Psychology as taught and practised at ACAP is an empirical, evidence based discipline. The standards for accreditation require that the students must be continuously introduced to the scientific study of psychology so as to prepare them to enter a fourth year equipped to pursue advanced studies in a wide range of topics and to design and conduct quality research in an area of their choice. They must also have developed skills in conducting a range of practical laboratory experiments.
This requires the student to design and conduct basic studies to address psychological questions. There must be the development of hypotheses which lead to the gathering and analysis of data which in turn must be interpreted and written up in formal reports.
The School of Psychological Sciences provides access to laboratory facilities, with computer access for all undergraduate students, which allows these psychological studies to be carried out. The practical component of research studies may, however, also involve the collection of data outside of laboratories, in public places and settings.
These research studies are conducted under strict ethical guidelines provided by the Australian Psychological Society.