cooper, M. (2008). Essential research findings in counselling and psychotherapy: The facts are friendly. Sage.

Readings will include chapters from the assigned text, or where journal articles or chapters from other sources are required readings, they will be made available through the course wattle site.

Recommended student system requirements 

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos 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/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment. ANU outlines Recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

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

• Written comments on assignments.
• Verbal comments.
• Feedback to the whole class.
• To groups; and
• To individuals.

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Referencing Requirements

Psychology uses the referencing style endorsed by the American Psychological Association:

American Psychological Association. (2019). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Student feedback to staff:

In addition to student feedback provided through ANU Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys, students may also be invited to provide course-specific feedback through a feedback survey developed by the lecturers within the Master of Professional Psychology program.

Students will also complete a specialised workshop on Psychopharmacology while undertaking their Master of Professional Psychology program, which is scheduled separately to this course and will supplement content provided in PSYC8421.

In-class teaching: 

This course is part of the Master of Professional Psychology Program, which will introduce you to major evidence-based psychological interventions for a range of psychological disorders, the theory and research that underpins these interventions and the ethical frameworks that guide their implementation. Coursework for this program focuses, in large part, on psychological skill development, which requires in-person demonstration, observation and practice, especially through the use of role playing and simulating clients. As a result, in-person delivery is essential to meet the learning goals in this professional training program.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Lecture: What is evidence?	Lecture of 2.5 hr duration and drop-in session of .5 hr duration.
2	Lecture: Evaluating quantitative research findings (part 1)	Lecture of 2.5 hr duration and drop-in session of .5 hr duration
3	Lecture: Evaluating quantitative research findings (part 2) and Lecture: Evaluating qualitative research findings (part1).	Lectures of up to 2.5 hr duration and drop-in session of .5 hr duration.
4	Lecture: Evaluating qualitative research findings (part 2) and Lecture: Critical thinking in evidence-based practice (part 1).	Lectures of up to 2.5 hr duration and drop-in session of .5 hr duration
5	Lecture: Critical thinking in evidence-based practice (part 2).	Lecture up to 2 hr duration and drop in session of 1 hr duration.
6	Drop in session.	A drop in session is available to discuss questions emerging in the development of the capstone project. One hour duration.

Tutorial Registration

The Master of Professional Psychology Program utilises wattle to enable students to view their timetable for their enrolled courses.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Professional Development Plan (hurdle)	0 %	06/09/2024	2,3,4
Capstone Project (100%)	100 %	25/10/2024	1,2,3,4

* 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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Skills website. 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.

Participation

This course is part of the Master of Professional Psychology Program, which requires in-person contact for all coursework. Coursework for this program focuses, in large part, on psychological knowledge and skill development, which requires in-person demonstration, observation, and practice, especially through the use of role-playing and simulating clients. As a result, in-person delivery is essential to meet the learning goals in this professional training program.

Optional drop-in tutorial sessions will be offered to assist students in developing the capstone project following four of the lectures (.5hr - 1hr long) followed by a one hour-long drop-in session in the last week of the course.

Examination(s)

Nil.

Assessment Task 1

Professional Development Plan (hurdle)

A professional development plan will be developed throughout the unit detailing a proposed course of continued professional development post-study. This professional development plan will meet requirements set by AHPRA and the PsyBA with regards to the types of continued professional development required to further the students development once they have become fully registered. Additionally this plan will factor in the student's unique learning preferences and areas of interest. Detailed information on assignment requirements and a marking rubric will be made available on the course Wattle site.

Assessment Task 2

Capstone Project (100%)

The written report provides an opportunity for students to critically engage with empirical evidence for interventions utilised in professional psychology, develop an in-depth understanding of evidence-based CBT protocols, process/outcome research, as well as quantitative and qualitative research evidence relevant to clinical practice.

The capstone project is a 5000 word case-study based report which critically analyses evidence-based research literature with reference to the treatment of a simulated client. The capstone project extends a previously considered case-study through the application of additional knowledge and skills developed throughout the unit to justify treatment decisions with reference to relevant literature. Detailed information on assignment requirements and a marking rubric will be made available on the course Wattle site.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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

Hardcopy submission is not utilised in this course.

Late Submission

No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Late submission of graded assessment tasks (Capstone Project) without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of graded 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.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Assignments are required to be submitted electronically via the Turnitin link attached to the Wattle site and will be returned approximately two to three weeks after the submission date.

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

Grading in the Master of Professional Psychology program reflects achievement of competencies as appropriate to developmental level. As such, students will be provided with grades indicating that competency has been met (Course Requirement Satisfied: CRS) or not met (Fail).

Failure to submit an assignment of a high standard which meets requirements for a passing grade (50%) will result in a student receiving feedback on the area/s requiring remediation and one opportunity for resubmission of the assignment to address these issues. This opportunity is provided only in circumstances where a genuine attempt to address the assignment requirements was determined to be made in the first submission. If the resubmission satisfactorily addresses the issues identified, a grade of CRS will be awarded for the task. The need to re-submit the same assignment twice due to inadequate performance will result in overall failure of the assessment piece, and thus the course, which will need to be repeated in a future offering.

Failure of a graded assessment (Capstone Project) will result in one opportunity for resubmission of the assignment to address these issues. This opportunity is provided only in circumstances where a genuine attempt to address the assignment requirements was determined to be made in the first submission.

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 Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students