02225 - Psychometric Statistics

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student: a) know the statistical tests used in psychological research; b) is able to select properly the statistical procedure for different research hypothesis; c) is able to discuss the results obtained by the analysis

Course contents

The course will take place during the second semester (from February to May) in online modality by Teams platform.

The course is organized in two parts. the first part is propaedeutical to the second part. For each of the contents dealt with, the theoretical and formal aspects, applicability and practical examples of use are examined in depth

Part I: Epistemological basis of Statistical inference (30 hours, frontal lectures)

• Fisherian and Bayesian statistical approach
• Probability, theoretical definitions, Probability properties
• Probability distributions: Binomial, Normal, Chi square, t, F
• Theory of measurement in Psychology
• Scale of measurement
• Descriptive statistics: descriptive parameters, examples of applications

 

PART II: The use of the inferential statistics (30 hours, frontal lectures)

Parametric Tests

• Pearon's correlation analysis
• Linear regression analysis
• Student t-test: paired and independent samples
• Analysis of variance: one way, two ways
•  Analysis of variance for repeated measure
• General Linear Model

Non-parametric tests

• Contingency tables: Chi square test, Fisher exact test
• Sign test
• Rank tests

Readings/Bibliography

Mandatory texts and materials that are propedeutic to the course:

Howitt D. Cramer D. (2020) Introduction to Statistics for Psychology Seven Edition (edited by  Benassi M, Bolzani R, Rossi G). Pearson, Milan-Turin.

Teaching material provided by the teacher and available on the University platform at iol.unibo.it

Examples of Exam tests available online at iol.unibo.it

Recommended in-depth readings:

Popper K. (2010), The Logic of Scientific Discovery, Einaudi Galavotti MC (2000), Probability, The new Italy :

Teaching methods

Given the numerous examples of in-depth studies carried out in the classroom it is advisable to actively attend the lessons.

In the case of special needs, the lecturer can be contacted in order to jointly activate with the University Service for students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders  the appropriate support methods.

The frontal lessons will be available also on-line by Teams.

Assessment methods

The exam is conducted orally and due to the emergency situation, it will be online by Teams web-platform. If there will be the possibility of taking the exam in person, this opportunity will be indicated on the teacher's website on the Notices page.

During the oral exam the acquisition of the course objectives and of the contents learned during the discussions in the lectures and in the in-depth reading of the teaching material will be verified. All the topics of the course must be examined and all of them have the  same weight. Three questions will be selected from all the topics. To assign the mark with a maximum of 30 with honors, all the scores attributed to each question will be averaged and evaluated on the criteria: completeness of the answers, appropriateness of the language used and terminology used and clarity of the exposition.

The scores attributed to each question will therefore be as follows:

- 0 points: missing or completely incorrect answer or completely incorrect or unclear terminology;

- 1-3 points: answer markedly lacking in terms of completeness, clarity and correctness in the terminology;

- 4-6: response partially coherent but not sufficiently developed, or the coexistence of correct and other markedly incorrect elements;

- 6-8 points: correct answer, from sufficient to good, but not exhaustive, superficial or incomplete, or lack of clear logical links between the concepts presented;

- 9-10 points and praise: correct, exhaustive and well argued answer, with clear and in-depth understanding of the concepts and their relationships.

For each question, the maximum mark is 30 and honors. The minimum score for each question and to pass the exam is 18.

When the oral presentation is sufficient according to the above mentioned criteria, the mark will be from 18 to 21; a fairly good preparation will obtain a mark from 22 and 25; a good preparation will obtain a mark from 26 e 29; the optimum will be evaluated form 30 and 30cumlaude.

Given the numerous examples of in-depth studies carried out in the classroom it is advisable to actively attend the lessons.

Calculation aids are allowed. In the case of special needs, the lecturer can be contacted in order to jointly activate with the University Service for students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders the appropriate support methods.

To take the exam it is necessary to register through the electronic bulletin board, in compliance with the established deadlines. Those who are unable to register for technical problems by the scheduled date, are required to promptly (and in any case before the official closing of the registration lists) communicate the problem to the didactic secretariat. The teacher will be able to admit them to take the test.

Teaching tools

Lectures are supported by different materials available online iol.unibo.it as well as Manuals - Scientific articles

Office hours

See the website of Mariagrazia Benassi