Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Psychology School
In this course students learn how to critically evaluate empirical journal articles in psychology in terms of the appropriateness of the methods and the soundness of the conclusions. The major topics are the nature of psychological research over the domains of the discipline, the design and conduct of research studies, factors affecting the validity of causal inferences drawn from empirical relationships and finally, techniques to enhance the interpretability of results, and the sensitivity, construct validity and generality of research studies.
This course will hone your skillsﾠ to critically evaluate research in psychology as it appears in the media and in psychology journals. We will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different designs, measurements and possible pitfalls in the analysis and interpretation of the results. In particular, we will learn to identify and distinguish between different confounds, and how to avoid them. In addition, we will identify and resolve difficulties in the sensitivity of measures and other problems that can affect the validity of a study.
Course requirements
Assumed background
You should have a grounding in the various research traditions and theoretical perspectives of basic areas of Psychology, including completion of PSYC3010 Psych Research Methods III.
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
PSYC2010 + NEUR2020 + PSYC2030 + PSYC2040 + PSYC2050+PSYC3010
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
See Learning Activities for a detailed timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The course is designed to provide training in research methodology for students intending to pursue Psychology at honours level or beyond. The goal is to develop skills in the interpretation and evaluation of published empirical research in Psychology.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution | Participation in Tutorials | 20% |
4/08/2025 - 31/10/2025 |
| Quiz |
Quiz with short answer questions on case studies
|
40% |
25/09/2025
The quiz will take place during the lecture time in the specified week |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Assignment - short answer questions on a research paper | 40% |
23/10/2025 5:00 pm
The questions and paper will be provided to students on Thursday the 9th of October. |
Assessment details
Participation in Tutorials
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
4/08/2025 - 31/10/2025
Task description
Tutorials are an important part of the course that will help you apply the concepts introduced in the lectures, and hone your skills of evaluating research. Therefore, it is important that you attend all tutorials. Knowledge of the lecture contents is essential for the tutorials.
For participation in the tutorials, most students can expect to achieve 90 - 100% of the full participation marks if they study the lecture contents, read the papers for the tutorials, regularly attend and make an attempt to respond to questions and complete the exercises. Students can miss up to two tutorials without any penalty. If students miss more than two tutorials they will lose participation marks proportionally for each day they missed.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Quiz with short answer questions on case studies
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
25/09/2025
The quiz will take place during the lecture time in the specified week
Task description
This in-class test will assess your understanding of the contents of the lectures and tutorials. The test consists mainly of short-answer questions regarding the design, results and conclusions of case studies or examples (no prior reading required). This test will be open book, which means that you can use all course materials during the assignment. No other aids are permitted (only the course materials), and each student needs to complete the test entirely on their own.
Prior to the in-class test, everyone will be offered an opportunity to complete a practice test and receive feedback on it, which optimally prepares everyone for this test.
Submission guidelines
Unless otherwise specified during the lecture, this test will be run on Blackboard, no late submissions will be accepted.
For students who do not have an electronic device, there will be a paper version available, which will be collected after time has elapsed.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
For full details please review the School of Psychology Student Guidelines - Extensions and Deferred quiz/exam.
Extensions or deferrals are administered by the admin team.
Late submission
N/A
Assignment - short answer questions on a research paper
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
23/10/2025 5:00 pm
The questions and paper will be provided to students on Thursday the 9th of October.
Task description
This take-home assignment will assess your understanding of the contents of the lectures and tutorials. The test consists mainly of short-answer questions regarding the design, results and conclusions of a paper that you need to read prior to the assignment. This assignment will be open-book, which means that you can use all course materials during the assignment. No other aids are permitted (only the course materials), and each student needs to complete the test entirely on their own.
Prior to the assignment, everyone will be offered an opportunity to complete a practice test and receive feedback on it, which optimally prepares everyone for this assignment.
Submission guidelines
Turnitin via blackboard. NOTE: Please check that your test has been received and download a copy of the digital receipt and keep this as a record.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
For full details please review the School of Psychology Student Guidelines - Extensions and Deferred quiz/exam.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
The late submission penalty applies on each full day that the assignment is late, from >5 minutes late, including on weekends.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29.4 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46.4 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49.4 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.4 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74.4 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84.4 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
For all grades, the standard mathematical rounding principles apply, according to which marks >.5 will be rounded up. For example, 74.5 will be rounded up to 75%; 74.4% will be rounded down to 74%. 0.49 is rounded down to 0 as it's closer to 0 than to 1.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
ﾠ
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Links to all course materials will be provided on the courses' blackboard page.
The quiz will be run as an in-class test in the lecture theatre. You will need an electronic device and access to the internet to complete the quiz online, or you can request a paper copy from the course organiser.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Lecture |
Introduction: Constructs, Operationalisations and Variables I) Introduction: Overview of the Course and how to do well in PSYC3042. II) The Scientific Method: Constructs, Operationalisations and Variables |
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Tutorial |
Constructs and Relationships Constructs, Variables and Operationalisations. Complete exercises on independent and dependent constructs and relations / operationalisations. Exercises can be completed on your own electronic device, a PC supplied in the computer room (if your tutorial is held in a computer room), or you can print out the Student's Handbook section for this week and complete it with a pen. Readings: Read Petty et al. for next Lecture + Tutorials! |
Lecture |
Three Types of Validity Three types of validity: construct validity, internal validity & external validity Includes: Spurious Results, Reverse Causation, Simpson’s Paradox (as threats to internal validity). |
|
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Tutorial |
Validity, Reliability and Replicability Complete exercises on identifying IVs, DVs; examine the operationalisations and variables in a published paper (Petty et al.). |
Lecture |
Basic Designs (within, between, mixed & pre-post) Overview of the different designs and their strengths and weaknesses. Different types of validity, relationships, mediation and moderation. |
|
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Tutorial |
Research Designs Research Designs: Identify the variables and design features of hypothetical studies. Readings: Read Amato for next Lecture and Tutorials |
Lecture |
Interactions Ordinal vs. disordinal interactions and (complex) main effects. Includes also: Floor and Ceiling Effects, Regression to the Mean |
|
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Tutorial |
Predictions and Interactions Derive predictions in case studies; identify designs in case studies and published papers; classify and plot interactions. |
Lecture |
Confounds, Counter-Confounds and Sensitivity Confounds, Counter-Confounds and Sensitivity: Definitions, Floor and Ceiling Effects and Regression to the Mean as Confounds; Prevention and Remedies |
|
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Tutorial |
Confounds and Sensitivity Analyse hypothetical research designs; consider possible confounds and other problems and their effects on interpretation. |
Lecture |
More Confounds, Preventions and Remedies Design-Related Confounds, Prevention and Remedies: Discussion of Person Variable Confounds, Ceiling/Floor Effects and Regression to the Mean. Design-related confounds (PAV IVs, Differential Attrition, History and Maturation Confounds. |
|
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Tutorial |
Discussion of answers to the Practice Test No 1 In-class practice test No. 1 and discussion of answers. (Not marked.) Readings: Re-read Petty et al. & Amato papers for next tutorial |
Lecture |
Design-Related Confounds and Procedural Confounds I) More design-related confounds: Sequencing, and Testing confounds; Observer Criterion Shift. II) Procedural Confounds: Operations Confound. Identifying confounds, prevention and remedies |
|
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Tutorial |
Confounds in Published Research I (Petty, Amato) Analyse potential confounds and interpretational issues in published research (Amato and Petty papers). Readings: Read Liebert & Baron for next week! |
Lecture |
Procedural Confounds Confounds related to specific procedures: Materials and Operations confounds; Observer, Experimenter, and Participant Expectancy effects as confounds. |
|
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Tutorial |
Confounds in Published Research II (Liebert & Baron) Analyse potential confounds and interpretational issues in published research (Liebert & Baron); find rival hypotheses in excerpts of published research. Readings: Read Brandimonte for the next tutorials and re-read Liebert & Baron! |
Lecture |
In-Class Test No 1 Complete the first in-class test. This test will require short answer questions to two case studies. The test will be very similar to the practice test (just on different case studies). |
|
Mid Sem break (29 Sep - 05 Oct) |
Tutorial |
Mid-semester Break - no tutorial |
Lecture |
Mid-semester break - no lecture NO LECTURE! |
|
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
Not Timetabled |
No Lecture or Tutorials due to King's Holiday on Monday: Please complete Practice Test No. 2 Complete the practice test 2. |
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Tutorial |
Discussion of Answers to Practice Test No. 2 Discussion of correct answers to the practice test. This will not be marked. Readings: Read Brandimonte for the next tutorials and re-read Liebert & Baron |
Lecture |
External Validity or Generalisability Five dimensions of external validity (settings, tasks, materials, participants, time); detecting external validity problems; ensuring and improving external validity. |
|
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Tutorial |
Control Techniques in Published Research (Brandimonte; Liebert & Baron) Explore experimental designs and control techniques in published research (Brandimonte and Liebert & Baron) |
Lecture |
No Lecture: Assignment is due! No Lecture but the written assignment is due today at 5pm via turnitin! |
|
Week 13 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Tutorial |
Designing state-of-the-art experiments Design experiments to test a research question; use creative and analytical skills to identify and rectify potential problems. No reading required. |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: