In this course you will investigate a substantive research question relevant to the discipline of psychology that is agreed with your project supervisor and approved by the program convener.

You will develop and write up the research individually and will collect data collaboratively and participate in group supervision. You will be required to conceptualise the project within an intellectual framework and to communicate it clearly to others, using standard psychological style and presentation.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Plan and execute a substantive research project, drawing on relevant theory and research.
2. Demonstrate sufficient mastery to investigate the question critically and ethically, using appropriate methods.
3. Analyse and interpret the findings using statistics or other evaluative processes.
4. Communicate the research and its findings clearly and appropriately.

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.

The research project provides students with experience in designing, implementing, and writing up a research project. It fosters skills in working collaboratively as a team, and in undertaking and evaluating research.

Field Trips

NA

Additional Course Costs

NA

Required Resources

Students will be provided with recommended readings as appropriate to their research project.

Recommended Resources

Supervisors will provide students with recommended readings and texts to support their research project. It is recommended all students have access to the Publication Manual of American Psychological Association (7th Edition)

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

Students must be available to present as part of their team for the two oral presentations undertaken as part of the research project. If there are exceptional circumstances and a student is unable to present on the day of a scheduled oral presentation (either the Group Research Proposal Presentation or the Research Presentation at the Research Forum) but meets criteria for an extension, an alternative date will be scheduled for the student to complete their component of the presentation. However, their team will still be required to present at the scheduled session.

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.

In addition to student feedback provided through ANU Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELTS) 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.

AI Policy

AI guidelines will be in line with the MPP policy, and discussed at orientation. Your supervisors will also take you through the AI expectations regarding the project.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Overview:PSYC8412 Professional Psychology Research Project course is taken as a variable unit course over two consecutive semesters. Students enrol in PSYC8412 (6 units) in their first semester of enrolment and PSYC8412 (12 units) in their second semester of enrolment. For every 6 units of enrolment, the expectation is that the student would work a minimum of 10-12 hours/week over the course of the semester. A student enrolling in this course for the first time in Semester 1 is expected to submit their research project report in Semester 2 of the same year. Group Research Supervision Meetings commence in Week One and are ongoing throughout Semester 1 and Semester 2.	Students will meet regularly with their research team, including their supervisor, throughout the year. A schedule will be agreed at the beginning of Semester 1 and will be amended in accordance with project demands throughout its duration.
2	Completion of Research Integrity Training	Students to access this via Wattle and provide proof of completion
3	Research Proposal Presentation	Group Research Proposal Presentation (hurdle) due 15/4/2024 11am - 1pm, PSYC150
4	Research Project Report Submission	Research Project Report (100%) due 23/10/2025 11:59pm
5	Group Research Presentation	Each group will present a research presentation at the Research Forum (typically scheduled in November each year)

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	Learning Outcomes
Group Research Proposal Presentation (hurdle)	0 %	1,2,3,4
Research Project Report (100%)	100 %	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

Students are expected to contribute to all aspects of the research project, including attending and preparing for all group research supervision meetings. Students will not be provided with individual research supervision, with the exception of the provision of feedback on independently-written components of the report. A schedule of group supervision will be agreed at the commencement of Semester 1. Detailed information about the research project and report, including supervisor and student responsibilities, will be available on Wattle. Students also complete research integrity training, and each research team will also present at the Clinical Forum which is scheduled in November each year (date, time and location will be confirmed later in the year). All students enrolled in the course will also meet as one group throughout the year to discuss progress across projects, seek feedback from students, and resolve any issues or concerns.

Examination(s)

Not applicable.

Assessment Task 1

Group Research Proposal Presentation (hurdle)

Each research team will provide up to a 30 minute presentation (20 minute presentation, 10 minutes Q&A) in Semester 1 in order to gain feedback on their research project from peers (e.g., other students in the Master of Professional Psychology program), supervisors, and staff. Each group will receive feedback about whether the course requirements have been satisfied, and the aim is for students to demonstrate their knowledge of the research topic being investigated and gain feedback on study design to enhance the project.

 

Teams should include information on project background, research aims, proposed methodology, ethical or other considerations, data analysis plans, timelines and references. Powerpoint slides should accompany the presentation and be submitted by 9:00am, April 14 (one day before presentation) via Wattle. Detailed information about the assessment task and a marking guide will be available on Wattle.

Assessment Task 2

Research Project Report (100%)

Students will each submit a research project report in the form of a manuscript of 6000 words. Each student will write an abstract, introduction and discussion, and each team will write a method and results section for inclusion in each student's submission. Supervisors will provide feedback to students on all parts of the research project except the discussion. Detailed assessment information and a marking guide will be provided on Wattle.

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/s. 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

Not applicable.

Late Submission

• Late submission not permitted for Research Proposal Presentation. Late submission of research project proposal without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded. 
• Late submission is permitted for Research Project Report. Late submission of research project report without an extension is 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.

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

Failure to submit a research report 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 50% will be awarded for the task. The need to re-submit the same report 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.

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 Access 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 all ANU students