1996 Swinburne Higher Education Handbook

Objectives and Content
In this subject, students will be involved with the practical
aspects of psychometrics design, construction, validation
and evaluation of assessment techniques. The aim of this
subject is to help students to develop a greater appreciation
of the psychological and measurement foundations of tests
and other assessment procedures.
Approximately the first hour of most of the two hour
sessions will be devoted to information input and the latter
hour to laboratory exercises.
Recommended reading
Murphy, K.R. and Davidshofer, C.O. Psychological Testing:
Principles and Applications. 3rd edn, Englewood Cliffs, Prentice
Hall, 1994
* Not available to students who have previously passed
AY31 1 Methods and Measures.
*AY320 Psychological Foundations of
Counselling
2 hours per week Hawthorn Prerequisite: AY312
Assessment: a theoretical examination and a practical
interviewing skills project
A subject in the Bachelor of Arts
Equivalent value of one half-semester suhect
Objectives and Content
The nature of counselling and its relationship to guidance,
psychotherapy and other helping activities is considered.
The basic helping interview skills are introduced, drawing
upon the microcounselling model proposed by Ivey. Videoassisted
practice interviews are an important in-class activity.
Models of counselling, such as that proposed by Egan, are
discussed. Concepts from developmental psychology, social
psychology and cognitive psychology related to counselling
are considered. The evidence concerning the effectiveness of
counselling intervention is examined.
Recommended reading -
Benjamin, A. The Heping Interview. 4th edn, Boston, Houghton
Miflin, 1987
Egan, G. The Skilled Helper. 5th edn, Pacific Grove, Califonia,
1994
* Not available to students who have previously passed
AY314 Counselling and Interviewing.
AY400 Applied Social Psychology
3 hours per week Hawthorn Prerequisite: BA(Psych)
Assessment: Ckzss presentation 30%, essay 30% , test 40%
research project 60%, essay 40%
A subject in the Graduate Diploma in Applied Psychology
Objectives and Content
This subject provides an overview of contemporary
applications of social psychology in the fields of educational
psychology, cross-cultural psychology, forensic psychology
and counselling psychology, This is illustrated by an
overview of the current research and theories relevant to
practical applications of social psychology. The
methodological questions relevant to research and
measurement in social psychology are critically analysed.
Lecture materials are supplemented by interactive analyses
of classic or contemporary readings in social psycholgy,
presented in seminars following the lecture. has been divided
into two broad sections methodology and areas of
application. Methodology will include overviews of survey
research, experimental and quasi-experimental design, and
evaluation research. The applications of social psychology
will be examined. These include educational psychology,
forensic psychology and health psychology.
Recommended reading
Lesko, W. Readings in Social Psychology. 2nd edn, Needham
Heights Mass., , Allyn and Bacon 1993
Oskamp, S. Applied Social Psychology. Englewood Cliffs, New
Jersey, Prentice Hall, 1984
AY401 Research Design and Analysis
3 hours per week Hawthorn Prerequisite: nil
Assessment: practical report 50%, two class exercises 50%
A subject in the Graduate Diploma in Applied Psychology
Objectives and Content
This subject reviews research designs and tools which are
appropriate for psychological inq;iry. The major topics
covered include traditional experimental desiens. research
U ,
planning and objectives, questionnaire construction and use,
quasi-experimental designs and qualitative methodologies.
The theoretical bases of these techniques are studied, and
students are encouraged to explore solutions to the problems
of conducting psychological research. Development of skills
in resolving clinical analysis of different forms of research is
emphasised.
Recommended reading
Kerlinger, F. Foundations of Behavioural Research. 3rd edn, New
York, Holt Rinehart and Winston, 1986
Patton, M.Q. Qualititative Evaluation and Research MethoA. 2nd
edn, Newbury Park, C.A., Sage Publications, 1990
AY403 Advanced Quantitative Methods
3 hours per week Hawthorn Prerequisite: BA (Psych)
Assessment: classroom test 50%, workbook 50%: practical
report JO%, workbook 50%
A subject in the Graduate Diploma in Applied Psychology
Obiectives and Content
This subject provides a conceptual framework for
understanding multivariate analysis and interpretation of
psychological data, and an opportunity to become familiar
with the use of a range of multivariate techniques. These
include interrupted time series analysis, analysis of variance
and covariance, multiple regression analysis of variance and
covariance, multiple and logistic regression techniques,
cluster and factor analysis, discriminant function analysis,
path analysis, and structural regression techniques, cluster
and discriminant analysis, structural equation modelling.
Both lecture presentation and laboratory work involve
practical analyses of the real data sets using SPSS. Students
are expected to achieve a high level of competence in