07298 - Data Analysis Techniques

Learning outcomes

At the end of the training activity, the student will be able to: evaluate the psychometric characteristics of a good test; use and apply a psychometric clinical test; draw up a written diagnostic profile based on the use of a psychometric test; draw up a research-intervention project in the clinical field, with particular reference to the experimental design, the formulation of the hypotheses, the choice of the sample, the measuring instruments and the appropriate statistical analyzes to verify them.

Course contents

A) The experimental research design in Psychology: formulation of hypotheses, choice of the sample and measuring instruments.

B) Hypothesis testing: descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, the General Linear Model applied to testing hypotheses in clinical research designs (crso-sectional and longitudinal studies, with and without a control group).

C) The measurement in Psychology according to the Classical Test Theory: characteristics of a good psychometric test such as reliability (internal consistency and stability over time), validity (structural, criterion, predictive), sensitivity to change, sensitivity and specificity.

D) The application of tests in the clinical context: scoring and interpretation of the results of a test based on the reference norms, individual diagnostic profile of clinical cases, and drafting of a written report.

The course will take place during the first semester (from October to December 2020) at the Cesena Campus, Department of Psychology, viale Europa 119, Cesena.

Readings/Bibliography

Parts A, B and C of the course: adopeted textbook Psicometria e Testistica in Psicologia Clinica by P. Gremigni e G. Casu, 2015, eBook/PDF (purchasable online; http://www.lulu.com/shop/paola-gremigni-and-giulia-casu/psicometria-e-testistica-in-psicologia-clinica/ebook/product-22395057.html )

Part D of the course: lecture notes by the teacher.

Teaching methods

The lessons will be articulated into 2 modules: module 1 (Prof. Gremigni - 30 hours) includes parts A, C and D of the course; module 2 (Prof. Casu - 15 hours) includes part B of the course. Each part provides a short theoretical illustration and an interactive application part in which examples will be illustrated and discussed in the classroom with students.

Since the discussion of the practical examples helps the understanding of the course topics (quite complex), regular attendance to the lessons is strongly recommended.

The understanding of parts A and B is favored by the integration with the Psychometrics laboratories which will also take place in the first semester.

Assessment methods

The assessment approach consists of a written test and an oral exam; each assessment will be evaluated in thirtieths (score 0-30) and the final exam mark will consist of the average of the marks obtained in the two tests.

The assessment test will be composed as follows:

1) The written test will be carried out individually or by a small group and will focus on the contents of part D. Each student/group will be assigned and sent by e-mail a clinical case consisting of the scores reported by an anonymous patient in a clinical test. The students will have to scoring the test, comment on the scores and produce a written report. The paper will be returned via e-mail to the teacher who will correct and evaluate it. Detailed instructions for the test will be provided in class and described in the course lecture notes.

2) The individual oral exam will aim to ascertain the applied theoretical knowledge acquired by the student on the topics relating to parts A, B and C of the course, introduced in class and presented more fully in the textbook adopted.

Teaching tools

Powerpoint presentations and live data analysis via classroom PC connected with video projector, collective verbal discussion.

Office hours

See the website of Paola Gremigni

See the website of Giulia Casu