PSY30260 Practising organisational psychology: Diagnosing and solving workplace problems

Academic Year 2021/2022

This module examines the practice of work and organisational psychology from a practitioner perspective. The purpose it to give an insight into the tools and techniques used by practitioners to approach common organisational issues. A diagnosis/assessment - intervention - outcome evaluation approach is taken to how organisational issues are resolved. The module will outline the main techniques emanating from this model - the use of job analysis and performance appraisal for resolving human resource issues, personnel selection and recruitment procedures, and training and development.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module the student will:
1. Understand the practitioner approach and process.
2. Assess the appropriateness of specific job analysis techniques.
3. Explain the effectiveness of personnel screening tests.
4. Understand the selection-recruitment process.
5. Understand how theories of learning inform training.
6. Understand how training is designed and delivered.

Indicative Module Content:

Course consists of face-to-face lectures followed by practice-based activities (this may change based on public health advice re COVID-19):

1. Overview of the practice of work and organisational psychology.
2. Job analysis and practical completion of a job analysis interview by each student.
3. Performance Appraisal and in-class experiential exercises utilising two performance appraisal techniques.
4. Selection and Recruitment and in-class mock recruitment/selection exercise.
5. Training and Development and in-class stress management training.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20

Seminar (or Webinar)

2

Autonomous Student Learning

103

Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module uses a number of approaches.
The main method is weekly face-to-face lectures and online seminar(s) (this may change based on public health advice re COVID-19).
Students are encouraged to engage with recommended materials - readings, videos, podcasts, and case studies.
Practical applications will be explored through class participation. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Classes will be conducted on the presumption that students have completed PSY20130: Introduction to Work and Organisational Psychology or a similar module


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: End of semester exam 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded Yes

60

Assignment: 2000 word assignment based on completion of Job analysis interview Week 6 n/a Graded Yes

40


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

On completion of grading, students will be sent individual feedback by email. Feedback will be provided within 20 days of submission date. Group feedback will be given in the subsequent lecture.

Recommended Text (in UCD Library):

Spector, Paul (2019). Industrial & Organizational Psychology: Research & Practice, 7th Edn. New York: John Wiley & Sons.

OR

Conte, Jeffrey M., & Landy, Frank J. (2019). Work in the 21st Century: An Introduction to Industrial & Organizational Psychology, 6th Edn. John Wiley & Sons.



Recommended Online Text (available UCD library)

Truxillo, D.M., Bauer, T.N., & Erdogan, B. (2016). Psychology and Work: Perspectives on Industrial & Organizational Psychology. New York: Routledge.

Fraccaroli, Franco, and Sverke, Magnus (2017). An Introduction to Work and Organizational Psychology: An International Perspective, Third Edition. John Wiley & Sons.


ebooks
Conte, Jeffery M., & Landy, Frank J. (2018). Work in the 21st Century: An Introduction to Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 6th Edition. John Wiley & Sons.
ISBN: 978-1-119-49344-0

Spector, Paul E. (2019). Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Research and Practice, 7th edition. John Wiley & Sons.
EISBN: 1119299047
EISBN-13:9781119299042


Earlier editions of these texts are available in the library and will cover the material on this course.