6.1 – Project Thesis: Instructions
Monash University
| Due: | Module 6 |
| Assessment Weighting: | 40% |
| Format: | Written Document |
| Length: | 2000 words + 200 word abstract |
This assessment aligns with Unit Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6:
- Critically evaluate theoretical, methodological, and ethical issues associated with designing, conducting, and evaluating research.
- Describe and perform each stage of the research process, from formulating original research questions to interpreting and reporting results.
- Analyse data from complex research designs by performing the appropriate statistical analysis and interpreting research findings.
- Demonstrate the use of digital technologies to analyse and interpret complex data.
- Communicate scientific ideas, procedures, results, and conclusions using appropriate language and formats.
- Critically evaluate and communicate the advantages and limitations of quantitative and qualitative research approaches.
Marking Criteria | FAQs
Overview
The major written assessment for this unit involves you completing a project thesis investigating the developmental period known as emerging adulthood and is worth 40% of your overall mark.
Throughout the program, you have been engaged in a range of assessment tasks that have sought to develop your academic writing skills for how to present a clear, structured and scientific report that clearly communicates a piece of research. These are the same essential skills that are required for article publication in academic and professional journals. While you may not intend to go down the research pathway, having detailed knowledge of how such publications are put together will make you an effective consumer of the scientific literature to aid your practice of psychology within your chosen field.
For this assessment you will be an independent researcher who will have more autonomy in devising your own research question and choosing the research design and analysis that you believe would be most appropriate to study. To support you in being able to complete the study within the time we have available in the teaching period we will provide you with a dataset suitable for this project that has a versatile range of variables relating to the topic Emerging Adulthood. As the data has already been collected there are some important constraints that you need to be aware of in formulating your research question.
To fulfil the requirements of the assignment you must have:
- At least one emerging adulthood variable
- At least one of the other variables (e.g., disability identity, narcissism, self-efficacy, etc)
- At least two independent/predictor variables.
- Only one dependent variable
These requirements will ensure that your statistical analysis is one that is taught in this unit.
You are encouraged to work at a steady and consistent pace as different sections of the report will be discussed in weekly live class meetings. You will also have the opportunity to submit a Project Thesis Plan for feedback prior in Module 2. While it is not a compulsory requirement, we strongly encourage you to submit a plan for your Project Thesis as this will enable you to kick start the central elements of your study. The targeted feedback you receive will be invaluable in helping you improve your final Project Thesis assignment. Please note that the Project Thesis Plan submission deadlines are final and only one plan can be submitted. No plans will be accepted for review after the deadlines have passed except where there is grounds for a formal extension as per the special consideration process. Feedback will be based on the marking criteria (note: no mark will be provided for plans – only feedback comments). Refer to the draft submission points themselves for specific deadlines.
Preparation activities
The following module activities will help you prepare for this assessment:
| Module | Activity |
| 1 | Contribute to the article database for the Project Thesis |
| Devise your research question | |
| 2 | Discuss your experiences with the research project survey |
| Submit the Project Thesis Plan for feedback | |
| 3 | Discuss features of the method |
| Prepare the data file | |
| 4 | Run the statistical analysis |
| 5 | Discuss your interpretation of the results |
| Report the results |
Assessment guidelines
Structure
You will write up the study from the perspective of the researcher who designed and conducted the study. Your Project Thesis will consist of the following sections:
- Title page
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Method
- Results
- Discussion
- References
- Appendices – include you SPSS output for the statistical analyses
Format
You need to submit the Project Thesis Assignment as a single Microsoft Word file. The report must adhere to formatting and style requirements according to APA standards. The APA formatting style is described in the Writing Skills and Introduction to APA Style section of the GDP Campus and also in the recommended textbook by Kaufmann and Findlay. If you are in doubt about how to write, format or reference for this assessment, ask you instructor for help.
Word limit
The word limit for this assessment is 2000 words + 200 word abstract.
Starting references
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