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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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

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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

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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:

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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:

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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:

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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:

PSY301 Course Outline Undergraduate Thesis 1 JAN-MAY 2015

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