Prospectus

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Experimental and Correlational Research

Course
2013-2014

Admission requirements

Students can only register for the examination if they have either passed or been exempted from the maths test. This course is a continuation of the Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics course, and presupposes the knowledge and skills taught there.
Description

This course covers the basic methods used in the analysis of data obtained from correlational and (quasi-)experimental research: simple and multiple regression analysis and analysis of variance.

Course objectives

  1. To obtain knowledge and understanding of the principles and procedures of analyses used in (quasi) experimental research: regression analysis and analysis of variance.
    1. To choose, carry out and represent the correct analysis in a given situation.
    2. To obtain skills in dealing with statistical software concerning regression analysis and analysis of variance.

Note: A complete list of course objectives is available on Blackboard.

Timetable

Experimental and Correlational Research (2013-2014):

Registration

Course

First-year students will automatically be registered for the course.

Examination

Students will not be automatically enrolled for an examination — they can register via uSis from 100 to 10 calendar days before the date. Students who are not registered will not be permitted to take the examination.

Mode of instruction

The Experimental and Correlational Research course will be taught over eight successive weeks. There are lectures and work group sessions in which we work with or without computers. At the end of the week extra work group sessions are offered, which, again, involve working with or without computers.

Each week the course will begin with a lecture to introduce and explain course material. During the lecture some extensions and new material are also discussed. The material given in the lecture is therefore also part of the examination material. As preparation for the lectures students should study the chapters prescribed for that week in the syllabus. The focus in the lectures is to obtain knowledge and understanding of the principles and procedures of analyses used in (quasi) experimental research: regression analysis and analysis of variance (Course objective 1).

On one of the subsequent days there will be a mandatory work group session. In the work group sessions the focus will be on obtaining knowledge and understanding of the principles and procedures of analyses used in (quasi) experimental research: regression analysis and analysis of variance (Course objective 1), choosing, carrying out and representing the adequate analysis in a certain situation (Course objective 2) and obtaining skills in dealing with statistical software concerning regression analysis and analysis of variance (Course objective 3).

In the extra work group sessions at the end of the week students are offered the opportunity to get some extra practice in statistical calculations, by hand or using SPSS. All students who would like this extra support are free to attend these sessions.

Assessment

The extent to which the students have mastered the course objectives will be assessed in two ways:

  • A written examination consisting of 40 multiple-choice questions, each with four alternatives, covering both theory and statistical calculations from the literature, the workbook, and the lectures.

  • An SPSS skills test covering students’ skills of working with SPSS as well as describing and interpreting analysis output.

The final grade will be a weighted average of the examination grade (0.7) and the grade for the SPSS skills test (0.3). To receive the course credits students must get a final grade of 5.5 or higher, and both examination and skills test grade must be 5.0 or higher.

Within thirty days of the final exam results students will have the opportunity to attend a debriefing session on their examination performance.

Since 1 January 2006 the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has implemented the Ephorus system, for use by instructors for the systematic detection of plagiarism in students’ written work. Please see the information concerning fraud.

Blackboard

The Experimental and Correlational Research course is supported by the Blackboard digital learning environment. Blackboard will be used to place announcements, provide study material (lecture slides, exercises, etc.) and practice questions, and to provide participants with an opportunity to consult with fellow-students and course instructors.

Literature and Course Material

  • Howell, D. C (2013). Statistical Methods for Psychology (8th edition).

  • IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21. Released 1012. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp., [www.surfspot.nl: 19.75 euro]. The DVD contains the following digital manuals:

    • IBM SPSS Statistics 21 Brief Guide
    • IBM SPSS Statistics 21 Core System User’s Guide
    • IBM SPSS Statistics Base 21

  • Extra material provided on BlackBoard (Lecture slides, exercises, etc.)

Information on which of the chapters, or sections of chapters, from the literature above are considered part of the course material can be found on Blackboard.

If you are a member of the study association Labyrint you may purchase books at a reduced price via their study book service. Alternatively there are the academic book shops.

Contact

Coordinator

SPSS coordinator