PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology
Later Year Course
| Offered By | School of Psychology |
|---|---|
| Academic Career | Undergraduate |
| Course Subject | Psychology |
| Offered in | First Semester, 2009 and First Semester, 2010 |
| Unit Value | 6 units |
| Course Description |
An introduction to selected quantitative techniques used in psychological research and practice, such as applications of statistical techniques in the design and analysis of experiments and surveys, and construction and applications of techniques of psychological measurement in experiments and surveys. This course is considered by the School as required preparation for fourth year, and may present difficulties for students who do not have a quantitative background. This course is also compulsory for the BPsych and BSc(Psych)programs. Note: This course PSYC2009 (or equivalent) is a prerequisite for PSYC3018, although other backgrounds will be considered on individual merit. Honours Pathway Option Entry to this option is subject to the approval of the course convenor. Students taking this option are required to consider a real data set which addresses several issues relevant to a range of areas of psychological science. Students are required to complete weekly exercises, most of which pertain to this data set. These exercises replace the lab exercises (20%) in the normal offering. |
| Learning Outcomes |
On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to: 1. use basic descriptive statistics and related methods for summarizing data, including graphing techniques2. construct effective survey questions 3. explain the basics of probability and apply this knowledge in the use of inferential statistics 4. describe and use several of the widely used types of confidence interval-based estimation techniques and significance tests, for both experimental and nonexperimental methods. |
| Indicative Assessment |
Assessment is arranged in consultation with students, but consists of an invigilated component or components accounting for at least 40% of the overall assessment package which must be passed for an overall pass in the course to be awarded, together with some combination of laboratory reports, essays and other formal assignments. Assessment in 2009 comprises:
|
| Workload |
Two hours of lectures per week and 20 hours of laboratories spread across the semester |
| Areas of Interest | Psychology |
| Requisite Statement |
PSYC1001 or (PSYC1003 and PSYC1004) |
| Prescribed Texts |
Smithson, M., 2000. Statistics With Confidence, London: SAGE. |
| Majors/Specialisations | Social Research Methods |
| Programs | Graduate Diploma in Psychological Studies and Graduate Diploma in Psychological Studies |
| Science Group | B |
| Academic Contact | Professor Mike Smithson |
The information published on the Study at ANU 2009 website applies to the 2009 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2008 website.
