Introductory description

This module complements PS114 Research Methods in Psychology. It provides an introduction to the skills and knowledge necessary for psychological investigation and the statistical analysis of psychological research data.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

1 Introduction and Experimental Design
2 Qualitative Descriptive Statistics
3 Quantitative Descriptive Statistics
4 Probability distributions
5 Hypothesis Testing Overview
6 Tests for One Sample
7 Tests for Two Related Samples
8 Tests for Two Unrelated Samples
9 Correlation
10 Review

1 Regression
2 Chi-square
3 Oneway analysis of variance: Introduction
4 Oneway analysis of variance: Calculation
5 Factorial analysis of variance
6 Repeated measures analysis of variance
7 Ethics
8 Observation techniques
9 Non-parametric methods
10 Overview of Term 2 material

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Be able to understand and demonstrate knowledge of experimental design, ethics, and perform a range of quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods.
• Increase in numeracy and analytic skills.
• The ability to formulate and test hypotheses.

Indicative reading list

Essential course text
Howell, D. C. (2008). Fundamental statistics for the behavioral sciences (6th ed.). Belmont , CA : Thomson Wadsworth . (or a more recent edition of this text)
Also highly recommended is:
Nunn, J. (Ed.) (1998). Laboratory psychology: A beginner's guide. Hove , UK: Psychology Press.

Other useful sources
Harris, P. (2002). Designing and reporting experiments in psychology. Buckingham: Open University Press.
Mulberg, J. (2002). Figuring figures: An introduction to data analysis. Harlow , UK: Pearson Education.
Robson, C. (1993). Real world research. Oxford , UK: Blackwell.
Rosnow, R. L., & Rosnow, M. (2001). Writing papers in psychology. Belmont , CA : Wadsworth .

Subject specific skills

an ability to present, evaluate and interpret quantitative data
the design of factorial experiments, and factorial analysis of variance
a familiarity with the basic aspects of the most common research approaches to Psychology, including statistical analyses;

Transferable skills

evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems related to their area(s) of study and/or work
communicate the results of their study/work accurately and reliably
demonstrate techniques for displaying data