Handbook

This course forms part of the Graduate Certificate in Child Development (7419), providing students with knowledge about the characteristics of the scientific method in general, with a particular focus on experimental methodology, experimental design , and data analysis in the behavioural sciences. It provides a comprehensive foundation in critical thinking, enabling students to understand and critically evaluate published research, and discriminate between evidence-based information and pseudoscience. This includes a background in the design and execution of empirical studies, a basic understanding of statistics and its function in scientific research, the interpretation of experimental findings, and the ability to evaluate conclusions and extrapolate their implications in broader contexts. Students will explore different methodological approaches and data collection and analytic techniques via online lectures and discussion, as well as gaining practical experience in experimental design and the critical evaluation of research. This course is appropriate for students with and without a background in science and is taught entirely online via lectures, tutorials (synchronous and asynchronous options), self-paced learning modules, readings and revision exercises.