Course coordinator
Mrs Danielle Walsh
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- Herston
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Herston
- Coordinating unit
- UQ Medical School
This course provides an introduction to mental health research. You will be exposed to a variety of research methodologies and analysis methods. You will then develop a research proposal which requires critical engagement with hypotheses, design, methods and data analysis methods suitable for your project topic. You will gain practical experience with database searches, pragmatic project design and planning and program management, feasibility assessment and problem solving. Ethical research considerations and ethics applications will be covered in the course.
Welcome to PXMH7115, the first of two research-focused courses in the Master of Mental Health (MMH) program. This course is designed to help you develop a research proposal while building your knowledge of research paradigms and methodologies in mental health. Whether you’re new to research or have prior experience, we’ll support you to create a meaningful and achievable project.
In PXMH7115, you’ll complete two key assessments:
- Understanding Research Paradigms: This task introduces you to different research approaches. You’ll explore and compare two paradigms (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, systematic review, heuristic/phenomenological) and defend your choice of a methodology for your chosen topic.
- Research Proposal: The final assessment involves creating a detailed proposal for your research project, which will form the foundation for your work in PXMH7116.
We encourage students to undertake applied and clinical topics in mental health that are relevant to their professional interests, and that fit within the semester timeline. Any projects that will require ethics approval must first be approved by the Course Coordinator early in the semester. Students also have the option to consider projects such as systematic reviews and heuristic self-inquiries, which typically do not require full ethics approval.
Through workshops, individual supervision, self-directed study and group classes, you’ll refine your research topic, methodology, and proposal. Regular meetings with your supervisor are encouraged to keep you on track. By the end of the semester, you’ll have a well-developed research proposal and the skills to carry it forward into PXMH7116.
We look forward to supporting you on your research journey in PXMH7115!
Course requirements
Assumed background
As an introductory course you are not expected to have a background in research.ﾠ
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
PXMH7067
Course contact
School enquiries
Medical School Student and Academic Administration Team
Course staff
Course coordinator
Dr Jaya Valvoi
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Art Therapy and Psychotherapy Teaching
- Workshops: 8.30-4.00pm, Friday 7th March, 2025
- Individual Supervisionﾠ- Supervision arrangement will be negotiated with Course Coordinators: Mrs Danielle Walshﾠfor Art Therapy Program and Dr. Jaya Valvoi for Psychotherapy Program.
- Monthly Group Supervisionﾠ- Dates and times will be advised on blackboard
Art Therapy Specific Teaching
- AT Workshop - The Heroic Journey workshop will occur on the weekend of 8th March/9th March 2025 - K Floor, Mental Health Centre, Royal Brisbane Womens Hospital, Herston.ﾠﾠ
Aims and outcomes
Develop capacity to design an independent project relevant to mental health.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Formulate a question relevant to mental health practice;
LO2.
Conduct a literature review so as to identify existing knowledge in relation to your question;
LO3.
Design a methodology appropriate to your question
LO4.
Identify ethical issues associated with your methodology and obtain ethical clearance as necessary
LO5.
Utilise supervision and advice at all stages of your project
LO6.
Develop a research proposal
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution |
[PSY & AT Students] Attendance in Supervisory Meeting
|
Hurdle |
30/05/2025 |
| Essay/ Critique | [PSY & AT Students] Research Paradigms | 40% |
11/04/2025 1:00 pm |
| Portfolio |
[AT Students] 2 Reflective Artworks
|
Hurdle |
30/05/2025 1:00 pm |
| Project | [PSY & AT Students] Research Proposal | 60% |
30/05/2025 1:00 pm |
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
[PSY & AT Students] Attendance in Supervisory Meeting
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- Hurdle
- Due date
30/05/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
You are allocated a research supervisor for six hours of supervision per semester. You are required to attend a minimum of 3 supervisory meetings with your research supervisor to discuss your project. To ensure optimal research process, it is recommended that the meetings be held in a regular pattern (for example once every fortnight) rather than all at the near proposal submission period.
Criteria & Marking:
1. The student is evidenced to have attended and engaged in a minimum of three supervision sessions with their allocated research supervisor
Hurdle requirements
Attendance at a minimum of 3 supervisory meetings.Submission guidelines
Research supervisors will provide evidence of student attendance to supervision to the course coordinator.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Please find information about applying for an assessment extension here.
Late submission
Please refer to the UQ policy on late submission.
[PSY & AT Students] Research Paradigms
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
11/04/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04
Task description
This assessment contributes to an understanding of different approaches that may be used to examine your chosen topic, including methods, approaches and measurement in research. The assessment requires you to defend your choice of a research paradigm and methodologies (e.g.: qualitative or quantitative, systematic review, autoethnographic, heuristic/phenomenological etc.) as it relates to your chosen topic. The chosen approach/paradigm will be compared and contrasted with an alternate research paradigm to highlight differences in approaches and the extent that the alternate paradigm might or might not be used to address the same research topic.
Criteria & Marking:
The criteria for this assignment is:
- The essay reflects students’ understanding about the types of research paradigms and how they are conceptually distinct to one another.
- The essay provides a brief introduction of students’ chosen topic, the rationale for studying that topic, and the expected study outcomes.
- The essay justifies the paradigm that is being chosen or utilised to approach the students’ topics (e.g. why it is the best choice for the topic?, how issues of measurement and method are defined and can be used to answer the research questions?) by comparing and contrasting this with an alternate paradigm and how it might/might not be used to address the same research topic.
- The essay is presented as a critical analysis, written in accordance with the scientific writing style, and within 1,500 words limit.
Please see the provided Rubric for further guidelines to marking.
Submission guidelines
Turnitin assignment via Learn.UQ (Blackboard)
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Please find information about applying for an assessment extension here.
Late submission
Please refer to the UQ policy on late submission.
[AT Students] 2 Reflective Artworks
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Portfolio
- Weight
- Hurdle
- Due date
30/05/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L03
Task description
You are required to submit an electronic copy of two artwork pieces along with the title, media used, dimensions, and a short statement (approx. 40 words) about each piece.
At the end of the research courses (in semester 2), the Art Therapy students will create and exhibit a minimum of six and maximum of ten art pieces reflecting on their research process.
The two artworks submitted for this assessment hurdle can be included in the final 6-10 submitted for the exhibition.
These 6 -10 pieces of art should link together and provide a reflection throughout the research process. You can use any materials but be cognisant of the confines of the exhibition space. Please speak to the Course Coordinator for details.
Criteria & Marking:
Assessment Criteria:
1. The student has engaged in creative arts making using their chosen mediums, with a focus on the expression of their experience of the research process thus far.
2. Completion of two art works is evidenced by the submission of electronic copies/images of the art works created.
3. Each art work is suitable for display at the student's art exhibition at the completion of their research project.
Hurdle requirements
Submit electronic copies of two artworks by due date.Submission guidelines
Email to danielle.walsh@uq.edu.au
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Please find information about applying for an assessment extension here.
Late submission
Please refer to the UQ policy on late submission.
[PSY & AT Students] Research Proposal
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
30/05/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L06
Task description
The research proposal in the form of a Project Plan sets out the rationale for your research project and explains how it will be implemented. The research proposal must demonstrate both that the project is worth doing (has theoretical and/or practical contributions) and that it can be accomplished within the time frame available. It should include a literature review, a clear statement of the research question, details concerning the methodology and analysis of data/findings, a time frame and ethics requirements (where applicable).
Criteria & Marking:
- The proposal sets out a clear background/rationale for the study/research (including the identification of study gap and research questions).
- The proposal demonstrates utility and feasibility analysis by discussing the value of the project and how it can be accomplished within the available timeframe.
- The proposal includes relevant literature review, study aim (hypothesis), and/or study model.
- The proposal includes detail plan of the study methods (choosing participants, instruments/measures, study procedures, data analysis plan, and ethics requirements). The proposal also includes a detailed timeline (preferably using Gantt chart) to indicate feasibility for the project to be conducted within the available timeframe.
- The proposal is written critically and systematically, is free of grammatical and spelling errors, is in accordance with the scientific writing and referencing styles, and within 5,000 words (+/-10%).
Please see the provided Rubric for further guidelines to marking.
Submission guidelines
Turnitin assignment via Learn.UQ (Blackboard)
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Please find information about applying for an assessment extension here.
Late submission
Please refer to the UQ policy on late submission.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 34 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Fails to submit assessment and failure to demonstrate most or all of the basic requirements of the course; attains an overall mark of less than 35%. |
| 2 (Fail) | 35 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Some assessment items submitted but material submitted shows major decencies when evaluated against assessment criteria and major part of assessment is incomplete or not submitted; attains an overall mark of at least 35% but less than 45%. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Demonstrates decencies in understanding when submitted assessment material is evaluated against marking criteria; attains an overall mark of at least 45% but less than the overall pass mark of 50%. Please note: You will be unable to achieve a grade above 3 if you do not complete all assessment items, regardless of overall course performance. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 65 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Adequately demonstrates understanding, addresses required criteria and has met the minimum requirement for all assessment; attains the overall pass mark of at least 50% but less than 66%. |
| 5 (Credit) | 66 - 75 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Adequately demonstrates competent understanding, addresses required criteria and has met minimum or above requirements for all assessment; attains an overall mark of at least 66% but less than 76%. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 76 - 85 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Effectively demonstrates substantial understanding, addresses required criteria and meets or exceeds minimum requirements for all assessment; attains an overall mark of at least 76% but less than 86%. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 86 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Effectively demonstrates extensive understanding with outstanding achievement on assessment items when evaluated against marking criteria and meets or exceeds minimum requirements for all assessment; attains an overall mark of at least 86%. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Please note that all submission dates for assessments are in Brisbane time - Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).
Artificial Intelligence
These assessment tasks evaluate students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). You are advised that the use of AI technologies to create responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. If you wish to use AI technology for legitimate academic purposes please consult the course staff and get approval before submitting your essay. Please refer to UQs AI guidelines here.
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
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
The readings and literature are a mixture of psychotherapy and arts therapy focused ideas on research. They are only a beginning point for your engagement with research paradigms and knowledge.
You can engage with what is relevant to their emerging research project. You will also be guided to read particular texts to inform participation in workshops and supervision.ﾠ
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 |
Workshop |
[PSY+AT Students] Individual Supervision Individual supervision with the assigned supervisor. Minimum of 3 hours and a maximum of 6 hours per semester. Learning outcomes: L05, L06 |
Workshop |
Monthly Group project supervision Zoom-based group supervision Dates and Zoom links will be provided on Blackboard at the commencement of the semester. Group supervision will cover important topics including: orientation, research topic selection, ethics, research proposal development Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Workshop |
[PSY+AT students] Research Workshop One day research workshop, Friday 7/3/25 covering: 1. Introduction to research, 2. Overview of research paradigm and methodologies, 3. Overview of academic writing styles and generic structures of scientific article, 4. Strategies for literature search and review. Workshop attendance is mandatory to all students. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Workshop |
[AT Students] Art Therapy Workshop Experiential The Heroic Journey Saturday 8th March: 13.00-16.30 Sunday 9th March: 09.30-16.00 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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.