Admission requirements
Master’s students in Psychology with a:
Basic understanding of the concepts underlying multiple regression analysis
Basic understanding of vector and matrix algebra
Description
Multilevel analysis concerns the modelling of hierarchically structured data. These kinds of data are frequently encountered in many areas of (social) scientific research. Hierarchically structured data are characterized by so-called “nested” membership relations among the units of observation. For instance, students are nested within classes, which are nested within schools, or employees are nested within departments. Traditional, “single level”, data analysis methods fail when data are hierarchically structured, because the nested structure causes intra-class correlation among the observations within units at the higher level. As a result, the assumption of independence is violated.
Multilevel analysis is a class of methods employing hierarchical linear regression models that explicitly take into account the hierarchical data structure. It provides researchers with a flexible and powerful set of tools with respect to both model formulation and hypothesis testing. Multilevel analysis proves to be statistically more precise. Also, it has been argued that multilevel models are conceptually uplifting.
Course objectives
This multilevel analysis course provides students with a basic understanding of the so called random coefficient model, which can be regarded as one of the key models in multilevel modeling. Additionally, students acquire basic skills in the application of the software package MLwiN, one of the major programs for multilevel analysis.
Timetable
Multilevel Analysis (2011-2012):
Mode of instruction
Seven lectures
Supervised computer practicals.
Assessment method
Take home exam.
Blackboard
Multilevel Analysis occasionally uses of the learning environment Blackboard . (http://blackboard.leidenuniv.nl/)
Reading list
Kreft, I, & De Leeuw, J. (1998). Introducing Multilevel Modelling. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Optional text:
Hox, J. (2010). Multilevel Analysis. Techniques and Applications (2nd edition). New York, NY: Routledge (Ch 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 12)
Master’s introduction and enrolment day
Make a reservation in your agenda so you will not miss any information that you will need during your master’s programme MSc in Psychology. Please consult the Agenda master meetings
Contact information
Dr. M. van der Leeden
Methodology and Statistics Unit, room 3B21
Tel: +31(0)71 527 3763
E-mail: vanderleeden@fsw.leidenuniv.nl