Research

The following page gives an overview of research in the School of Psychology.

• Introduction
• Research Projects

Introduction

The School of Psychology has an active research culture which encompasses a range of theoretical and epistemological approaches, in both applied and pure psychological research, with expertise in a range of methods, including experimental, quasi-experimental and qualitative research.

Current programs of research include:

• investigations of sexual and reproductive health
• decision-making in advanced technology environments
• psychometric testing
• music and dance
• speech and hearing
• the experience of people with cancer and cancer carers
• ethnicity and health
• behavioural medicine
• pedagogical practices in schools
• spirituality and subjectivity
• psychoanalytic theory and practice.

Members of the School of Psychology attract external funding for research from:

• Australian Research Council (ARC)
• Department of Education and Training (DET)
• Templeton Foundation
• Cancer Council New South Wales
• Nepean Division of General Practice
• Centre for Health Equity Training, Research and Evaluation (CHETRE)
• Harcourt Association
• American Tinnitus Association
• Australian Transportation Safety Bureau

and work with a range of industry partners including:

• Defence Science & Technology Organisation (DSTO)
• Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC)
• Karitane
• Australia Council
• Australian Caption Centre
• Westmead Hospital
• Carers New South Wales
• Cancer Council New South Wales
• Relationships Australia
• FPA Health.

Some of our staff are members of the MARCS Auditory Laboratories research centre

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Research Projects

Cognitive Features of Decision Support System Interfaces
Researchers: MW Wiggins; M Childs; GJ Fogarty
Funding Body: ARC DISCOVERY GRANTS
Period: 2006
» Fact Sheet (PDF, 42Kb)

See Hear! Multimodal Recording and Analysis Facility
Researchers:CJ Stevens; E Schubert; DA Cabrera; JA Wolfe; JR Smith; D Sen; RT Dean; DK Burnham; S Malloch; GC Paine; FA Bailes; CT Best
Funding Body: ARC Linkage Infrastructure Equipment & Facilities Grant
Period: 2006

An examination of the development, experience and construction of premenstrual symptoms: A comparative study of different relationship types and contexts
Researchers: Jane Ussher, Janette Perz, C Lee, P Nicolson, K James
Funding Body: ARC Discovery Project
Period: 2005-2007
» Fact Sheet (PDF, 145Kb)

An examination of the effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy for unemployed individuals
Researchers: J Perz, JM Ussher, Beverly Johnson
Research Partner: Centre for Health Equity Training Research and Evaluation (CHETRE)
Period: 2005

An evaluation of concerns, self-perceived needs, and supportive interventions, for informal cancer carers: A comparative study of female and male carers
Researchers: JM Ussher, PN Butow, GM Batt, KJ Sundquist, GV Wain
Research Partners: The Cancer Council, NSW; Carers NSW; Westmead Hospital
Funding Body: ARC LINKAGE PROJECT
Period: 2005-2007
» Fact Sheet (PDF, 30Kb)

Cultural influences on object naming
Researcher: Heather Winskel
Funding Body: UWS IRIS grant
Period: 2005

Intention and Serendipity: Investigating Improvisation, Symbolism and Memory in Creating Australian Contemporary Dance
Researchers: CJ Stevens; RM Grove; K Vincs; E Schubert; JM Milne-Home
Partner Organisation(s): The Australian Choreographic Centre; The Australia Council of the Arts; Australian Dance Council - Ausdance Inc; Cultural facilities Corporation
Funding Body: ARC LINKAGE
Period: 2005-2008
» Fact Sheet (PDF, 42Kb)

The development and delivery of a statewide community education and support program for carers of people with cancer in NSW
Researchers: JM Ussher, KJ Sundquist
Research Partner: The Cancer Council NSW
Funding Body: NSW HEALTH
Period: 2005-2007
» Fact Sheet (PDF, 30Kb)

Attachment styles and loneliness narratives of migrant students at University of Western Sydney
Researcher: Renu Narchal
Funding Body: UWS Seed Grant
Period: 2004-2005

Cognitive Analysis of Factors Leading to the Misinterpretation of Weather Radar Systems amongst Pilots
Researcher: MW Wiggins
Funding Body: Australian Transportation Safety Bureau Grant
Period: 2004
» Fact Sheet (PDF, 39Kb)

Descriptive Evaluation of General Aviation Pilot Performance
Researcher: MW Wiggins
Funding Body: Australian Transportation Safety Bureau Grant
Period: 2004

Loneliness narratives and attachment styles of Somali migrants in a new cultural context
Researcher: Renu Narchal
Research Partner: Migrant Resource Centre, Parramatta
Funding Body: Migrant Resource Centre
Period: 2004-2005

Cognitive Cue Analysis: Seeing the Unseen in Human Performance
Researchers: MW Wiggins; MJ Thomas; S Taylor
Partner Organisation(s): Eastern Australia Airlines Pty Limited
Funding Body: ARC Linkage Grants
Period: 2003-2005
» Fact Sheet (PDF, 41Kb)

The association between attachment style, self-policing, relationship issues and women’s premenstrual distress: A comparative study of different relationship contexts
Researchers: Jane Ussher, Janette Perz
Research Partner: Relationships Australia
Funding Body: UWS Internal Grant Scheme
Period: 2003-2005

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