PSY301 Course Outline Undergraduate Thesis 1 JAN-MAY 2015
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Transcript of PSY301 Course Outline Undergraduate Thesis 1 JAN-MAY 2015
HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
1 PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2
COURSE TITLE : UNDERGRADUATE THESIS 1
COURSE CODE : PSY 301
COURSE DESCRIPTION : Students will learn how to select an appropriate topic,
conduct the literature review, and write a research proposal.
COURSE OBJECTIVES : At the end of the subject, students are able to:
1) understand the process of conceiving a research
question by taking into consideration past research
2) understand the different research methodologies and be
able to evaluate the strengths and limitations of each
3) understand the different statistical measures that are
available for analysing data
LEARNING OUTCOMES : At the end of the subject, students will be able to:
1) design their very own research project
2) select the appropriate statistical test for their research
3) write up their research proposal
PREREQUISITES : Advanced Quantitative Methods 1 (PSY 201), Advanced
Quantitative Methods 2 (PSY202) and Completed 54 credit
hours. Students who wish to conduct a mixed-methods
thesis study must obtain a minimum grade of B in PSY 201
AND PSY 202.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK : According to the topic of the thesis
SUPPLEMENTARY TEXTS: According to the topic of the thesis
REF. SITE : http://search.ebscohost.com/
LECTURER : Individual Supervisors – All lecturers
COURSE ASSESSMENT :
Please note that the research proposal
and Oral Presentation will be assessed
by the supervisor (which accounts for
40% of the marks) and an assigned
co-marker (which accounts for 60%
of the marks).
Research Proposal
Part 1: Written Report (70%) (Quant: 2000 words max,
Mixed Methods: 3000 words max)
a. Introduction/Lit review
b. Methodology (Proposed Research Method and
Statistical Analysis)
c. References
Part 2: Oral Defence (30%)
In order to complete the subject, students are also required
to complete a presentation of their research proposal at the
Oral Defence to be scheduled on Week 5-6 of the 2nd
Thesis
Semester (See Thesis Schedule on page 2). Attendance at
HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
2 PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2
the Oral Defence is COMPULSORY. Absentees without
medical certificate will be given an automatic zero mark
AND will be considered as having failed the module.
CREDIT HOURS : Four
CONTACT HOURS : Suggested number of contact hours with the supervisor = 6
hours (please note that students may be meeting the
supervisor in groups)
THESIS SCHEDULE : The thesis duration is divided into 3 semesters. Altogether, a
student has ONE YEAR to complete the thesis (i.e. Thesis 1 AND
Thesis 2). Please note that once you start your sem 1, you are required
to complete semester 2 and 3 subsequently i.e. you MUST register in
Sem 1 and Sem 3. This is NOT OPTIONAL. IF YOU FAIL TO
REGISTER, YOU ARE AUTOMATICALLY CONSIDERED TO
HAVE FAILED THE MODULE. You will not be given any extension
for your thesis i.e. you will have to complete the thesis within 3
semesters. Each semester is about 14 weeks. The 3 semesters will
involve the following:
1st Thesis Semester
• Official Registration for PSY301
• Supervisor Allocation
• Topic Selection
• Preparation of Proposal
• Research Design Confirmation Meeting (Week 8-short sem,
Week 14-long sem)
2nd
Thesis Semester
• Proposal due on Week 4
• Oral Defense on Week 5-6 (Remedial Defense Week 8)
• ERB application due after Oral Defense (ERBs due on the first
Monday of every month)
3rd
Thesis Semester
• Official Registration for PSY313
• Piloting and Data Collection upon successful ERB approval for the
study
• Data Input and Analysis
• Thesis 2 Write Up
• Thesis 2 presentation during Colloquium
HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
3 PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THESIS:
• Thesis-related information will be posted on MyAcel. There will be occasional changes to the document
posted. Hence it is the responsibility of ALL STUDENTS TO ACCESS MYACEL REGULARLY TO
KEEP UP WITH THESIS MATTERS.
• Appeal for an extension WILL NOT be entertained under normal circumstances. Application for extension
due to extenuating circumstances will be considered by a panel which meets one month before the end of
each Thesis semester. Applications for extension due to extenuating circumstances MUST be submitted
before the panel meets. Documental evidence must be attached to support application for extension. The
panel will not consider cases without documental evidence.
• The criteria to start thesis is the completion of (i.e. obtaining at least a grade of D in) ALL year 2 core
subjects. Students who do not meet this requirement cannot start the thesis process.
• YOU MUST REGISTER IN THESIS SEMESTER 1 AND 3. If YOU FAIL TO REGISTER, YOU
ARE AUTOMATICALLY CONSIDERED TO HAVE FAILED THE MODULE.
• ERB approval MUST be obtained prior to any data collection (including pilot study). Failure to adhere to
this rule will result in a “FAIL” grade
• The final date for submission of your thesis proposal is ONE (1) WEEK from the original submission date-
with a deduction of 2% per day for late submission (not including weekends).
In cases of having obtained an F grade for PSY 301:
• IF YOU FAIL PSY 301 (UNDERGRADUATE THESIS 1), YOU MUST RE-REGISTER FOR PSY
301 THE FOLLOWING SEMESTER, MAKE PAYMENT AND REPEAT EITHER ONE OR TWO
SEMESTERS (YOU WILL BE EMAILED/CALLED ABOUT OPTING TO REPEAT EITHER
ONE OR TWO SEMESTERS OF THESIS 1).
• IF YOU OPT TO CHANGE SUPERVISORS, YOU MUST SUBMIT NEW SUPERVISOR
PREFERENCES IN SEM 1 BY THE DEADLINE STIPULATED. IF YOU CHOOSE TO REMAIN
WITH THE SAME SUPERVISOR, YOU NEED NOT SUBMIT THE LIST OF PREFERENCES,
BUT YOU MUST NOTIFY YOUR SUPERVISOR AND THE THESIS ADMIN COORDINATOR
OF YOUR INTENTION TO CONTINUE UNDER HIS/HER SUPERVISION.
• YOU MUST PASS PSY 301 BEFORE MOVING INTO PSY 313 UNDERGRADUATE THESIS 2 IN
THESIS SEM 3. ONCE YOU PASS THESIS 1, YOU MAY NOT CHANGE THE TOPIC/METHOD
OF YOUR STUDY FOR YOUR THESIS 2 SUBMISSION
HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
4 PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2
Research Design Review Form
Name:
Student ID:
Supervisor:
Title of Project:
Quantitative or Mixed Methods:
Please fill in the following sections and bring two copies to the Research Design Confirmation Meeting:
Key Articles
(please cite a few
key journal articles
that were used / will
be used in your
literature review)
Design
IVs / DVs /
Correlational
Variables
(whichever
applicable)
Scales of
Measurement
Hypotheses
Proposed Statistical
Test(s) /
Proposed
Qualitative
Methodology
Note: the section on Qualitative Methodology only applies to students who have been approved to conduct mixed-methods
research
Please also note that a confirmation of your research design during the Research Design Confirmation Meeting does not
mean that the committee agrees with your justifications for the research (e.g. your hypotheses may be measurable and the
design and the suggested statistical analyses may be appropriate, but if your hypotheses are not justified by previous
literature, this will still be reflected in your research proposal marks). The Research Design Confirmation Meeting only
acts as a review process to ensure that students are on the right track with their research design / methods.
HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
5 PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2
PSY 301 Undergraduate Thesis 1 - New Processes
Two new thesis processes have been introduced to PSY 301, effective from the August 2014 semester
onwards, for students in their 2nd
Semester of PSY 301 (i.e. the Thesis Sem 2 batch)
1. Remedial Defence
A new Remedial Defence component has been introduced for PSY 301. This only applies to students who have
passed the proposal but failed the defence, and have as a result failed PSY 301 overall (i.e. computed proposal
and defence marks = less than 50%).
Any students in this situation will be given the opportunity to attend a Remedial Defence in week 8
(approximate). After this defence, if the student’s computed proposal and remedial defence marks are now over
50%, the student will pass PSY 301, with their grade capped at a D.
**note: this Remedial Defence component does not apply to students who have passed the proposal, failed the
defence, but have an overall computed mark of over 50%.
Approximate Timeline
(Subject to change; students should refer to the PSY 301 elearning page for exact proposal and defence dates)
Week 4 Friday – Deadline for Proposal
Week 5-6 – Defence
Week 8 – Students who have passed their proposal but failed their defence, and as a result failed PSY 301
overall will be contacted to attend the Remedial Defence.
2. Repeating PSY 301
In past semesters, students who have received an F grade for PSY 301 had to re-enrol for PSY 301 in its
entirety (i.e. two semesters). Effective from the August 2014 semester, students who receive an F grade for PSY
301 will only have to re-enrol for PSY 301 for the duration of one semester.
Sample Timeline
May 2014 – Student enrols for PSY 301
August 2014 – Student is still enrolled for PSY 301, submits the proposal and attends a defence. Student
obtains an F grade.
Jan 2015 – Student re-enrols for PSY 301, submits the proposal and attends a defence. Student passes PSY 301.
May 2015 – Student enrols for PSY 313.
**note: the deadline for the proposal is typically on Week 4 Friday. As such, students repeating PSY 301 have
to be mindful of these deadlines and submit their proposal + attend the defence according to the same timelines
as students who are attempting PSY 301 for the first time.
***In the event that any student who has failed PSY 301 prefers to re-enrol for PSY 301 for the usual period of
2 semesters (e.g. in instances where the student wishes to make major changes to their design or submit their
preferences for a new semester), this can be done as well. Please inform the department of such a decision so
that the necessary arrangements can be made.
HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
6 PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2
Thesis Semester Activity Supervisor role Student’s role
1st Semester
Weeks 1-6
1. Register for PSY 301
2. Indicate Supervisor Preferences
3. Receive Supervisor Allocations
4. Conduct Literature Review
5. Research Question
6. Establish a regular meeting
schedule with supervisor
• To brief students on the
overview and objectives of this
project and give explanations on:
Aims, Objectives, Requirements,
Assessment, Timeline (in
groups; size – at the supervisor’s
discretion)
• To help students decide on their
thesis area as well as thesis topic.
• Read thesis-related documents.
• Make appointments and meet with
supervisor to discuss potential thesis
topics and research questions.
• Submit an A4 summary of research
question(s), aims of study and
implications of study + a preliminary
list of main references.
1st Semester
Weeks 7-14
1. Continue Lit Review
2. Define constructs
3. Operationalize constructs
4. Hypotheses (Max 5)
5. Suggest a selection of
measurement tools/material to
use( including academic
rationale)- Write to authors
for permission to use tools, if
necessary
6. Suggest sample/sampling
technique(s)
7. Suggest Research Methodology
8. Suggest Statistical Tests
9. Research Design
Confirmation Meeting (Week
14).
• To guide the students in 1-8, but
not provide the answers directly
e.g. what stats to use
• Provide supervisor with a written
summary of the activities completed
(See the Activity Column). Write
Proposal Draft on Week 12-14.
• To be prepared in advanced in order to
raise any questions and concerns they
have during meetings with their
supervisor.
• To check with supervisors if the thesis
is progressing in the right direction.
Students should not expect the
supervisors to do their thesis for them
(this would include planning,
conducting and writing of any part of
the study).
2nd
Semester
Weeks 1-3
1. Write the Proposal Draft
2. Finalize Proposal Draft
• Provide feedback and
recommendation on draft
• Submit draft according to deadline
stipulated by lecturer.
• Follow-up on permission to use tools
(again, only if necessary)
HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
7 PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2
Thesis Semester Activity Supervisor role Student’s role
2nd
Semester
Weeks 4-6
1. Submit Thesis Proposal
2. Preparation for Oral Defense
3. Oral Defense
• To arrange for oral defense slot
with second markers after
receiving student’s email request
for an oral defense session
• To guide students for defense i.e.
presentation slides and mock
Q/A
• Discuss comments during
defense
• To email supervisor for oral defense
date, time and venue. Supervisors will
only arrange for the oral defense after
receiving the student’s email.
• Set appointment if student needs a
mock defense
• Amend proposal according to feedback
and recommendations given during
defense
2nd
Semester
Weeks 7-8 Prepare ERB application
• To guide students through ERB
application process
• Complete ERB form properly
2nd
Semester
Weeks 9-14
Continue with Pilot Study/Data
Collection
• Check that students are well
prepared to run the research,
particularly if ERB is
conditional. All conditions have
to be fulfilled before students
can commence on pilot study.
• To guide students through
piloting processes and data
collection
• Provide official letter to certify
that the student is a HELP
University student currently
conducting a study in partial
fulfilment of a degree (optional
and as required).
• Supervisor’s approval required
prior to commencing pilot study.
• Conduct pilot study.
• Note and discuss proposed changes
following pilot study
• Prepare all necessary materials for data
collection.
HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
8 PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2
GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION:
Late submissions are subject to a deduction of 2 marks per day (not inclusive of weekends). Please submit two copies of your paper with the new
format cover page and declaration (samples can be found on the PSY 301 elearning site under information for your batch). The format of your paper
should be:
Page 1: PSY 301 Undergraduate Thesis Marking Scheme (write your name as well as the names of your supervisor & co-marker in the space provided)
Page 2: PSY 301 Oral Defense Marking Scheme
Page 3: Cover page
Page 4: Declaration (please read note below for information on the declaration page)
Page 5 onwards: Thesis Proposal
*Appendices MUST include: the Turnitin original receipt.
The PSY 301 Undergraduate Thesis Proposal & Oral Defense Marking Schemes can be found at the end of this course outline document.
Department of Psychology Declaration Please note that from Aug 2010 semester onwards, all students submitting their thesis proposal/thesis are required to sign and attach the HELP
University Department of Psychology Declaration to their thesis proposal/thesis. Please use the sample available on the PSY 301 elearning page to
format your cover page and declaration page (the red text are the ones you will need to personalize/edit while the black text is standard for every student-
DO NOT EDIT THE BLACK TEXT). These two documents (cover page & declaration page) MUST BE ATTACHED to your thesis proposal/thesis
and the declaration page MUST BE SIGNED for your thesis proposal/thesis to be accepted.
*The extenuating circumstances panel will meet 1 month before the thesis deadline. All applications for extenuating circumstances MUST be
submitted before the committee meets. Please refer to PSY301 course outline under RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THESIS as well as the
Protocol for Thesis Extension document posted on the elearning page for information on what constitutes grounds for thesis extension
application
HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
9 PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2
HELP Department of Psychology 3rd
Year Undergraduate Thesis Grading Scheme
Marks Grade Description
90-100
85-90
A
A-
• thoroughly exceptional work
• comprehensive coverage of material
• well integrated and accurate
• thorough critical evaluation
• extensive insight into theoretical issues
• excellent understanding and application of research methods
• excellent understanding and application of statistics
• originality of research idea; has the potential to be published
80-84
75-79
B+
B
• a good work
• sufficient coverage of material
• sufficiently integrated and accurate
• effective critical evaluation
• some insight into theoretical issues
• good understanding and application of research methods
• good understanding and application of statistics
• well-structured
70-74
65-69
60-64
B-
C+
C
• a fair report
• evidence of wide reading but lacks coverage of relevant material
• some integration demonstrated with accuracy
• demonstration of some evaluative edge
• most arguments are developed but lacks theoretical basis.
• sufficient understanding and application of research methods
• sufficient understanding and application of statistics
• structure is clear
55-59
50-54
C-
D
• a reasonable report
• little evidence of wide reading; limited in scope
• lacks integration
• lacks critical evaluation
• arguments not developed; no theoretical basis
• basic understanding and application of research methods
• basic understanding and application of statistics
• demonstrate some structure
0-49 F • attempts to write a report
• little coverage of relevant material
• extreme lack of integration; at most a summary of unrelated studies
• no demonstration of critical evaluation
• lacks any academic argument; poor awareness of theories
• poor understanding and inaccurate application of research methods
• poor understanding and inaccurate application of statistics
• disorganize
HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
10 PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2
Name: ___________________________
Supervisor: ___________________________
Co-Marker: ___________________________
PSY 301 Undergraduate Thesis 1 Research Proposal Marking Scheme (QUANTITATIVE)
Summary A brief description of study’s aim and methodology
/5
Introduction
Review of literature
Clear and accessible outline of theoretical framework
Recent relevant past research cited and evaluated
Evidence of critical appraisal
Aims and/or hypotheses clearly stated
The originality of the idea as valid and distinctive.
Justification & derivation of the idea.
/60
Structure, sequence, style, including grammar and spelling
Method
/30
Research Method/Design
• Sample/Sampling Technique(s)
• Materials
• Procedures
• Pilot
Statistical analyses
Appropriate study design
Originality
Justification i.e. rationale for the suggested research methods and statistical analyses
Style, including grammar and spelling
References References complete excellent good fair poor/missing
Presentation/Format /5
Appendices complete excellent good fair poor/missing
Compliance with guidelines excellent good fair poor/missing
Adherence to word limit excellent good fair poor/missing
Supervisor (40%) Co-marker (60%)
Initials: Note: Marks for language and grammar are already
included in each of the subsections. Mark:
HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
11 PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2
Name: ___________________________
Supervisor: ___________________________
Co-Marker: ___________________________
PSY 301 Undergraduate Thesis 1 Oral Defense Marking Scheme (QUANTITATIVE)
PART A: Content (25%) Students must be able to explain the main components of their proposal, which
includes:
Marks Marks earned
A Aim of the study /1
B Past research (relevance, breadth & depth) /2
C Gaps in the literature /2
D Theoretical perspective(s) /2
E Clear research questions and hypotheses /2
F Integration of (b), (c), & (d) in making a consistent justification for (e) /6
G Theoretical contributions and practical implications /2
H Research methods, sample & sampling, materials, and statistical tests /4
I Justification for (h) /4
Marks for Part A /25
PART B: Presentation style and Q&A (25%) Marks Marks earned
A The presentation, overall, is clear and concise /5
B Students are able to handle 5 questions in a professional way and provide accurate
answers to the questions. Each question is scored on a scale of 0-4.
0 = not able to answer at all & 4 = clearly able to answer.
Q1 0 1 2 3 4
/20
Q2 0 1 2 3 4
Q3 0 1 2 3 4
Q4 0 1 2 3 4
Q5 0 1 2 3 4
Marks for Part B /25
TOTAL MARKS /50
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
12 PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2
Name: ___________________________
Supervisor: ___________________________
Co-Marker: ___________________________
PSY 301 Undergraduate Thesis 1 Research Proposal Marking Scheme (MIXED-METHODS)
Summary
A brief description of study’s aim and methodology
/5
Introduction/Literature Review
Review of literature
Clear and accessible outline of theoretical
framework
Recent relevant past research cited and evaluated
Evidence of critical appraisal
Aims and/or hypotheses clearly stated
Research paradigm
The originality of the idea as valid and distinctive
Clear indication of the mixed-methods design to be
used (sequential exploratory or sequential
explanatory)
Statement of a mixed-methods research question
Justification & derivation of the idea, including
justification for conducting a mixed-methods study
over a single-methods study
Structure, sequence, style, including grammar and spelling /60
Method – Quantitative Study
Introduction
Design
Sample
Materials
Pilot
Procedure
Method of analysis
Appropriate study design
Originality
Justification
Choice of method and analyses
Style, including grammar and spelling /15
Method – Qualitative Study
Introduction
Approach and Method
Sample
Materials
Pilot
Procedure
Method of analysis
Approaches taken for data modification
Approaches taken to enhance validity and
reliability
Style, including grammar and spelling /15
References References complete excellent good fair poor/missing
Presentation/Format /5
Appendices complete excellent good fair poor/missing
Compliance with guidelines excellent good fair poor/missing
Adherence to word limit excellent good fair poor/missing
Supervisor (40%) Co-marker (60%)
Initials: Note: Marks for language and grammar are already
included in each of the subsections. Mark:
HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
13 PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2
Name: ___________________________
Supervisor: ___________________________
Co-Marker: ___________________________
PSY 301 Undergraduate Thesis 1 Oral Defense Marking Scheme (MIXED-METHODS)
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND Marks
Able to identify main theories/studies in chosen field /2
Able to identify gaps in past literature/research (critical analysis) /2
Clear research question(s) /2
Link between research question and past literature/research /2
Clear aim and/or hypothesis for study /2
Link between aim and/or hypothesis(ses) and past literature/research /3
Justify the reason for conducting the current study (i.e. identifying the
theoretical and/or practical implications of the current study)
/3
Marks for INTRODUCTION /16
METHODOLOGY Marks
Appropriate sample /1
Appropriate sampling technique and/or method of data collection /1
Appropriate tools (questions/equipment for qualitative) /2
Justification for chosen tools (questions/equipment for qualitative) /2
Appropriate research method/statistical design (data analysis for qual) /2
Justification research method/statistical design (data analysis for qual) /2
Marks for METHODOLOGY /10
HANDLING QUESTIONS/COMMENTS (Q/C) Marks
Professional (not rude, not defensive) 2
Appropriate and relevant answers given 2
Marks for HANDLING Q/C /4
TOTAL MARKS /30
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: