512-320 Research Methods 3

Students can complete 620-371 Linear Models as an alternative to 512-320 Research Methods 3.

512-220 (or equivalent)

In this subject students acquire the design and analysis skills needed to undertake psychological research studies of realistic complexity. The subject builds on studies in 512-220 Quantitative Methods for Psychology 2, emphasising the design and measurement issues involved in research designs with multiple independent variables. Topics will be selected from the nature of designed experiments; planned and post-hoc comparisons; the analysis of trend; statistical power and effect size; repeated measures designs; factorial experiments with mixed between-subjects and within-subjects treatment factors; and multiple regression. The subject also introduces the analysis of multivariate data using factor analysis.

On completion of this subject, students should be able to: design and analyse a multifactor experiment to test a set of research hypotheses; assess the relationships that exist within a set of psychological data and develop a quantitative model that expresses those relationships; identify strengths and weaknesses in the design and analysis of research in the psychological literature; carry out a range of data-analytic tasks in univariate and multivariate settings using the statistical package SPSS.

One three-hour examination (95%) and three homework exercises (5%).

Each piece of assessment must be completed (hurdle requirement).

Attendance at 80% or more of the laboratory classes is a hurdle requirement. In case of failure to meet the hurdle requirement, additional work will be required before a passing grade can be awarded.