HELP UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
COURSE TITLE

UNDERGRADUATE THESIS 1

COURSE CODE

PSY 301

COURSE DESCRIPTION :

Students will learn how to select an appropriate topic,

conduct the literature review, and write a research proposal.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the end of the subject, students are able to:

1) understand the process of conceiving a research
question by taking into consideration past research
2) understand the different research methodologies and be
able to evaluate the strengths and limitations of each
3) understand the different statistical measures that are
available for analysing data

LEARNING OUTCOMES :

At the end of the subject, students will be able to:

1) design their very own research project
2) select the appropriate statistical test for their research
3) write up their research proposal

PREREQUISITES

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK

Advanced Quantitative Methods 1 (PSY 201), Advanced

Quantitative Methods 2 (PSY202) and Completed 54 credit
hours. Students who wish to conduct a mixed-methods
thesis study must obtain a minimum grade of B in PSY 201
AND PSY 202.

According to the topic of the thesis

SUPPLEMENTARY TEXTS:

According to the topic of the thesis

REF. SITE
LECTURER
COURSE ASSESSMENT

:
:

http://search.ebscohost.com/
Individual Supervisors All lecturers

Research Proposal
Part 1: Written Report (70%) (Quant: 2000 words max,
Mixed Methods: 3000 words max)
Please note that the research proposal
a. Introduction/Lit review
and Oral Presentation will be assessed
b. Methodology (Proposed Research Method and
by the supervisor (which accounts for
Statistical Analysis)
c. References
40% of the marks) and an assigned
co-marker (which accounts for 60%
of the marks).
Part 2: Oral Defence (30%)
In order to complete the subject, students are also required
to complete a presentation of their research proposal at the
Oral Defence to be scheduled on Week 5-6 of the 2nd Thesis
Semester (See Thesis Schedule on page 2). Attendance at
1
PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2

HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
the Oral Defence is COMPULSORY. Absentees without
medical certificate will be given an automatic zero mark
AND will be considered as having failed the module.
CREDIT HOURS

Four

CONTACT HOURS

Suggested number of contact hours with the supervisor = 6

hours (please note that students may be meeting the
supervisor in groups)

THESIS SCHEDULE

The thesis duration is divided into 3 semesters. Altogether, a

student has ONE YEAR to complete the thesis (i.e. Thesis 1 AND
Thesis 2). Please note that once you start your sem 1, you are required
to complete semester 2 and 3 subsequently i.e. you MUST register in
Sem 1 and Sem 3. This is NOT OPTIONAL. IF YOU FAIL TO
REGISTER, YOU ARE AUTOMATICALLY CONSIDERED TO
HAVE FAILED THE MODULE. You will not be given any extension
for your thesis i.e. you will have to complete the thesis within 3
semesters. Each semester is about 14 weeks. The 3 semesters will
involve the following:
1st Thesis Semester
Official Registration for PSY301
Supervisor Allocation
Topic Selection
Preparation of Proposal
Research Design Confirmation Meeting (Week 8-short sem,
Week 14-long sem)
2nd Thesis Semester
Proposal due on Week 4
Oral Defense on Week 5-6 (Remedial Defense Week 8)
ERB application due after Oral Defense (ERBs due on the first
Monday of every month)
3rd Thesis Semester
Official Registration for PSY313
Piloting and Data Collection upon successful ERB approval for the
study
Data Input and Analysis
Thesis 2 Write Up
Thesis 2 presentation during Colloquium

2
PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2

HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THESIS:

Thesis-related information will be posted on MyAcel. There will be occasional changes to the document
posted. Hence it is the responsibility of ALL STUDENTS TO ACCESS MYACEL REGULARLY TO
KEEP UP WITH THESIS MATTERS.

Appeal for an extension WILL NOT be entertained under normal circumstances. Application for extension
due to extenuating circumstances will be considered by a panel which meets one month before the end of
each Thesis semester. Applications for extension due to extenuating circumstances MUST be submitted
before the panel meets. Documental evidence must be attached to support application for extension. The
panel will not consider cases without documental evidence.

The criteria to start thesis is the completion of (i.e. obtaining at least a grade of D in) ALL year 2 core
subjects. Students who do not meet this requirement cannot start the thesis process.

YOU MUST REGISTER IN THESIS SEMESTER 1 AND 3. If YOU FAIL TO REGISTER, YOU
ARE AUTOMATICALLY CONSIDERED TO HAVE FAILED THE MODULE.

ERB approval MUST be obtained prior to any data collection (including pilot study). Failure to adhere to
this rule will result in a FAIL grade

The final date for submission of your thesis proposal is ONE (1) WEEK from the original submission datewith a deduction of 2% per day for late submission (not including weekends).

In cases of having obtained an F grade for PSY 301:

IF YOU FAIL PSY 301 (UNDERGRADUATE THESIS 1), YOU MUST RE-REGISTER FOR PSY
301 THE FOLLOWING SEMESTER, MAKE PAYMENT AND REPEAT EITHER ONE OR TWO
SEMESTERS (YOU WILL BE EMAILED/CALLED ABOUT OPTING TO REPEAT EITHER
ONE OR TWO SEMESTERS OF THESIS 1).

IF YOU OPT TO CHANGE SUPERVISORS, YOU MUST SUBMIT NEW SUPERVISOR

PREFERENCES IN SEM 1 BY THE DEADLINE STIPULATED. IF YOU CHOOSE TO REMAIN
WITH THE SAME SUPERVISOR, YOU NEED NOT SUBMIT THE LIST OF PREFERENCES,
BUT YOU MUST NOTIFY YOUR SUPERVISOR AND THE THESIS ADMIN COORDINATOR
OF YOUR INTENTION TO CONTINUE UNDER HIS/HER SUPERVISION.

YOU MUST PASS PSY 301 BEFORE MOVING INTO PSY 313 UNDERGRADUATE THESIS 2 IN
THESIS SEM 3. ONCE YOU PASS THESIS 1, YOU MAY NOT CHANGE THE TOPIC/METHOD
OF YOUR STUDY FOR YOUR THESIS 2 SUBMISSION

3
PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2

HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
Research Design Review Form
Name:
Student ID:
Supervisor:
Title of Project:
Quantitative or Mixed Methods:
Please fill in the following sections and bring two copies to the Research Design Confirmation Meeting:
Key Articles
(please cite a few
key journal articles
that were used / will
be used in your
literature review)
Design

IVs / DVs /
Correlational
Variables
(whichever
applicable)
Scales of
Measurement

Hypotheses

Proposed Statistical
Test(s) /
Proposed
Qualitative
Methodology
Note: the section on Qualitative Methodology only applies to students who have been approved to conduct mixed-methods
research
Please also note that a confirmation of your research design during the Research Design Confirmation Meeting does not
mean that the committee agrees with your justifications for the research (e.g. your hypotheses may be measurable and the
design and the suggested statistical analyses may be appropriate, but if your hypotheses are not justified by previous
literature, this will still be reflected in your research proposal marks). The Research Design Confirmation Meeting only
acts as a review process to ensure that students are on the right track with their research design / methods.
4
PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2

HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
PSY 301 Undergraduate Thesis 1 - New Processes
Two new thesis processes have been introduced to PSY 301, effective from the August 2014 semester
onwards, for students in their 2nd Semester of PSY 301 (i.e. the Thesis Sem 2 batch)
1. Remedial Defence
A new Remedial Defence component has been introduced for PSY 301. This only applies to students who have
passed the proposal but failed the defence, and have as a result failed PSY 301 overall (i.e. computed proposal
and defence marks = less than 50%).
Any students in this situation will be given the opportunity to attend a Remedial Defence in week 8
(approximate). After this defence, if the students computed proposal and remedial defence marks are now over
50%, the student will pass PSY 301, with their grade capped at a D.
**note: this Remedial Defence component does not apply to students who have passed the proposal, failed the
defence, but have an overall computed mark of over 50%.
Approximate Timeline
(Subject to change; students should refer to the PSY 301 elearning page for exact proposal and defence dates)
Week 4 Friday Deadline for Proposal
Week 5-6 Defence
Week 8 Students who have passed their proposal but failed their defence, and as a result failed PSY 301
overall will be contacted to attend the Remedial Defence.
2. Repeating PSY 301
In past semesters, students who have received an F grade for PSY 301 had to re-enrol for PSY 301 in its
entirety (i.e. two semesters). Effective from the August 2014 semester, students who receive an F grade for PSY
301 will only have to re-enrol for PSY 301 for the duration of one semester.
Sample Timeline
May 2014 Student enrols for PSY 301
August 2014 Student is still enrolled for PSY 301, submits the proposal and attends a defence. Student
obtains an F grade.
Jan 2015 Student re-enrols for PSY 301, submits the proposal and attends a defence. Student passes PSY 301.
May 2015 Student enrols for PSY 313.
**note: the deadline for the proposal is typically on Week 4 Friday. As such, students repeating PSY 301 have
to be mindful of these deadlines and submit their proposal + attend the defence according to the same timelines
as students who are attempting PSY 301 for the first time.
***In the event that any student who has failed PSY 301 prefers to re-enrol for PSY 301 for the usual period of
2 semesters (e.g. in instances where the student wishes to make major changes to their design or submit their
preferences for a new semester), this can be done as well. Please inform the department of such a decision so
that the necessary arrangements can be made.
5
PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2

HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
Thesis Semester

Activity

1st Semester
Weeks 1-6

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

1st Semester
Weeks 7-14
6.
7.
8.
9.

nd

2 Semester
Weeks 1-3

Register for PSY 301

Indicate Supervisor Preferences
Receive Supervisor Allocations
Conduct Literature Review
Research Question
Establish a regular meeting
schedule with supervisor
Continue Lit Review
Define constructs
Operationalize constructs
Hypotheses (Max 5)
Suggest a selection of
measurement tools/material to
use( including academic
rationale)- Write to authors
for permission to use tools, if
necessary
Suggest sample/sampling
technique(s)
Suggest Research Methodology
Suggest Statistical Tests
Research Design
Confirmation Meeting (Week
14).

1. Write the Proposal Draft

2. Finalize Proposal Draft

Supervisor role
To brief students on the
overview and objectives of this
project and give explanations on:
Aims, Objectives, Requirements,
Assessment, Timeline (in
groups; size at the supervisors
discretion)
To help students decide on their
thesis area as well as thesis topic.
To guide the students in 1-8, but
not provide the answers directly
e.g. what stats to use

Provide feedback and

recommendation on draft

Students role
Read thesis-related documents.
Make appointments and meet with
supervisor to discuss potential thesis
topics and research questions.
Submit an A4 summary of research
question(s), aims of study and
implications of study + a preliminary
list of main references.
Provide supervisor with a written
summary of the activities completed
(See the Activity Column). Write
Proposal Draft on Week 12-14.
To be prepared in advanced in order to
raise any questions and concerns they
have during meetings with their
supervisor.
To check with supervisors if the thesis
is progressing in the right direction.
Students should not expect the
supervisors to do their thesis for them
(this would include planning,
conducting and writing of any part of
the study).

Submit draft according to deadline

stipulated by lecturer.
Follow-up on permission to use tools
(again, only if necessary)
6

PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2

HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
Thesis Semester

Activity

2nd Semester
Weeks 4-6

1. Submit Thesis Proposal

2. Preparation for Oral Defense
3. Oral Defense

2nd Semester
Weeks 7-8

2nd Semester
Weeks 9-14

Supervisor role
To arrange for oral defense slot
with second markers after
receiving students email request
for an oral defense session
To guide students for defense i.e.
presentation slides and mock
Q/A
Discuss comments during
defense

Students role
To email supervisor for oral defense
date, time and venue. Supervisors will
only arrange for the oral defense after
receiving the students email.
Set appointment if student needs a
mock defense
Amend proposal according to feedback
and recommendations given during
defense

To guide students through ERB

application process

Complete ERB form properly

Check that students are well

prepared to run the research,
particularly if ERB is
conditional. All conditions have
to be fulfilled before students
can commence on pilot study.
To guide students through
piloting processes and data
collection
Provide official letter to certify
that the student is a HELP
University student currently
conducting a study in partial
fulfilment of a degree (optional
and as required).

Supervisors approval required

prior to commencing pilot study.
Conduct pilot study.
Note and discuss proposed changes
following pilot study
Prepare all necessary materials for data
collection.

Prepare ERB application

Continue with Pilot Study/Data

Collection

7
PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2

HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION:
Late submissions are subject to a deduction of 2 marks per day (not inclusive of weekends). Please submit two copies of your paper with the new
format cover page and declaration (samples can be found on the PSY 301 elearning site under information for your batch). The format of your paper
should be:
Page 1: PSY 301 Undergraduate Thesis Marking Scheme (write your name as well as the names of your supervisor & co-marker in the space provided)
Page 2: PSY 301 Oral Defense Marking Scheme
Page 3: Cover page
Page 4: Declaration (please read note below for information on the declaration page)
Page 5 onwards: Thesis Proposal
*Appendices MUST include: the Turnitin original receipt.
The PSY 301 Undergraduate Thesis Proposal & Oral Defense Marking Schemes can be found at the end of this course outline document.

Department of Psychology Declaration

Please note that from Aug 2010 semester onwards, all students submitting their thesis proposal/thesis are required to sign and attach the HELP
University Department of Psychology Declaration to their thesis proposal/thesis. Please use the sample available on the PSY 301 elearning page to
format your cover page and declaration page (the red text are the ones you will need to personalize/edit while the black text is standard for every studentDO NOT EDIT THE BLACK TEXT). These two documents (cover page & declaration page) MUST BE ATTACHED to your thesis proposal/thesis
and the declaration page MUST BE SIGNED for your thesis proposal/thesis to be accepted.
*The extenuating circumstances panel will meet 1 month before the thesis deadline. All applications for extenuating circumstances MUST be
submitted before the committee meets. Please refer to PSY301 course outline under RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THESIS as well as the
Protocol for Thesis Extension document posted on the elearning page for information on what constitutes grounds for thesis extension
application

8
PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2

HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
HELP Department of Psychology 3rd Year Undergraduate Thesis Grading Scheme
Marks
90-100
85-90

Grade
A
A-

Description

thoroughly exceptional work

comprehensive coverage of material
well integrated and accurate
thorough critical evaluation
extensive insight into theoretical issues
excellent understanding and application of research methods
excellent understanding and application of statistics
originality of research idea; has the potential to be published

80-84
75-79

B+
B

a good work
sufficient coverage of material
sufficiently integrated and accurate
effective critical evaluation
some insight into theoretical issues
good understanding and application of research methods
good understanding and application of statistics
well-structured

70-74
65-69
60-64

BC+
C

a fair report
evidence of wide reading but lacks coverage of relevant material
some integration demonstrated with accuracy
demonstration of some evaluative edge
most arguments are developed but lacks theoretical basis.
sufficient understanding and application of research methods
sufficient understanding and application of statistics
structure is clear

55-59
50-54

CD

a reasonable report
little evidence of wide reading; limited in scope
lacks integration
lacks critical evaluation
arguments not developed; no theoretical basis
basic understanding and application of research methods
basic understanding and application of statistics
demonstrate some structure
attempts to write a report
little coverage of relevant material
extreme lack of integration; at most a summary of unrelated studies
no demonstration of critical evaluation
lacks any academic argument; poor awareness of theories
poor understanding and inaccurate application of research methods
poor understanding and inaccurate application of statistics
disorganize

0-49

9
PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2

HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
Name:
___________________________
Supervisor: ___________________________
Co-Marker: ___________________________
PSY 301 Undergraduate Thesis 1 Research Proposal Marking Scheme (QUANTITATIVE)
Summary
A brief description of studys aim and methodology
/5
Introduction
Review of literature
Clear and accessible outline of theoretical framework
Recent relevant past research cited and evaluated
Evidence of critical appraisal
Aims and/or hypotheses clearly stated
The originality of the idea as valid and distinctive.
/60
Justification & derivation of the idea.
Structure, sequence, style, including grammar and spelling
Method
Research Method/Design
Sample/Sampling Technique(s)
Materials
Procedures
Pilot
Statistical analyses
/30
Appropriate study design
Originality
Justification i.e. rationale for the suggested research methods and statistical analyses
Style, including grammar and spelling
References
References complete
excellent
good
fair
poor/missing
Presentation/Format
/5
Appendices complete
excellent
good
fair
poor/missing
Compliance with guidelines
excellent
good
fair
poor/missing
Adherence to word limit
excellent
good
fair
poor/missing
Supervisor (40%)
Co-marker (60%)
Note: Marks for language and grammar are already
Initials:
included in each of the subsections.
Mark:

10
PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2

HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
Name:
___________________________
Supervisor: ___________________________
Co-Marker: ___________________________
PSY 301 Undergraduate Thesis 1 Oral Defense Marking Scheme (QUANTITATIVE)
PART A: Content (25%)
Students must be able to explain the main components of their proposal, which
includes:
A Aim of the study

Marks

/1

Past research (relevance, breadth & depth)

/2

Gaps in the literature

/2

Theoretical perspective(s)

/2

Clear research questions and hypotheses

/2

Integration of (b), (c), & (d) in making a consistent justification for (e)

/6

Theoretical contributions and practical implications

/2

Research methods, sample & sampling, materials, and statistical tests

/4

Justification for (h)

/4
Marks for Part A

/25
Marks

PART B: Presentation style and Q&A (25%)

Marks earned

The presentation, overall, is clear and concise

Students are able to handle 5 questions in a professional way and provide accurate
answers to the questions. Each question is scored on a scale of 0-4.
0 = not able to answer at all & 4 = clearly able to answer.
Q1
0
1
2
3
4
Q2
0
1
2
3
4
Q3
0
1
2
3
4
/20
Q4
0
1
2
3
4
Q5
0
1
2
3
4

Marks earned

/5

Marks for Part B

/25

TOTAL MARKS

/50

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

11
PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2

HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
Name:
___________________________
Supervisor: ___________________________
Co-Marker: ___________________________
PSY 301 Undergraduate Thesis 1 Research Proposal Marking Scheme (MIXED-METHODS)
Summary
A brief description of studys aim and methodology
/5
Introduction/Literature Review
Review of literature
Clear indication of the mixed-methods design to be
Clear and accessible outline of theoretical
used (sequential exploratory or sequential
explanatory)
framework
Recent relevant past research cited and evaluated
Statement of a mixed-methods research question
Evidence of critical appraisal
Justification & derivation of the idea, including
justification for conducting a mixed-methods study
Aims and/or hypotheses clearly stated
Research paradigm
over a single-methods study
The originality of the idea as valid and distinctive
Structure, sequence, style, including grammar and spelling
/60
Method Quantitative Study
Introduction
Method of analysis
Design
Appropriate study design
Sample
Originality
Materials
Justification
Pilot
Choice of method and analyses
Procedure
Style, including grammar and spelling
/15
Method Qualitative Study
Introduction
Method of analysis
Approach and Method
Approaches taken for data modification
Sample
Approaches taken to enhance validity and
Materials
reliability
Pilot
Procedure
Style, including grammar and spelling
/15
References
References complete
excellent
good
fair
poor/missing
Presentation/Format
/5
Appendices complete
excellent
good
fair
poor/missing
Compliance with guidelines
excellent
good
fair
poor/missing
Adherence to word limit
excellent
good
fair
poor/missing
Supervisor (40%)
Co-marker (60%)
Note: Marks for language and grammar are already
Initials:
included in each of the subsections.
Mark:

12
PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2

HELP UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS) PROGRAM (JAN-MAY 2015)
Name:
___________________________
Supervisor: ___________________________
Co-Marker: ___________________________
PSY 301 Undergraduate Thesis 1 Oral Defense Marking Scheme (MIXED-METHODS)
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND
Able to identify main theories/studies in chosen field
Able to identify gaps in past literature/research (critical analysis)
Clear research question(s)
Link between research question and past literature/research
Clear aim and/or hypothesis for study
Link between aim and/or hypothesis(ses) and past literature/research
Justify the reason for conducting the current study (i.e. identifying the
theoretical and/or practical implications of the current study)

Marks
/2
/2
/2
/2
/2
/3
/3

Marks for INTRODUCTION

METHODOLOGY
Appropriate sample
Appropriate sampling technique and/or method of data collection
Appropriate tools (questions/equipment for qualitative)
Justification for chosen tools (questions/equipment for qualitative)
Appropriate research method/statistical design (data analysis for qual)
Justification research method/statistical design (data analysis for qual)

/16
Marks
/1
/1
/2
/2
/2
/2

Marks for METHODOLOGY

HANDLING QUESTIONS/COMMENTS (Q/C)
Professional (not rude, not defensive)
Appropriate and relevant answers given

/10
Marks
2
2

Marks for HANDLING Q/C

/4

TOTAL MARKS

/30

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

13
PSY 301 Semester 1 & 2