Introduction to Research Methods
36 hours + Blended
One Semester or equivalent
Hawthorn, Online
Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
Overview
This unit provides students with an understanding of different research designs and research methods for psychology and health sciences. Students will gain familiarity with the scientific method, ethical issues in research, measurement, experimental research, survey research, qualitative research and mixed methods research. Students will be given the opportunity to develop professionally relevant knowledge in the selection and evaluation of research designs and methods and how to collect data that will address specific research questions.
Requisites
Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
29-July-2024
27-October-2024
27-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
11-August-2024
Census date
31-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-September-2024
Results released date
03-December-2024
Teaching Period 3
Location
Online
Start and end dates
04-November-2024
09-February-2025
09-February-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-November-2024
Census date
29-November-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
27-December-2024
Results released date
04-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Define the scientific method and scientific thinking principles
- Apply knowledge of ethical issues in research
- Describe the main concepts of measurement and various sampling methods
- Explain the general concept of an experiment and a quasi-experiment and outline uses of these designs in research
- Contrast a range of research designs and methods and be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each method
- Select appropriate research designs and research methods to address hypothetical and real world problems
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Lecture | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Tutorial | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Specified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Various | 4.00 | 12 weeks | 48 |
| Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Independent Learning | 5.50 | 12 weeks | 66 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Swinburne Online
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Online Class | 1.00 | 6 weeks | 6 |
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 12.00 | 12 weeks | 144 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Individual | 40% | 1,2,3,4,5 |
| Assignment 1 | Individual | 25% | 3,4,5 |
| Assignment 2 | Individual | 35% | 2,3,4,5,6 |
Content
- Scientific Method
- Research Approaches and Data Collection Methods
- Measurement and Sampling
- Ethical Issues in Research
- Experiments and experimental designs
- Quasi-experiments and non-experiments
- Survey research
- Qualitative and Mixed Methods research
- Analysing and Interpreting Data
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.