Evidence-Based Assessment and Intervention (EBAI) provides an introductory understanding of evidence-based practice in psychology. The course begins with a critical review of the history of clinical psychology, the scientist-practitioner model, and influences on contemporary psychological practice. The course then discusses key approaches to psychological assessment and therapy that are foundational to evidence-based psychological practice.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Understand and critically examine the foundations of the scientist-practitioner model and the contemporary application and challenges of evidence-based psychological practice.
2. Apply interpersonal communication and interview skills in situations appropriate to psychological practice.
3. Understand basic assessment strategies in situations appropriate to psychological practice.
4. Understand the psychometric theory and principles of the construction, cultural considerations, implementation and interpretation of some of the more widely used standardised psychological test instruments.
5. Critically examine the theoretical, empirical and practical considerations underpinning evidence-based approaches to psychological therapy.

Research-Led Teaching

Research-led teaching is embedded throughout Evidence-Based Assessment and Intervention (EBAI) through its emphasis on empirical evidence, critical analysis, and evidence-based practice. Through the study of psychometric theory, psychological assessment, evidence-based interventions, and interpersonal communication skills, students develop an understanding of how research informs psychological practice. The course equips students to critically evaluate evidence and apply research-informed approaches to psychological assessment and intervention.

Field Trips

NA

Additional Course Costs

NA

Examination Material or equipment

NA

Required Resources

There are no required textbooks for this course.   

Required reading (i.e., readings which will be assessed in the weekly quizzes), and recommended reading will be posted on Canvas.  

Recommended Resources

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
• 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). 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.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Weeks 1(3-hour Workshop) and 2 (3-hour Tutorial): Foundations of Evidence-Based Psychological Practice.	1, 2, 3
2	Weeks 3 (3-hour Workshop) and 4 (3-hour Tutorial): Culturally Appropriate Psychological Practice	1, 2, 3
3	Weeks 5 (3-hour Workshop) and 6 (3-hour Tutorial): Applied Psychometrics and Psychological Assessment	1, 2, 3
4	Weeks 7 (3-hour Workshop) and 8 (3-hour Tutorial): Introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) – Behavioural approaches	1, 2, 3
5	Weeks 9 (3-hour Workshop) and 10 (3-hour Tutorial): Introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) – Cognitive approaches	1, 2, 3
6	Weeks 11 (3-hour Workshop) and 12 (3-hour Tutorial): Skills in Psychological Interviewing and Counselling	1, 2, 3

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Quizzes	30 %	*	1,3,5
Tutorial Portfolio	30 %	06/11/2026	1,2,3,4,5
Service Proposal Report	40 %	28/10/2026	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 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 ‘Canvas’ 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

The University has returned to on-campus only delivery for in-person courses.

Students are expected to attend lectures and workshops, and to contribute to discussions. In addition to lectures and workshops, attendance and participation in laboratory/practical classes is crucial for successful completion of your course. The School of Medicine and Psychology considers the laboratory/practical components to be an integral part of each course. Laboratory/practical classes may supplement and consolidate material covered in lectures and/or they may introduce entirely new material pertinent to the objectives of the course.

The expected workload will consist of approximately 260 hours throughout the semester including:

• Face-to face component which may consist of 6 x 3 hours lectures per semester (18 total hours). 6 x 3 hours of tutorials/workshops/labs throughout the semester (18 hours).
• Approximately 224 hours of self-study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks.

Examination(s)

NA

Assessment Task 1

Quizzes

Assessment Rationale for Quizzes (5% x 6 weeks)

The open-book quizzes cover the set readings for the week and the workshop content. The purpose of the quizzes is to consolidate student learning across the weekly readings and workshop content. To perform well on this task, students will need to demonstrate a critical understanding of reading and workshop content (through their responses to multiple-choice questions).

Value: 30%

Due Date: Quizzes will be available after each week’s workshop and must be completed before Tuesday 11:55pm (AEST) of each subsequent teaching week.

Assessment Task 2

Tutorial Portfolio

Assessment Rationale for Tutorial Portfolio (5% x 6 weeks)

Each week’s tutorial includes a key activity, such as practicing core skills in psychological assessment, interviewing and intervention. Students need to write up their notes/plan/observations (as directed by their tutor) each week and compile these notes into one document and submit them as a portfolio. The tutorial portfolio activities assess knowledge and application of different course content areas each week. To do well on this assessment task, students need to:

(1) Demonstrate an understanding of the rationale for the skill or activity that they are practicing in the tutorial (e.g., reasons why exposure therapy may be important for the reduction of fear) (2) Demonstrate an understanding of the tutorial group discussions following the tutorial activity by responding to brief question prompts provided by the tutor (e.g., When might the approach best be used? What are some important considerations when applying the task?).

Further information about the assessment task will be provided on Canvas.

Value: 30%

Due Date: Friday 6th November 2026 at 11:55pm (AEST) via Canvas.

Assessment Task 3

Service Proposal Report

Assessment Rationale for Intervention Program Proposal

This assessment task allows students to integrate their learning across the workshop content and required readings, by asking them to prepare an oral proposal for an intervention program. This task not only draws on students’ knowledge of evidence-based practice and intervention approaches and on the ways in which interventions may need to be modified for diverse client populations, but it also requires students to communicate persuasively and succinctly for a non-technical audience.

Further information about the assessment task will be provided on Canvas. 

Value: 40%

Due Date: Wednesday 28th October 2026.

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

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

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• 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

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 that have been submitted on time will be marked and available to download from the Turnitin link on Wattle, approximately three weeks after the due date. The exact return date will be posted on Wattle.

Late assignments (even those with formal extensions) will not be marked within this timeframe; our priority will be to mark the assignments that were handed in on time. We will aim to get the late assignments back before the end of semester. Marking of the late assignments will commence once all on-time assignments have been marked and returned.

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

Resubmission of assignments is not permitted.

Re-marking Policy for Coursework

From the time your assignment mark is available on Canvas, you have 10 working days in which to request a Stage 1 re-mark.

1. If you have any questions about the assessment of a submitted piece of work, or wish to have some of the comments clarified, email your questions to the course functional email account. The address for the course functional email account is available on Canvas.
2. If you think your assignment deserves a higher mark it is your responsibility to outline in writing why, in your opinion, the original mark does not reflect the true worth of the work.  Submit your request and explanation by email to the functional email account.
3. Stage 1- Informal Consideration: If the Course Convener agrees to a remark of your work, and as a result, the mark is altered, and you accept this change, then the Stage 1 procedure ends.
4. Stage 2 – Formal Appeal: If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of Stage 1, you may lodge a formal appeal to be considered by the Associate Dean of the ANU Academic College responsible for the course. For this procedure go to Assessment Appeals | Australian National University
5. The mark awarded by the independent marker for your assessment will become your final mark, regardless of whether, it is higher, lower or the same as your original mark.

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