Course coordinator
Associate Professor Michael Noetel
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - )
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 6
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Psychology School
The Master of Psychology Dissertation is an essential part of the MPsych program, developing skills in research design, implementation and reporting. Each student's topic must be approved by the program director and should be field-based. Students enrol in PSYC7811 for 2 consecutive semesters.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Thesis course for Master of Psychology students only.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
PSYC7800
Course contact
Aims and outcomes
The dissertation aims to reinforce a research orientation to the practice of psychology in applied areas.ﾠRapid changes in knowledge in this area require that the psychologist is able to analyse the nature of the client's problemﾠacross the ﾠrelevant psychology area, collect and evaluate relevant information, and synthesise a solution to effectively intervene to resolveﾠissues relevant to their area.
The dissertation provides a foundation for the development of such competencies.ﾠ
On completion of the dissertation, the student will have demonstrated the ability to plan, execute, and report on a substantial research investigation at a level of advanced psychology training and in most cases suitable for publication in a refereed journal.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Design, plan, execute, analyse, and report on a determined research question
LO2.
Demonstrate: originality; critical thought; capacity to undertake independent research; logical interpretation of data
LO3.
Recognize and accommodate ethical practice within research
LO4.
Determine, and express, the theoretical and applied implications of the research
LO5.
Demonstrate insight that allows for informed judgements about the limitations of ones own work
LO6.
To communicate their research planning and findings to appropriate audiences
LO7.
Participate in a constructive manner in the process of research supervision
LO8.
Recognise and demonstrate interprofessional practice skills including role clarification, team functioning, interprofessional communication, conflict management, collaborative leadership and client-centred care
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Role play/ Simulation | GEMS IPCP Curriculum Assessment | Pass/Fail, must Pass |
The assessment will be completed in the tutorial class. This is determined by the class allocation. See the HABS1240 Blackboard site. |
| Thesis | Master of Psychology Dissertation | 100% |
16/10/2025 3:00 pm |
Assessment details
GEMS IPCP Curriculum Assessment
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Written
- Category
- Role play/ Simulation
- Weight
- Pass/Fail, must Pass
- Due date
The assessment will be completed in the tutorial class. This is determined by the class allocation. See the HABS1240 Blackboard site.
- Learning outcomes
- L08
Task description
The assessment will be completed in the tutorial class. The due date is determined by the class allocation.
This is a team assessment, and all team members are expected to contribute equally to the team’s assessment items during the tutorial. Teams will be assigned prior to the tutorial. There are two (2) parts to this assessment both based upon a client case conference role play that your team will complete during the tutorial class.
Part one requires you to complete a worksheet and will draw on your case conference role play, focusing on role-clarification, team functioning and client-centred care.
Length: There is no word limit for the worksheet.
Part two requires you to complete a team reflection on the processes adopted during your case conference role play specifically focusing on inter-professional communication, team functioning, conflict management and collaborative leadership.
Length: The team reflection will be limited to 500 words.
Teams will need to submit both assessment pieces in the Assessment tab on the IPCP Learn.UQ course site prior to the end of the tutorial class. Additional information regarding submission will be provided on the IPCP Learn.UQ course site.
Please refer to the assessment information on Learn.UQ for further details and requirements for the assessment.
The IPCP module is a Pass/Fail assessment task. Students who pass the module will receive a course grade based on the remaining assessment in the course.
Submission guidelines
Online submission via Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Late submission
Students who are unable to attend the module because they are away from Brisbane or ill on the day of the tutorial class, will be given an opportunity to complete the assessment individually. Successful completion of the assessment will enable a PASS grade for the module.
For students who engage with the module, participate in the group work and submit a genuine attempt but do not achieve a pass grade for their submitted work, will be given a second opportunity to pass the module by completing a reflective essay. If this is task is successfully completed, a grade will be awarded based on the remaining assessment in the course.
Students who do not engage with the module, fail to participate in the group work, or do not submit a genuine attempt, will be given an opportunity to complete a 5,000 word assignment on teamwork. Successful completion of this assignment will enable to be eligible to achieve a Pass grade for the course.
Students who fail the module who do not complete either the reflective essay nor the teamwork assignment will be awarded a Fail grade for the course (if the remaining assessment in the course would result in a Pass, a Fail grade will be awarded).
Master of Psychology Dissertation
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Thesis
- Weight
- 100%
- Due date
16/10/2025 3:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07
Task description
Thesis Overview
The thesis is worth six (6) units in total, spread equally over two semesters. Students should enrol in the thesis in the first and second semesters of their second year of the program, if full-time, and in the first and second semesters of their third or fourth year if part-time. PSYC7811 must be completed in one academic year for both full-time and part-time students (i.e., enrolment in two consecutive semesters).
The thesis comprises a 5,000 to 8,000 word document that conforms to the usual reporting structure in psychology journals (i.e., abstract, introduction, method, results, discussion, references, etc.).
The dissertation must be finalised and grades uploaded in accordance with semester deadlines, thereby reducing the time available to students in which to conduct and write up their research project. Students are required to submit an electronic copy via Turnitin on Blackboard.
The thesis grade is Pass/Fail. Information on marking criteria can be found on Blackboard.
Submission guidelines
Submit electronic copy via Turnitin.
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.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Pass/Fails | Description |
|---|---|
| Pass |
Course grade description: Dissertations have met or exceeded the basic requirements for the conduct and reporting of psychological research. At a minimum, the dissertation has identified a problem or issue, conducted an appropriate study designed to examine the issue, and provides an informative analysis and interpretation of the results. |
| Fail |
Course grade description: Dissertations in this band have failed to meet the basic requirements for the conduct and reporting of psychological research. For example, the project was not suitable or it was conducted inadequately. Alternatively, the written product may not contain the essential information required in the introduction, method, results, and discussion of the dissertation. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 2 |
Tutorial |
GEMS Interprofessional Collaborative Module Dentistry, Dietetics, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Psychology, Social Work and Speech Pathology. This is one module consisting of on-line preparation and a face-to-face tutorial class. You will be allocated to a small team of students from different discipline backgrounds to engage in a range of learning activities, including a case conference role play, to develop your knowledge and skills to help prepare you for working in interprofessional collaborative teams when caring for clients. Learning outcomes: L08 |
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 24 |
Not Timetabled |
Master of Psychology Dissertation (Independent Study) In consultation with their supervisor, students undertake preparation, research and write up of the MPsych thesis. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
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: