PSYM4020 ¨C Applied quantitative research methodology

Course content

The course will give you an introduction to factor analysis and develop your methods knowledge in the areas of analysis of variance and multiple regression analysis. In addition, there will be an introduction to the principles of constructing psychological measurement scales. The course will put an emphasis on actually using the various methods through a case-based approach, where the presentation and interpretation of results from analysis will practiced thoroughly.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

After taking this course, you shall

• Know the principles behind operationalizing latent variables and formal concepts
• Know the principles behind the estimation of factor loadings and the rotation of latent factors
• Know the principles behind the coding of linear and curvelinear effects
• Know the principles of testing mediation and moderation

Skills

• Formulate questions for self-report scales and determine their scoring (determine measurement level and answering categories)
• Run exploratory factor analyses and interpret and present their results
• Test one- and multidimensionality in measurement instruments, especially through the use factor analysis
• Within factor analyses, you shall be able to determine the number of factors, interpret factors found in a factor analysis, and create factor scores.
• Conduct multiple linear regression analyses and interpret the results from the analyses.
• Within multiple regression, you shall be able to include curvelinear effects, mediation analysis, and moderation analysis.
• Use variance analyses to determine differences between groups and change within groups over time, and interpret and results from the analyses

You will use this knowledge practically in the form of SPSS and R exercises and by solving various practical problem cases involving these skills. In the case problems that you will work on, we put emphasis on presentation of results in line with established APA standards.

General competencies

You will acquire general competence in constructing and evaluating psychological measurement instruments. You will also acquire general competence in interpreting and presenting results from multivariate analyses in general.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

The course is offered only to students from the GlobalMINDS-Erasmus Joint Degree Master's Programme in the Psychology of Global Mobility, Inclusivity and Diversity in Society.?