Prospectus

nl en

Multivariate Data Analysis (IBP)

Course
2014-2015

Students of the Dutch bachelor’s programme, see Multivariate data-analyse

Admission requirements

  • To be admitted to the Multivariate Data Analysis (MVDA) course, students must have fully completed the Introduction to Methods and Statistics and Introduction to Inferential Statistics courses.

  • The MVDA course forms an admission requirements for the third-year bachelor’s project.

Description

The MVDA course provides students with an overview of the standard models for the multivariate analysis of psychological research data. Different models are suitable for different types of data. Examples of such models include regression analysis and variance analysis, as well as more advanced versions of these models. Students learn how to answer a research question by using a model. In addition, they learn to work with relevant statistical software.

Course objectives

  • Knowledge and understanding of the key concepts and foundational principles of the standard models for multivariate data analysis;

  • Learning which analytical method to use to answer a particular type of research question;

  • Acquiring skills in working with statistical software for multivariate data analysis.

Timetable

Multivariate Data Analysis (2014-2015):

Registration

Course

Students need to enroll for lectures and work group sessions. Please consult the Instructions registration

Examination

Students are not 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. Registering for exams

Mode of instruction

The MVDA course is divided into seven weeks. Each course week comprises a lecture, a computer practical, and a work group session. The two-hour lecture is the first component, and it is given at the start of the week. In the lecture, a lecturer introduces the week’s material and clarifies its most important topics. The material presented in the lectures forms part of the examination material. Students are expected to prepare for the lectures by studying the relevant material from the course book. The lectures contribute primarily to course objectives A and B.

The computer practicals and work group sessions take place on other days of the week than the lectures. Attendance is compulsory for both practicals and work group sessions. In the course of the 1-hour computer practicals, students practise data analysis on the basis of assignments. Comparable assignments are also used in the two skills tests. Students are expected to bring a storage medium to the practical. The computer practicals primarily contribute to course objective C.

Students are expected to prepare for the work group sessions by completing a number of assignments and handing them in prior to the session. The completed assignments are discussed during the two-hour work group sessions. Students are also expected to give a minimum of one presentation. In addition, they are offered the opportunity to practise new assignments during the work group sessions. At the end of the week, a short elaboration of the assignments is published on Blackboard. The work group sessions contribute to course objectives A, B and C.

Assessment

Regulations on grade calculation for compulsory courses of the second year

The final grade for the course is based on two partial grades. The final grade is determined by making a weighted sum of the two partial grades:

Final grade = 0.6 x (Grade 1) + 0.4 x (Grade 2)

Grade 1 is the grade obtained for the examination. The examination comprises 40 multiple-choice questions with four answer alternatives. This examination primarily assesses course objectives A and B. Grade 2 is a combination of four results. Two of these are the results of the two skills tests, one conducted half-way through and the other at the end of the course. The other two results are the compulsory attendance requirements for the computer practicals and the work group sessions. The skills tests consist of open questions and are conducted in computer rooms. These tests focus primarily on course objectives B and C. Insufficient attendance cannot be compensated for.

The Faculty of Social Sciences has instituted that instructors use a software programme for the systematic detection of plagiarism in students’ written work. In case of fraud disciplinary actions will be taken. Please see the information concerning fraud

Blackboard

Lecture slides, the data from the assignments and supplementary material can be found on Blackboard.

Reading

Compulsory examination material alongside the lecture material:

  • Title still to be announced.

  • MVDA Workbook. In addition to assignments for the practicals and work group sessions, this workbook also contains a number of alternative and supplementary tests, all of which are also part of the examination material. The workbook can be ordered from Readeronline.

Study book service

If the title of the book is known, it may be obtained at a reduced rate from the Labyrint study association study book service on producing your Labyrint membership card.

Contact

Coordinators

Comments

Chapter 2 of the course Work book provides detailed information on the working method used in the course. It is best to address specific questions to the supervisors at the practicals or lecturers at the lectures and work groups.