Learning objectives

The course aims to provide students with an understanding of statistical concepts and the ability to conduct statistical analyses (using open source statistical packages) as used in psychological research. Topics include descriptive statistics, inferential statistics and correlational models. Basic skills will be given in designing, executing, analysing, interpreting and reporting psychological research, mainly in the organizational context. By the end of the course students will be able to: - describe and use some techniques of data collection and data analysis in psychological educational research, and report and discuss the results; - describe and use methods useful to assess the effectiveness of interventions; - develop research design, mainly in the field of organizational and educational psychology.

Prerequisites and basic notions

No specific requirements are needed.

Program

Module 1: Central Tendency and Variability
- Central tendency
- Variability
- Central tendency and variability in research articles
Module 2: Introduction to Hypothesis Testing
- Core logic of hypothesis testing
- The hypothesis-testing process
- One-tailed and Two-tailed hypothesis tests
- Hypothesis tests in research article
Module 3: Introduction to t tests and Analysis of Variance
- Independent sample t-test
- Paired sample t-test
- t-test in research articles
- Basic logic of analysis of variance
- Hypothesis testing with analysis of variance
- Analysis of variance in research articles
Module 4: Correlation and Regression
- The correlation coefficient
- Significance of correlation coefficient
- Correlation and causality
- Correlation in research article
- Simple linear regression analysis
- Multiple linear regression analysis
- Regression in research articles
Module 5: Advanced techniques (introduction)
- Effect size
- Meta-analysis
- Confidence intervals
- Power analysis
Suggested Handbooks:
Howitt, D. & Cramer, D. (2011). Introduction to Statistics in Psychology (7th Ed.). London: Pearson Education.
or
Welkowitz, J., Cohen, B. H., & Ewen, R. B. (2006). Introductory statistics for the behavioral sciences. John Wiley & Sons.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

Lessons will take place in the computer room.
Teaching methods are expected to encourage proactive involvement of students and high level of participation, thus, shall involve interactive lectures and independent learning. The interactive learning component will consist of lecture sessions, classroom exercises, and discussions. The independent learning component, on the other hand, shall include such exercises as independent reading and doing individual assignments.
It is envisaged that students will be guided to read, think, solve problems and actively participate in the learning process.

Learning assessment procedures

A written assessment, using the computer, will be proposed. Students should be able to use a spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel, free for students, or Apache OpenOffice Calc) and JAMOVI, an open source statistical packages. Starting from a given dataset, students should perform some analysis in agreement with the program of the course, and discuss the results.
Open-ended or closed-ended questions aimed at verifying theoretical knowledge will also be possible.
Subject to agreement with students, the exam may be an orale exam.

Evaluation criteria

The score in the exercises/questions will consider theoretical skills, technical skills, and the ability to interpret the results.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The final evaluation will be the sum of the scores of each exercise/question.

Exam language

Italiano English language, if requested by the students