Course content

The course builds on the basic understanding of quantitative research. This course thoroughly goes through the most commonly used statistical analyses in quantitative psychological research and the most common data collection methods (questionnaire, experiment and registry data). The statistical analyzes that are reviewed mainly include ANOVA (various variants in addition to one-way, e.g. factorial/mixed), multiple regression, and exploratory factor analysis. In the review of these analyses, emphasis is on what criteria you need for choosing the appropriate statistical tests, analyses of assumptions, and additionally interpretations of the results from these tests based on the applied research design. The students will get an introduction to how they can investigate and understand interaction effects. The course also emphasizes effect sizes and statistical power.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

• The student has in-depth knowledge of quantitative research designs and statistical analyzes used within psychology.
• The student is knowledgeable of the calculations and interpretations of interaction effects, effect sizes, confidence intervals and assessment of statistical power.
• The student has fundamental knowledge of the assessment of the psychometric properties of an instrument.

Skills:

• The student can carry out all steps in the research process, from formulating a problem and deriving testable hypotheses based on the problem, collecting data, preparing datasets, handling missing data, independently justifying the choice of statistical analyses, carrying out the analyses and interpreting the results independently based on strengths and challenges of the research design.
• The student can assess statistical power and can interpret effect sizes.
• The student can report and discuss the results from the analyses and account for limitations related to the generalisation of the results.

General competence:

• The student can critically analyze and communicate relevant research, and can master methodological and statistical forms of expression.
• The student has developed a critical perspective to assess the application area of ​​various statistical tests, and knows the importance of statistical power and effect sizes.
• The student has insight into the areas of use, benefits, assumptions and limitations of the various statistical tests and quantitative methods in general.
• The student can, under supervision, carry out a quantitative research project, including data collection, analysis and presentation of the results in accordance with established practice (APA) and comply with ethical guidelines and current legislation that involves health research.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and exercises.

Compulsory assignments

• One written assignment

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

PSYK4120, PSYK4111, PSY1011, PSY1111 or the equivalent.

Credit reductions