Handbook

Introduction to psychological inquiry is designed to provide you with an introduction to the ways in which psychological knowledge is created; more specifically, it explores the methods employed by psychologists to find answers to problems involving human behaviour.
You are introduced to different ideas about the nature of psychological knowledge, and to the main techniques for gathering data in both qualitative and quantitative modes. While the experimental approach remains dominant in many areas of psychology today, a major goal of the Unit is to broaden your knowledge of the ways in which knowledge can be generated in psychology in addition to experimental methods.
At the conclusion of this Unit, you will have developed a greater understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of a wide range of approaches and techniques used  to produce knowledge in the discipline of psychology.
This unit is designed to prepare you to undertake advanced studies in both qualitative and quantitative research methods and their application. However, even if you do not undertake a major in psychology, the Unit will help you be a critical consumer of the psychological 'knowledge' that is portrayed in the media and the self-help literature.