The Scientist-Practitioner Model (PSYC4121)

Course overview

Enrolment Note:This course has a delayed enrolment date and will open following the allocation of Honours streams. Students will be advised of the specific date each year when their Honours stream is confirmed and should contact the School of Psychology for further information. External offering is only available to those enrolled in the External offering of the Honours Thesis (PSYC4071/PSYC4091).
This course will critically examine the history and current status of the scientist-practitioner model with a particular emphasis on how practitioners can incorporate an evidence-based approach across a range of applied psychology disciplines. The course will be broadly divided into three components: Principles of Evidence-Based Practice; Principles of Assessment and Psychometrics; and the Scientist-Practitioner in Action.

The Scientist-Practitioner Model in psychology is an educational approach that promotes the integration of research and practice — using empirical research as a basis for applied work and applied clinical experience to develop research questions that can further advance science.ﾠ Psychologists working within this model demonstrate a research orientation in their practice, and a practice relevance in their research.

This course critically examines the history and current status of the Scientist-Practitioner Model with a particular emphasis on how practitioners can incorporate an evidence-based approach across a range of applied psychology disciplines. The course will be broadly divided into three components: Ethical considerations and Principles of Evidence-Based Practice; Principles of Assessment and Psychometrics; and the Scientist-Practitioner in Action.

In the first component, students will become familiar with the core principles of evidence-based practice.ﾠ Students will develop skills in: formulating answerable questions; finding the best evidence to answer these questions; critically appraising the evidence; applying the evidence by integrating the results with professional expertise and patient/client values; and evaluating the effectiveness of the approach.

The second component will consolidate students’ knowledge of key psychometric concepts in assessment. A particular emphasis will be on the application of this knowledge via critical evaluation of a range of psychological assessment tools and their use in research and practice.

The third component, the Scientist-Practitioner in Action, endeavours to integrate these concepts across a range of applied psychology disciplines. Lecturers from a range of applied psychological disciplinesﾠwill discuss their area of expertise and also demonstrate how the Scientist-Practitioner Model is applied within it. These applied lectures will also discuss key assessment approaches in their area of practice or research.

The lecture series will be supported by a tutorial program that will incorporate workshops to assist with the primary PICO essay assessment. Class discussions around pre-professional competencies in psychological practice/s will also be conducted including topics on working across the 'Lifespan', and with 'Diverse Groups'. Practical tutorials include communication and relationship skills: 'Interview Skills', 'Interpersonal Skills' 1 & 2,ﾠ practical activities and role play will be conducted.

Note: While all care is taken to record lectures, from time to time technical issues do occur. To avoid any problems we highly encourage attendance at all scheduled lectures.

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Course requirements

Restrictions

BPsySc(Hons), BSc(Hons) in Psychology, BArts(Hons) in Psychology

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

This course is taught in person, except for Week 1, which is a pre-recorded Introduction to the course and topic and will be available on Blackboard. Recordings of lectures will be accessible on Blackboard after each session. Please note that while we strive to record all lectures, technical issues may occasionally arise. We strongly encourage attending all scheduled lectures to avoid any problems

Aims and outcomes

The aim of the course is for students to obtain a comprehensive understanding and extensive knowledge of the Scientist-Practitioner Model and its importance,ﾠand for students toﾠunderstand andﾠapply evidence-based practice across a range of psychology disciplines.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

PICO Essay

Mode

Written

Category

Essay/ Critique

Weight

40%

Due date

2/09/2024 2:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

This assessment piece is to be submitted via Turnitin. NOTE: You will no longer receive an automatic submission receipt from Turnitin confirming your assignment has been received. You should download a copy of the digital receipt from the Assignment Dashboard and keep this as a record.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

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.

Applications for extension should be submitted before the due date. Students with an approved SAP for the appropriate semester who apply for an extension will be granted 1 week without further documentation provided.

Applications for extension after the due date will only be accepted in exceptional cases (e.g. severe illness, hospitalization, or for compassionate reasons). Please refer to the policy and guidelines (6.1 of this course profile) for further information as well as the following link on my.UQ for extension eligibility https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment /applying-extension (https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-extension)

In-Class, Online Quiz

• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Quiz

Weight

20%

Due date

7/10/2024 - 11/10/2024

We will conduct the online quiz during your usual tutorials. Please bring a device (tablet, laptop, or handheld computer) capable of accessing the internet to participate and answer the series of multiple-choice questions.

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

Must attend tutorials to access and complete the quiz.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Deferred with acceptable supporting documentation per the UQ's assessment policy. Further details on Blackboard.

Late submission

If you are unable to attempt the online quiz at the time specified and wish to request a deferred quiz, please complete the online application for deferral of an assessment.

Interpersonal Communication and Interview Skills - Video Role-play

• Hurdle

Mode

Activity/ Performance

Category

Practical/ Demonstration, Role play/ Simulation

Weight

30% Must receive above 15% to pass the course

Due date

14/10/2024 -

Submission is via Blackboard by due date 2:00pm Monday 14 October 2024.

Learning outcomes

L04, L06

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

All students are required to complete this task and submit both their video recorded role-play by the due date. Students will be given the option to re-complete the role-play, if they do not achieve a passing grade.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

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.

Applications for extension should be submitted before the due date. Students with an approved SAP for the appropriate semester who apply for an extension will be granted 1 week without further documentation provided.

Written Reflection on Video Role-play

Mode

Written

Category

Reflection

Weight

10%

Due date

25/10/2024 -

Submission is via Blackboard by due date 2:00pm Friday 25 October 2024.

Learning outcomes

L04, L05, L06

Task description

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

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.

Applications for extension should be submitted before the due date. Students with an approved SAP for the appropriate semester who apply for an extension will be granted 1 week without further documentation provided.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

Students must gain a mark of at least 50% on the communication assessment (Video Role-play assignment) to pass the course. If students achieve a passing percentage based on all other assessment items but fail the communication assessment, they will fail the course.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

Unless explicitly indicated, all assessment items are to be individually written or produced for this course only, and sources should be fully acknowledged. Plagiarism and collusion (working closely on an assignment with someone else) are serious academic offences. Please refer to the University Policy for more details.

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

Where relevant, lecturers will assign readings in advance. These will be available on Blackboard where applicable.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Additional learning activity information

Diverse groups

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 - 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:

• School of Psychology Student Guidelines