The research project, leading to the honours thesis, represents a significant proportion of the workload in the Honours program and will contribute 50% of the students’ final mark. The primary aim of this part of the Honours program is to develop students’ skills as researchers. The research project also represents an opportunity for students to learn, in depth, about a particular topic area in psychology. Students will have the opportunity to conduct empirical research within a range of broad topics. The focus of the project will develop (at least to some extent) as a function of the Supervisor’s areas of expertise and interest.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Plan and engage in an independent and sustained critical investigation of a chosen research topic to generate new knowledge in psychology.
- Systematically identify and evaluate relevant theory, concepts and practice in psychology, relate these to appropriate research and applied methodologies and evidence, including in relation to cross-cultural perspectives, and draw appropriate conclusions.
- Demonstrate sufficient mastery to understand and apply relevant experimental techniques and methods in psychology to collect original research data, and to analyse and interpret original psychological research data with statistical or other analytical methods where appropriate.
- Communicate and justify complex theoretical concepts and empirical results clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Indicative Assessment
- MILESTONE 1. Presentation of Research Proposal (Hurdle) (0) [LO 1,4]
- MILESTONE 2. Mid-Course Progress Report (Hurdle) (0) [LO 1,2,4]
- MILESTONE 3. Major Data Collection and Data Analyses Complete (Hurdle) (0) [LO 3,4]
- MILESTONE 4. Thesis draft submitted to Supervisor (Hurdle) (0) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- 8,000 to 10,000 Word Research Thesis (100) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester per 6 units of enrolment. All students will enrol in this course for 12 units in each of two consecutive semesters (total 24 units).
Inherent Requirements
No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this course.
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the School of Medicine and Psychology to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
Please refer to the Learning Management System (LMS).
Assumed Knowledge
Students must be active in the Psychology Honours specialisation PSYC-HSPC and have completed the APAC-accredited undergraduate sequence.
You will need to contact the School of Medicine and Psychology to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 4B
- Unit value:
- 6 to 24 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
| 7.00 | 0.14583 |
| 8.00 | 0.16667 |
| 9.00 | 0.18750 |
| 10.00 | 0.20833 |
| 11.00 | 0.22917 |
| 12.00 | 0.25000 |
| 13.00 | 0.27083 |
| 14.00 | 0.29167 |
| 15.00 | 0.31250 |
| 16.00 | 0.33333 |
| 17.00 | 0.35417 |
| 18.00 | 0.37500 |
| 19.00 | 0.39583 |
| 20.00 | 0.41667 |
| 21.00 | 0.43750 |
| 22.00 | 0.45833 |
| 23.00 | 0.47917 |
| 24.00 | 0.50000 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $820 per unit |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $1170 per unit |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 units | ||||||
| 4114 | 23 Feb 2026 | 02 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | In Person | N/A |
| 24 units | ||||||
| 4115 | 23 Feb 2026 | 02 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | In Person | N/A |
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 units | ||||||
| 9053 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |
| 24 units | ||||||
| 9054 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |