Advanced Quantitative Research Skills

Module overview

The Advanced Quantitative Research Skills module is focused on extending existing skills in analyzing data from quantitative research. The module consists of two parts. In the first part programming skills in R are being learned. In the second, students will learn the theoretical basis of regression and correlation at a deep level, and also learn how to practically conduct, for two predictors and an outcome, competitive, mediational, and moderational analysis, and appropriately interpret their results. We strongly recommend students to have at least a 2:1 in PSYC2019 as PSYC3064 is an advanced statistics module and the materials covered in PSYC2019 will not be repeated but will be built upon.

Linked modules

Pre-requisites: PSYC1010 AND PSYC1019 AND PSYC2019

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Implementation of statistical procedures within the R environment and SPSS
Understand the conceptual basis of trivariate mediation, and some interpretational issues
Understand the conceptual basis of trivariate regression, and partial and semipartial correlation, and some interpretational issues
Understand the conceptual basis of trivariate moderation, with categorical and continuous variables, and some interpretational issues
Scripting - programming an analysis in such a way that the script can be used with minimal effort for similar datasets and analyses and for especially large datasets
Be able to conduct analyses in SPSS corresponding to B6
Understand linear association conceptually, across categorical and continuous variables
Data manipulation - acquiring skills in flexible matrix manipulation
Be able to conduct analyses in SPSS corresponding to B5
Be able to conduct analyses in SPSS and PROCESS corresponding to B8
Data visualisation - learning how to create high-quality figures, especially associated with more complex analyses (e.g. three dimensional scatter plots, Trellis displays, etc.).
Be able to conduct analyses in SPSS and PROCESS corresponding to B9
Be able to conduct analyses in SPSS corresponding to B7
Understand the basic mathematical mechanics of bivariate correlation and regression, and some interpretational issues

Learning and Teaching

Study time
Type	Hours
Follow-up work	19
Revision	100
Lecture	31
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Alain Zuur, Elena Ieno, & Erik Meesters (2009). A Beginner's Guide To R.. Springer.

Hayes, A. F (2022). Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis: A regression-based approach. New York, NY, US: Guilford Press.

Assessment

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Exam	49%
Exam	50%
Research Participation	1%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Exam	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External