42457 - Psychometric and Data Analysis Techniques

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student is able to create a project for the construction, validation and standards evaluation of a neuropsychological test; to perfom an appropriate statistical analysis; to present and discuss the statistical results.

Course contents

The course will take place during the first semester (from September to Dember) at the Cesena Campus of the School of Psychology and Education (address: piazza A. Moro, 90).

Part I Statistical tests and methodological basis for the construction, validation and standardization of neuropsychological tests

Factor analysis

Standard values and ranges
- confidence and tolerance intervals
- Normal and Student's intervals
- Non-parametric intervals
Classification threshold
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- ROC Curves

Part II Inferential tests for multivariate designs

General Linear Model
- Multiple and Multivariate Linear Regression

- Multivariate Analysis of Variance
- Multivariate Analysis of Variance for Repeated Measures
- Multivariate Contrasts

Binomial and Multinomial Logistic regression

Readings/Bibliography

Scientific manuscripts will be provided  during the lectures.

Howitt D. Cramer D. (2014) Intoduzione alla Statistica per Psicologia (a cura di Bolzani, Benassi, Rossi). Pearson, Milano-Torino.

Bolzani R., Benassi M., (2003) Tecniche Psicometriche. Edizioni Carocci, Roma.

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures and group work on scientific papers.

Assessment methods

Discussion on a paper prepared by the student at the end of the course.

The student has to prepare a paper concerning two topics referring to the program (one selected from the first part, the other from the second).

For each topic, the paper consists of a theoretical part concerning the description of the selected statistical model, and of a critical application of the model. For the critical application the student has two alternatives. The first alternative consists of a critical application of the model to a specific data collected previously during lectures; The second choice consists of a critical revision on a scientific manuscript concerning the selected statistical model. The maximum length is 6000 words.

The paper has to be sent together with the scientific manuscript to the docent by e-mail one week before the official date of the exam. During the exam the paper will be discussed orally. The grade will be on a scale of 30.

The student is required to complete the online registration (Almaesami) within the terms in order to be admitted to the exam. In the case of technical problems the student is required to promptly contact the Segreteria Studenti and email prof. Benassi (within the terms) who will consider the request and decide about the admission.

Teaching tools

Statistical Analysis of experimental data with discussions about the statistical model applied.

Discussion about the statistical procedures used in scientific papers.

Office hours

See the website of Mariagrazia Benassi