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.?

Formal prerequisite knowledge

Obligatory prerequisites

The course is an advanced course on the Master level and will be developing knowledge and skills that will be required if you take the course, in particular:

• Descriptive statistics (averages, variance, standard deviation, covariance, correlation)
• Statistical tests of hypotheses
• Estimation of reliability, in particular through calculating Cronbach¡¯s alpha
• Linear regression analysis using one and two independent variables
• Use of t-test and analysis of variance (one-way, univariate) to compare groups

If you do not have this knowledge, it will be necessary that you acquire them through self-study before the course starts. It is recommended for everyone to refresh their knowledge before the course.

Overlapping courses

• 5 credits overlap with PSY4020 ¨C Applied quantitative research methodology.

Teaching

The course includes an obligatory task that must be approved before students can take the exam. The obligatory task is a written assignment to be delivered.

Approved obligatory assignments are valid for the two next semesters the course is offered.

See the guidelines for obligatory activities.

Absence from obligatory assignments

In case of sickness or other important reasons you may be exempted from the assignment or allowed to postpone under some circumstances.

• Notify of absence or need for postponement of compulsory activity

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

Examination

Witten school examination.?

Earlier exam tasks

Examination support material

Students may use dictionaries at this exam. Dictionaries must be handed in before the examination. Please read regulations for dictionaries permitted at the examination.

It is allowed to use dictionaries during the exam. The dictionaries shall be checked by SV-info beforehand. See the rules for using dictionaries.

Language of examination

You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale A-F. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

If you are sick or have another valid reason for not attending the regular exam, we offer a postponed exam later in the same semester.

See also our information about resitting an exam.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.