512-220 Quantitative Methods for Psychology 2

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

512-120 and 512-121 (or equivalent).

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject comprises two units:

An Introduction to Design and Analysis for Psychological Research

Covers basic experimental and survey design for psychological research, and associated methods for data analysis. It includes: an introduction to factorial experimental designs; analysis of variance for one- and two-way completely randomized designs; single factor designs with repeated measurements; descriptive and inferential methods for bivariate observations, including correlation; an introduction to regression models; and methods for the analysis of cross-classifications. The practical classes will alternate between classes involving guidance through data analytic methods and their interpretation, and classes in one of the department's computer laboratories where the statistical package SPSS will be introduced to students.

Quantitative Approaches to Psychology

Provides an introduction to the problem of psychological measurement, the ways in which the quantification of psychological phenomena has been approached, and the role of quantitative methods in psychology. It aims to provide a critical perspective on quantitative approaches to psychology as well as an introduction to some of the core issues of psychological measurement. Topics to be covered include: the history of psychological measurement; an introduction to psychophysics and scaling; critiques of psychological measurement; an introduction to psychological tests and reliability and validity of measurement; contemporary approaches to psychological measurement.

Assessment

1 x 60 minutes exam (Design and Analysis unit) (60%); 1 x 60 minutes exam (Quantitative Approaches unit) (40%).