PY2101:03
Brain and Behaviour
Townsville, Cairns
HECS Band 1
26 hours lectures, 24 hours tutorials, 12 practicals. Semester 1.
Staff: Dr D Mitchell (Townsville campus); Dr D Graham (Cairns campus).
This subject introduces students to the designs and statistical methodologies commonly used in settings where direct experimentation is not feasible. It covers surveys, field studies, quasi-experiments and descriptive research in combination with multivariate statistical techniques. It focuses on causal and predictive models (most linear models) and data reduction techniques. The ethical standards for research in applied and experimental settings are also covered.
Learning Objectives:
- provide further practical and conceptual grounding for students’ understanding of how surveys, quasi-experimental methods, analytical techniques and statistics can and should be used in the study of human behaviour;
- recognise the strengths and limitations of these methodologies;
- interpret and critically evaluate the results of applied research;
- enhance students’ research and report writing skills;
- utilise ethical standards in the practice of applied and experimental research.
Assessment by mid-semester examination (25%); practical work (35%); end-of-semester examination (40%).