EXAMINATION PAPER: ACADEMIC SESSION 2021-2022
Faculty Education, Health and Human Sciences
School School of Human Sciences
Level 4
MODULE TITLE Academic Skills for Psychology
MODULE CODE RESE 1171
Duration of examination Normally 90 minutes (on-campus version)
Term 1 (Main)
Examination Type Seen
List of appendices None
Instructions to candidates
Answer any three from a choice of six questions.
Word count: As per University guidelines, 1000 words correspond to 60 minutes of exam time. This means you can write up to 1500 words (excluding references). You should use approximately 500 words per question, as they carry an equal weighting of marks.
In each question, make sure you include in-text citations and any references used according to APA (7th ed.) style.
Ensure that your student ID number is clearly visible at the top of your first page. Complete your exam paper as a ‘Word’ document. Make sure that you clearly identify which question(s) you are answering and start each answer on a new page. All your exam answers must be saved in a single file. You can upload only one file.
Answer any three questions.
1. Describe the key cognitive skills required by Psychology students. Select two cognitive skills that you have developed during Term 1. Explain why you think these two skills are particularly important and how you have developed them. Provide examples of times when you have needed to use them.
2. Explain how you would conduct a literature search about psychological causal factors and treatments for anxiety disorders. Your explanation should include, with justifications, which (a) key search terms (and synonyms) you would use; which (b) databases and information sources would you search, including peer-reviewed and grey literature; and how you would use (c) Boolean operators to combine your key search terms.
3. The criteria used to identify academically reliable sources of information are: authority; objectivity and accuracy; currency and timeliness; and relevancy. Briefly explain what each of these concepts relates to. Provide illustrative examples of “reliable” and “unreliable” sources in the field of Psychology.
4. As a psychology student, what are the benefits of participating in psychological research?
5. What is plagiarism, why is it important not to plagiarise, and how might plagiarism be avoided?
6. Imagine that you have been asked to do an oral presentation on a topic of your choice. What challenges might you face in preparing and delivering this presentation and how might you overcome them?