Entry requirements
It is assumed that the student has basic knowledge of the statistical methods discussed in this course. Advanced knowledge is assumed for the mathematical basics and SPSS skills. Additional literature to catch up with the topics is suggested during the course.
Description
The Preparatory Statistics Course teaches students statistical knowledge and practical skills at a conceptual level, useful for the quantitative research process used in most master theses. The topics cover part of the bachelor statistics program with specific attention for formulating research questions, data handling in SPSS, interpreting and reporting SPSS results (APA style), and drawing conclusions based on these results.
Course objectives
The Preparatory Statistics Course teaches students statistical knowledge and practical skills for the independent completion of data analysis and reporting in the context of a psychology Master’s thesis.
Timetable
For the timetables of your lectures, workgroups, and exams, select your study programme.
Psychology timetables
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.
Mode of instruction
The course consists of 6 lectures (2 hours each) and 9 computer practicals (2 hours each).
Assessment method
The students are required to attend all lectures and computer practicals. The students are also required to hand in 6 practical assignments in which the statistical techniques discussed during the 6 lectures are applied in the form of a short research report. In addition an SPSS exam is completed which assesses the students’ practical skills in using SPSS for data handling. Students receive extensive feedback on both assignments and the SPSS exam.
The final exam comprises the same form as the practical assignments and covers all of the topics addressed during lectures and practicals.
The final grade is determined by combining the averaging the grades of the assignments and midterm exam (50%) with the grade of the final exam (50%). This final grade must be equal to or greater than 5.5 to pass.
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural 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.
Reading list
Andy Field (2012). Discovering Statistics using SPSS. Fourth Edition. Sage: London.
IBM SPSS 19/20. Via www.surfspot.nl.
Contact information
Dr. Tom Wilderjans
t.f.wilderjans@fsw.leidenuniv.nl