Entry requirements
Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics
Inferential Statistics
Experimental and Correlational Research (or similar courses)
Description
An important part of psychological research is discovering and explaining causal relationships. Randomised experiments form the best basis for causal inference, but experimental manipulation of the independent variable often cannot be realised for practical, ethical, or technical reasons. Therefore, causal relationships are often studied in field settings. Research in field settings varies in the amount of control that the researcher has over the study characteristics. There are true experiments in natural settings such as hospitals, schools, and factories. Other studies have a quasi-experimental design, with experimental groups, but with less control over assignment of research units to conditions. Alternatively, studies may be purely observational, without experimental interventions, but still set up in a systematic way that maximises the possibility of drawing causal conclusions (e.g. case-control-studies). In the course, we will give an overview of research designs and methods of data-analysis directed at drawing the best possible causal conclusions when the (experimental) conditions are less than ideal.
Course objectives
Students will be able to:
judge conclusions from field experiments on all relevant aspects of research validity;
propose an adequate research design, given the research question or hypothesis, to prevent of remove threats to research validity; and
apply adequate data analyses for estimating treatment effects in field experiments, e.g. correction with propensity scores.
Timetable
For the timetable of this course please refer to MyTimetable
Registration
Education
Students must register themselves for all course components (lectures, tutorials and practicals) they wish to follow. You can register up to 5 days prior to the start of the course. The exception here is that first-year bachelor students are assigned and registered for all components in the first semester or academic year by the administration of their bachelor programme. The programme will communicate to these students for which course components and for which period the registration applies.
Exams
It is mandatory for all students, including first-year bachelor students, to register for each exam and to confirm registration for each exam in My Studymap. This is possible up to and including 10 calendar days prior to the examination. You cannot take an exam without a valid pre-registration and confirmation in My Studymap.
Carefully read all information about the procedures and deadlines for registering for courses and exams.
Students who take this course as part of a LDE minor or a premaster programme, exchange students and external guest students will be informed by the education administration about the current registration procedure.
Mode of instruction
Seven 2-hour lectures and seven 2-hour mandatory workgroup sessions.
The workgroup sessions consist of case discussions, student presentations of validity threats in published empirical field studies, and data analysis for estimating treatment effects.
You should attend at least five out of seven workgroups.
Assessment method
A written examination assesses students’ knowledge of causal inference in field studies. This examination consists of multiple-choice and essay questions (weight: 60% of the final grade). A short written paper assesses application of this knowledge to the validity of the conclusions of a published field study (weight: 40% of the final grade). Adequate active participation during the workgroups is an overall requirement for being awarded a final grade.
The Institute of Psychology uses fixed rules for grade calculation and compulsory attendance. It also follows the policy of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences to systematically check student papers for plagiarism with the help of software. Disciplinary measures will be taken when fraud is detected. Students are expected to be familiar with and understand the implications of these three policies.
Reading list
Rosenbaum, P. R. (2017). Observation and experiment. An introduction to causal inference. Cambridge (MA): Harvard University Press. ISBN: 9780674975576.
Additional papers on Brighspace.
Lecture slides.
Contact information
Dr. Peter de Heus deheus1@fsw.leidenuniv.nl