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.

During the oral exam, the acquisition of the course objectives and the contents learned 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 whose maximum is 30 with honors, the completeness of the answers, the appropriateness of the language used and the terminology used and the clarity of the presentation will be evaluated. For each question, each of these aspects will be assigned a mark whose maximum is 30 cum laude. The overall mark will be assigned as an average between the different aspects evaluated in each question. To pass the exam, the minimum 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