PSYC311 Quantitative Methods

Design and analysis of psychological experiments.

In this paper, students learn how to analyse research data using the general linear model. This model is the basis for most commonly used statistical techniques in psychological research, including analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation and regression. Students will gain a conceptual understanding of what the model is, how it is used to analyse data and what it teaches us about how research studies should be designed in the first place.

Paper title	Quantitative Methods
Paper code	PSYC311
Subject	Psychology
EFTS	0.15
Points	18 points
Teaching period	Semester 1 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD)	$1,141.35
International Tuition Fees	Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.

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Prerequisite

((PSYC 201 and PSYC 202) or (PSYC 201 and PSYC 210 and PSYC 212) or (PSYC 202 and PSYC 211) or (PSYC 210 and PSYC 211 and PSYC 212)) and (STAT 110 or STAT 115)

Schedule C

Arts and Music, Science

Notes

For Neuroscience students the prerequisite is PSYC210 and (STAT110 or STAT115).

Contact

jeffrey.miller@otago.ac.nz

More information link

View more information on the Department of Psychology's website

Teaching staff

Professor Jeff Miller

Paper Structure

Topics:

• Analysis of experimental data: analysis of variance
  • Describing experimental designs
  • Analysis of between-subjects designs: one-way, two-way, three-way, etc
  • Analysis of within-subjects designs (repeated-measures): one-way, two-way, three-way, etc
  • Analysis of mixed designs
• [In-class test]
• Regression
• Correlation and simple regression
  • Scattergrams
  • Fitting a predictive model
  • Hypothesis testing
  • Inferences about causality
  • Regression toward the mean
  • Multiple regression
  • Fitting a multiple-regression model
  • Testing the full model
  • Testing individual terms in the model: the extra sum of squares principle
  • Model selection procedures (all possible, forward, backward, stepwise)
• Dummy variable regression and analysis of covariance
  • Effects coding
  • Using dummy variables to perform ANOVA
  • Relationship of dummy variable regression to ANOVA
  • Dummy variable regression for ANOVA with unequal cell sizes
  • The mechanics of ANCOVA
  • ANCOVA for error reduction
  • ANCOVA for statistical control

Required Calculator: Students require calculators for this paper. For the test and examination, students may use any calculator without communication capabilities.

Assessment:

• Weekly homework exercises 20%
• Computer competency exam 5%
• Test 25%
• Final examination 50%

Teaching Arrangements

Three 1-hour lectures per week, with an optional additional 1-hour tutorial per week.

Textbooks

Required Reading:
Miller, J., & Haden, P. (2013). Statistical analysis with the general linear model

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Communication, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the paper will demonstrate the ability to understand, apply and interpret advanced statistical techniques used in scientific research in psychology.

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