RESM6010 Applied Research Methods: Statistical Analysis of Comparisons & Group Differences

Module Overview

Aims and Objectives

Module Aims

The Applied Research Methods Modules cover the common needs for training in research methods and statistics of all students in their first year of postgraduate study in psychology. As one of a series of research units, it provides trainees with knowledge and skills to develop proficiency in the Health Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Proficiency (SOP). This module focuses on statistical methods used to compare data collected under different conditions. Emphasis is placed on Analysis of Variance (ANOVA, ANCOVA, repeated measures ANOVA, and MANOVA). The sessions cover both concepts (e.g. hypothesis testing effect size) and hands-on experience with relevant statistical analyses using SPSS.

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Analyse quantitative data in SPSS appropriately using: Simple, Factorial, Repeated measures and Mixed Model ANOVAs, ANCOVA, or their non-parametric alternative
Critique published reports that employ analysis of variance in psychology
Determine the appropriate data analytic technique to use with different research designs
Design effective research studies using between groups and repeated measures designs

Syllabus

• T-tests, One way ANOVA and non-parametric equivalents • Factorial ANOVA • Repeated measures ANOVA and mixed model ANOVA • ANCOVA • MANOVA

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Each three-hour weekly session is a combination of lecture and hands-on practical application. Formal lecture is kept to a minimum, with an emphasis on developing a workshop atmosphere through the creative use of a variety of practical exercises. The practical exercises include guided small group exercises (e.g. designing experiments to test certain hypotheses, article critiques (e.g., to discuss suitability of data analysis), statistical analysis and interpretation of results based on existing datasets (e.g., various forms of ANOVA). A variety of e-learning resources relevant to the course are available on Blackboard. These include recordings of lectures, copies of in-class assignments and exercises, datasets for analysis, online tutorials, a research methods and statistics glossary, and links to online statistics and research methods textbooks.

Type	Hours
Supervised time in studio/workshop	5
Wider reading or practice	15
Preparation for scheduled sessions	10
Completion of assessment task	60
Lecture	10
Total study time	100

Resources & Reading list

Field, A. (2009). Discovering Statistics Using SPSS.

Pituch and Stevens (2015). Applied Multivariate Statistics for the Social Sciences: Analyses with SAS and IBM's SPSS.

Cumming and Calin-Jageman (2017). Introduction to the new statistics.

Howitt and Cramer (2013). Introduction to Statistics in Psychology.

Howell (2012). Statistical Methods for Psychology, International Edition.

Assessment

Summative

Method	Percentage contribution
Analysis and report	100%

Referral

Method	Percentage contribution
Coursework assignment(s)	%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External

Linked modules

One of the pre-requisites for PSYC8042