Overview

Assessment Task

• Essay (1200 words)

Value (of total mark) –

• 25%

Related Learning Outcome/s –

1. Describe what psychologists do and the major theoretical perspectives in psychology within the science practitioner model.
2. Not applicable
3. Evaluate and apply major psychological concepts and theories to learning, memory, thought and language, motivation and emotion, personality, attitudes and social cognition, interpersonal processes, and health and wellbeing. (bold is the focus topics)
4. Describe how core psychological concepts and theories interact in real life and apply to particular topical issues.
5. Review the impact of psychological frameworks of core topics to historical and contemporary socio-cultural issues and ethical practices.
6. Demonstrate effective academic research and writing skills using APA format.

Due Date:

Friday 12 January at 23:59 pm (ACST)

Length

• 1200 words (+/- 10%)
• The word count excludes: Student APA title page and reference
• The word count includes the paper title on Page 2 and citations.

Task Summary: Answer a research question based on a current hot topic: Effects of the built environment on cognition:

The task in detail

Background.

Imagine that during a discussion with friends the topic of the lecture theatres came up. A friend said that they noticed it was easier to focus on the lecture and problem-solving tasks in some of theatres than others. They were not sure why but thought it might be something to do with the physical attributes of the theatre. Your immediate thought is that your friend was that the reason for easier focus and problem solving was due to being more interested and therefore more motivated to focus on the lectures than the physical attributes of the lecture theatres. Rather than have a go at your friend you decide to research the effect of the physical attributes of a lecture theater on learning and problem-solving tasks such as exams so you can have a discussion later.

The Steps

Using the following three quantitative papers, determine if the sound, colour, and temperature of a lecture theatre affects memory and attention, aspects of cognition important for learning.

The identification and extraction of 2 papers was completed in Assessment 2. There is a third paper which you will need to find and identify and extract critical data. Once you

have completed the data extraction for the third paper, you will be ready to start to compare and contrast the three papers and then write the synthesis paragraph.

There are several steps to the task.

1. Locate the third paper in the CDU library databases.
   1. Identify, extract, and compare and contrast the critical information in the papers so you can determine if the physical attributes of a lecture theater can effect learning and problem-solving tasks such as exams.
   • Write a 1200-word report which will include:
     1. An introduction
     1. a one paragraph report of the critical information for each of the three papers.
     1. one paragraph which synthesises the critical data
     1. a concluding paragraph
     1. one or two secondary citations
     1. one quote of 40 words or less
     1. an APA 7th compliant reference list and title page
     1. all citations and page formatting must comply with apa 7th conventions.
     1. the font must be Times New Roman 12 ppt font. Do not include
2. An abstract
3. Headings (except the paper title on page 2)
4. Figures or tables
5. Abbreviations and acronyms

The Three Set Papers

Note.

1. The papers are presented to you in an APA 7th non-compliant format. You are expected to correct the errors and write the references using APA 7th conventions.
2. You will already have 2 of the papers. You will need to find the remaining paper.

Braat-Eggen, Ella, et al. “The Effect of Background Noise on a “Studying for an Exam” Task in an Open-Plan Study Environment: A Laboratory Study.” Frontiers in Built Environment 7 (2021): 687087.

Xiong, Lilin, Xiao Huang, Jie Li, Peng Mao, Xiang Wang, Rubing Wang, & Meng Tang. “Impact of indoor physical environment on learning efficiency in different types of tasks: A 3× 4× 3 full factorial design analysis.” International journal of environmental research and public health 15, no. 6 (2018): 1256.

Brink, Henk W., Loomans, M. G., Mobach M. P., and Kort, H. S. . “Classrooms’ indoor environmental conditions affecting the academic achievement of students and teachers in higher education: A systematic literature review.” Indoor air 31.2 (2021): 405-425.

Preparation

It is very important that you

• follow the procedures detailed in the micro-tutorials and that you
  • do not leave the assignment to the last minute.
  • appreciate you are likely to be learning new skills and you need to reach a conclusion which may require some thinking Therefore you need to give yourself time.

The online self-paced micro-tutorials found in Learnline.

• Foundations of Critical Thinking (these explain how to identify, extract, and compare and contrast critical information in scientific papers). Additional tutorials include crafting title, introduction paragraphs, and concluding paragraphs.
• APA 7th Conventions (they explain and help you identify the conventions which shape APA 7th conventions so that the APA textbook is less daunting).

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Note: Do not use the APA guidelines as set out by the CDU Library. While many of the guidelines comply with the APA 7th conventions there are some errors. The prescribed textbook, Burton (2021), An interactive approach to essay and report writing for psychology, is the standard of APA you will be expected use. However, you will use Australian date conventions for the due date on the student title page. An example of Australian date convention is 21 September 2022. Note there are no commas.

After-hours tutorials

• online drop-in sessions devoted to the skills needed to do well in the assessment. ‘
• It is expected that you will have completed the micro tutorials to get the most out of the drop-in sessions.

You have questions?

Use the Assessment Discussion board or email the lecturer to ask questions. If you email, the lecturer may request you post the questions on the board as it will help other students.

No questions about the assignment will answered if they are posted or email 48 hours or less before the due date.

Assessment Criteria: Maximum Marks = 90 marks

Introduction Paragraph: Subtotal = 10 marks:

• Essay aim (2 marks),
• Clear background of the essay topic, that is, why is the essay important (2 marks),
• Definition of the main variables (2 marks),
• Outline of the essay (2 marks),
• Outline of the conclusion (2 marks).

Reporting the critical analysis for each of the set papers: Paragraph: Subtotal = 30 marks:

Where students use a paper which is not set, the critical analysis for the not-set paper will receive zero (0) marks). Each report will receive a maximum of 10 marks:

• The paper’s aim (1 mark),
• Participant description (1 mark),
• Research method (1 mark),
• Relevant findings (1 mark),
• Limitation (1 mark),

• Conclusion about the paper (2 marks)
• Concise, logical, writing style (3 mark),

Synthesis: Paragraph: Subtotal = 20 marks:

Compare and contrast

• The aims of the three set papers (3 marks),
• Participants of the three set papers (3 marks),
• Research method of the three set papers (3 marks),
• Findings of the three set papers (3 marks),
• Limitations (3 marks)
• Concise, logical, writing style (2 mark),
• Citations were correctly formatted and placed (3 marks),

Concluding Paragraph: Paragraph: Subtotal = 11 marks:

• Restatement of the purpose of the paper (2 marks),
• Restatement of the main findings (2 marks),
• A strong concluding statement (2 marks),
• Strong statement about the implication of the conclusion(2 marks) .
• Clarity, concise, logical, writing style (3 marks)

APA 7th convention: Paragraph: Subtotal = 20 marks:

• Paper title (2 marks);
• Title page (2 marks);
• References (3 marks),
• Citations including secondary citation, quotation of less than 40 words (4 marks),
• Page formatting (2 marks),
• word count correct (1 mark),
• Times New Roman 12 ppt font and no headings (1mark),
• following instructions to use only the three set papers (3 marks)

Submit your assignment through the Turnitin Portal.

Turnitin will provide a similarity report. However, once it is submitted you will not able to upload your assignment for a second time. Therefore, make sure you paraphrase as much as you can or cite correctly and frequently.

Please note

Students are reminded that the capture and presentation of assessment items for sale, trade or other circulation, either within the university or with outside bodies, represents a significant act of academic misconduct under the university’s Academic and Scientific

Misconduct and Fraud, Bribery and Corrupt Conduct Prevention policies and may leave students open to penalties laid out therein.

By submitting work for this assessment, you are affirming that it is wholly your own work – expect where correctly referenced – and has not been previously submitted for grading. Penalties will apply if it is found to be otherwise.

Remember that breaches of academic are not tolerated.