Submissions 1 & 2: Evidence-Based Essay
Due: Submission 1 (Voluntary; not for credit) Introductory paragraph for essay 14 Sept, 2015
Due: Submission 2 (Required; 35 marks) Entire Essay: 12 October, 2015
Submit: via Turnitin on the course Blackboard site (n.b. submissions are automatically screened for
overlap with other sources (e.g. plagiarism and collusion))
Length: 1000-1500 words
Psychological research often influences society’s big (and small) debates, and the reason
that psychology is influential is because it empirically investigates the way that people think
and behave. Arguably, it is better to inform your judgements based on empirical research
rather than, for example, what some old bearded bloke tells anecdotes about in a lecture or
you read about in the media. However, psychological research is complicated and often
imperfect, and it is important to be able to understand and critically assess psychological
research in order to determine what exactly it claims and whether it is accurate in doing so.
For this assessment, we want you to write a critical evidence-based essay with regard to
your choice of one of two topics concerning factors which may interfere with safely and
effectively operating a motor vehicle.
Alternative 1: Does using a mobile phone substantially interfere with driving?
Alternative 2: Does sleep deprivation substantially interfere with driving?
