EDF5794 Experimental analysis of learning and behaviour
Faculty of Education
EDF5794 Experimental analysis of learning and behaviour is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Education, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 4 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before EDF5794
Corequisites
Pass these before, or take them in the same semester.
After EDF5794
No unit lists EDF5794 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
Must be enrolled in D6015 Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis
Overview
In this unit you will explore the role that the experimental analysis of behaviour has and continues to play in the development of influential theories and principles of learning and behaviour and engage in practical experiences that will inform a practitioner-researcher model of behaviour analytic practice. The purpose of this unit is to equip you with an understanding of the methods used in an experimental analysis of learning, skills in reading and interpreting experimental research findings, the ability to design and conduct basic experiments, as well effectively report your findings. You will actively engage with published research and practically apply your learning by designing, conducting, and reporting on your own experimental analysis of learning principles to address a question of personal interest.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | Flexible |
Assessment
- Multiple-choice test 1 (1000 words or equivalent)Quiz / Test25%
- Research proposal (1000 words or equivalent)Written25%
- Multiple-choice test 2 (1000 words or equivalent)Quiz / Test25%
- Brief research report (1000 words or equivalent)Written25%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
define the experimental analysis of learning and behaviour
- 2
identify and describe different purposes for experimental research
- 3
describe the rationale, applications, and key features of research designs used within the experimental analysis of behaviour
- 4
define behavioural economics and describe key findings relating to choice, decision-making, and self-control
- 5
design a valid experiment to explore a question of personal interest
- 6
complete a brief research report on an experiment that has been conducted.
Workload and teaching
- Tutorials24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per teaching period comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study.
Usually, you can expect to engage with:
- 12 hours of scheduled learning delivered on campus via weekly/regular directed learning activities, plus 33 hours of scheduled learning delivered online via a combination of synchronous and asynchronous directed learning activities, and the remaining hours to be allocated towards self-directed/independent study
OR
- 45 hours of scheduled learning delivered online via a combination of synchronous and asynchronous directed learning activities, and the remaining hours to be allocated towards self-directed/independent study^
Scheduled learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.
^ International students studying in Australia are not permitted to undertake this scheduled learning delivery mode.
You will be provided with the opportunity to engage with relevant literature and resources. Further, you will be encouraged to deepen your understanding of topic areas through collegial discussion and debate, and by participating in activities designed to extend your understanding.
Learning resources
Recommended resources
Please visit the unit Moodle site for further information.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Russ Fox
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Russ Fox
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for EDF5794?
None, but you must take EDF5684 before or alongside it.
When is EDF5794 offered?
In 2026, EDF5794 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is EDF5794?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does EDF5794 have an exam?
No. EDF5794 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.
More details
- Credit points
- 6
- Level
- 5
- Study level
- Postgraduate
- Faculty
- Faculty of Education
- Type
- Coursework
- EFTSL
- 0.125
- Student contribution
- SCA Band 4
- Study abroad
- Not available
- Handbook years
- 20262027