PSYC206-23SU2 (D) Summer Nov 2023 start (Distance)

Introductory Research Methods and Statistics

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 13 November 2023
End Date: Sunday, 17 December 2023
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 19 November 2023
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 3 December 2023

Description

This course is an introduction to the theory and application of research design and statistics in psychology. For psychological science, understanding good research design and how to interpret statistical results are key for making rational decisions on the basis of research and data. The course will emphasise the concepts of valid and reliable research, research ethics, and the interpretation of statistical results using real-life examples from the psychological literature. An important theme is that anyone can learn statistics - no math beyond basic algebra is required and you are not required to hand-calculate the statistical outputs. Instead, the focus of the statistical content of the course will be on interpreting outputs from software such as MS Excel and jamovi. This course is a prerequisite to advancing in psychology beyond PSYC 200-level.

This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of statistics in psychology. For psychological science, statistics is a framework for making rational decisions on the basis of data. The course will emphasise the concepts and logic underlying statistics, and provide worked-through examples that illustrate those concepts. An important theme is that anyone can learn statistics - no maths beyond basic algebra is required! There is a laboratory component that will give you practical experience with using MS Excel and statistical software (jamovi).

Learning Outcomes

  • On successfully passing this course, students will be able to:

  • Characterise data using descriptive statistics and graphical methods
  • Display and interpret relationships between variables in scatterplots
  • Calculate and interpret standardised scores (Z scores)
  • Calculate and interpret the correlation coefficient
  • Use regression to make predictions based on the relationship between two variables
  • Understand the logic of null hypothesis testing, significance testing, and statistical power
  • Calculate and interpret results of t tests and one-way ANOVA
  • Understand the concepts behind common research designs in the social sciences
  • Use computer software to conduct statistical tests and analyse data

Prerequisites

At least 15 points in 100-level Psychology and at least 45 points overall

Course Coordinator

Elizabeth Nkhwazi

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Weekly online quizzes 10%
Lab activities 10%
Written assignment 20%
Test #1: short answer 30%
Test #2: short answer 30%

Textbooks / Resources

Required Texts

Navarro DJ and Foxcroft DR; Learning statistics with jamovi: a tutorial for psychology students and other beginners ; 7th; 2019 (Open source textbook available from: https://www.learnstatswithjamovi.com/).

Recommended Reading

Aron, A., Aron, E. N., & Coups, E. J; Statistics for psychology ; 6th; Boston, MA: Pearson Education, 2013.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $916.00

International fee $4,750.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing .

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