Outline

Overview

This unit provides students with a deep understanding of the principles and practices that underpin high-quality psychology research. The unit consists of a series of seminars and project workshops. During seminars, students will learn how to design informative and methodologically sound studies, interpret null results, and apply open science practices such as preregistration, data sharing, and reproducible analysis. In parallel, students will develop the skills to critically evaluate the quality and credibility of existing research, learning to identify strengths, limitations, and potential biases in published studies. During workshops, under the guidance of a member of academic staff, students will work in groups to carry out an empirical study from start to finish鈥攊ncluding study design, implementation, analysis, and reporting. By the end of the unit, students will have gained an appreciation of what makes psychology research rigorous, transparent, and trustworthy.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Psychology Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	(PSYC1001 or PSYC5111) and (PSYC1002 or PSYC5112) and (PSYC2012 or PSYC5212) and 6 credit points from (PSYC2X10 or PSYC2X11 or PSYC2015 or PSYC2915 or PSYC2016 or PSYC2017 or PSYC5215 or PSYC5216 or PSYC5217)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Tom Hardwicke, tom.hardwicke@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Interactive oral	Interactive oral (group) Project Report (Part I - Group Interactive Oral)	20%	Multiple weeks	15 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Interactive oral	Interactive oral (individual) Project Report (Part III - Individual Interactive Oral)	40%	Multiple weeks	10 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Seminar engagement In-person seminar attendance and active participation in seminar activities.	10%	Multiple weeks	1 hour per week	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Workshop engagement In-person workshop attendance and active participation in group research project activities.	10%	Multiple weeks	3 hours per week.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Research practices Critical analysis of a published research paper.	15%	Week 09 Due date: 11 Oct 2026 at 23:59	1,500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Project Report Project Report Part II (Individual)	5%	Week 11 Due date: 25 Oct 2026 at 23:59	2,500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Seminar Engagement (10%):聽In-person seminar attendance and active participation in seminar activities (Weeks 1 to 11).

Workshop Engagement (10%):聽In-person workshop attendance and active participation in workshop activities, including the group project (Weeks 2 to 11).

Research Practices听(15%):聽Students will work in groups to write a 1,500 word critique of a published research paper. Due Week 11.

Interactive Oral (Group)听(20%):聽In project sub-groups, students will discuss progress on their project with the Project Leader for 15 minutes. All students must speak during the assessment. The group interactive oral will be arranged by the Project Leader in Week 5, 6, or 7.聽The Interactive Oral is a compulsory assessment, so if you do not attempt it, you will receive an Absent Fail (AF) grade.

Project Report (5%):聽Students will write a 2,500 word individual report on their research project. The report should include the following sections: Title, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, References, Supplementary Information. The References and Supplementary Information sections do not count towards the word count. The Project Report is a compulsory assessment, so if you do not attempt it, you will receive an Absent Fail (AF) grade.

Interactive Oral (Individual)听(40%):聽Students will individually discuss their project with a Project Leader for 10 minutes. The individual interactive oral will be arranged by the Unit Coordinator in Week 12 or 13.聽The Interactive Oral is a compulsory assessment, so if you do not attempt it, you will receive an Absent Fail (AF) grade.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the (Schedule 1).

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the聽Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the聽Current Students website聽for more information on AI in assessments, including聽details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website聽provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the聽Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM)聽which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the聽Current Students website聽for more information on AI in assessments, including聽details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a聽simple extension.鈥� The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can鈥檛 complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for聽special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students,聽聽includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy聽reflects the University鈥檚 commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1 hr/week seminar on topics in psychological research and its applications	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 02	1 hr/week seminar on topics in psychological research and its applications	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 02	3hrs/week (1h contact time) workshop on the research project	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 03	1 hr/week seminar on topics in psychological research and its applications	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 03	3hrs/week (1h contact time) workshop on the research project	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 04	1 hr/week seminar on topics in psychological research and its applications	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 04	3hrs/week (1h contact time) workshop on the research project	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 05	1 hr/week seminar on topics in psychological research and its applications	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 05	3hrs/week (1h contact time) workshop on the research project	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 06	1 hr/week seminar on topics in psychological research and its applications	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 06	3hrs/week (1h contact time) workshop on the research project	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 07	1 hr/week seminar on topics in psychological research and its applications	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 07	3hrs/week (1h contact time) workshop on the research project	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 08	1 hr/week seminar on topics in psychological research and its applications	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 08	3hrs/week (1h contact time) workshop on the research project	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 09	1 hr/week seminar on topics in psychological research and its applications	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 09	3hrs/week (1h contact time) workshop on the research project	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 10	1 hr/week seminar on topics in psychological research and its applications	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 10	3hrs/week (1h contact time) workshop on the research project	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 11	1 hr/week seminar on topics in psychological research and its applications	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 11	3hrs/week (1h contact time) workshop on the research project	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 12	1 hr/week seminar on topics in psychological research and its applications	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 12	3hrs/week (1h contact time) workshop on the research project	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 13	1 hr/week seminar on topics in psychological research and its applications	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 13	3hrs/week (1h contact time) workshop on the research project	Workshop (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

As per Section 60(5)(c), 68(2)(a), and 68(3) of the University鈥檚 Coursework Policy, a student must comply with a Unit of Study鈥檚 attendance requirement 鈥� for this Unit of Study,聽a student must be recorded as having attended at least ten (10) of the workshops, and if a student does not meet this requirement, they will receive an Absent Fail (AF) grade.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. apply disciplinary knowledge to solve problems in an interdisciplinary context
LO2. find, define and delimit authentic problems in order to address them
LO3. create an investigation strategy, explore solutions, discuss approaches and predict outcomes
LO4. analyse data using modern information technology and digital skills
LO5. demonstrate integrity, confidence, personal resilience and the capacity to manage challenges, both individually and in teams
LO6. collaborate with diverse groups and across cultural and disciplinary boundaries to develop solution(s) to the project problems
LO7. communicate project outcomes effectively to a broad audience.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all 爆料王 graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one鈥檚 personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Disclaimer

Important: the 爆料王 regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an .

爆料王

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

爆料王

PSYC3888: Psychology Interdisciplinary Project

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links