| Unit name | Psychological Statistics and Research Tools |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PSYCM0041 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Stollery |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
n/a |
| Co-requisites |
n/a |
| School/department | School of Psychological Science |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
The central aim of this unit is to extend coverage of the research tools psychologists will encounter during their literature search, research and psychological assessment activities, focusing on multivariate methods to structure large sets of variables and their relationships. The unit is designed to update and extend students’ knowledge and understanding of generic analysis methods routinely used in psychological investigations, covering topics from more complex forms of multi-factor mixed samples analysis of variance (ANOVA) and analysis of variance with covariance (ANCOVA), to calculation and reporting of effect size and study power, and by extension meta-analysis techniques. Students will also be introduced to state-of-the art computational modelling and programming techniques (e.g., Structural Equation Modelling) and recent advances in non-frequentist statistical reasoning (Bayesian statistical analysis); an approach becoming more prominent in psychology. Each session dealing with theoretical-conceptual issues is supported by a practical session where experience with the relevant software for conducting these analysis is undertaken. The aim is to provide a firm foundation for understanding how the variety of analysis tools currently being used in psychology can be integrated and to introduce students to statistical techniques likely to become more prevalent in the future. The unit finishes with a coursework clinic for each of the forms of analysis to aid in the comprehension of the technique and a final reading week when coursework is submitted.
On completion of the unit, the students will:
Teaching consist of a blend of lectures and practical experience within the software environment given by research active academic staff who use the analysis software as part of their research. Before submission of the coursework, students be able to attend an advice clinic on each of the statistical techniques to enable them to fully appreciate the requirements of an APA submission in their chosen area and/or gain further clarification of the analysis techniques that have been covered. The final week of the unit will free of teaching to enable students to fully focus on their submission. The unit includes 48 hours of scheduled lectures and lab work.
The unit is assessed by coursework (100%).
Student are given a study description and a complex set of numerical data and have to determine the appropriate analysis, undertake this analysis, and report the findings from the study in the APA (American Psychological Association) format; such as would be found in an APA research paper describing the study (2,000 words maximum).
