Cradle Coast, Hobart, Launceston, Online
Introduction
In today’s information-rich world it is essential to be able to interpret and critically evaluate empirical and popular reports of psychological research, as well as research findings more broadly. We need to be able to recognise the characteristics of valid research, to understand what distinguishes trustworthy reporting from biased and misleading reporting, and to communicate the findings from psychological and other research in a clear, accessible and unbiased way. In this unit you will explore foundational concepts of research methods, research design and research ethics that will help you interpret and critically evaluate psychological research. You will learn how to use library and web resources to locate relevant, reliable and valid evidence about psychological findings and theories. You will also learn skills to help you summarise conceptual and numerical information in a clear, concise and accessible manner for a range of audiences. The skills gained in this unit are powerful and readily transferable to many of today’s workplaces and they provide a solid foundation for further study in psychology.
Summary
| Unit name | Transferable Skills in Psychology |
| Unit code | PSY111 |
| Credit points | 12.5 |
| College/School | Health School of Psychological Sciences |
| Discipline | Psychology |
| Coordinator | Associate Professor Michael Garry |
| Available as an elective? | Yes |
| Delivered By | University of Tasmania |
| Level | Introductory |
Availability
Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August
Key Dates
| Study Period | Start date | Census date | WW date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 21/2/2027 | 15/3/2027 | 18/4/2027 | 12/6/2027 |
* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).
Unit census dates currently displaying for 2027 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2027 will be available from the 1st October 2026. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).
Learning Outcomes
- Describe the major principles that govern ethical research involving diverse populations.
- Apply information literacy skills to locate and retrieve high-quality information sources relevant to a research topic
- Identify fundamental research methods and primary variables in psychological research studies from written and verbal descriptions.
- Summarise and communicate conceptual and quantitative information using a style and language appropriate for defined audiences.
Fee Information
2027 fee information will be available in August.
Teaching
| Teaching Pattern | 1 x 2 hour Online Lecture Modules weekly, 1 x 2 hour practical class weekly, 6hrs Self-directed study weekly |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Research participation and reflection (10%)|Practical exercises (15%)|Final Exam (30%)|Written Assignment (45%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required |
You will need the following texts. Both texts are freely available online and can be downloaded as PDF files: Spielman, R.M., Jenkins, W.J. & Lovett, M.D. (2023). [eTextbook] Psychology 2e. https://openstax.org/details/books/psychology-2e Danielle J. Navarro and David R. Foxcroft, Learning Statistics with jamovi: A Tutorial for Beginners in Statistical Analysis. Cambridge, UK: Open Book Publishers, 2025, https://doi.org/10.11647/OBP.0333
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| Recommended | Additional readings may be added during the semester. These will be communicated to you by the unit coordinator. |
The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.