PSY5210 Research methods for inquiry and practice in clinical psychology

This unit is designed to build the core of your professional identity as a scientist-practitioner. Moving beyond foundational concepts, it equips you with the advanced skills to critically evaluate new evidence and effectively translate complex research into meaningful clinical practice. The central goal is to develop the sophisticated research literacy required for a career of impactful, evidence-based practice.  

The curriculum provides both a robust common foundation and pathways for specialised expertise. You will begin by developing core competencies, from reproducible data science to qualitative inquiry, before choosing advanced elective modules in areas like complex regression or specialised designs, tailoring your learning to your specific research interests.  

Learning is centred on hands-on application through streamlined, integrated workbooks using modern statistical software. Assessments are designed for professional relevance, culminating in an assessment task where you will perform a critical appraisal of a published research paper, honing the essential skill of evaluating evidence to inform clinical decision-making.