Applied Quantitative Research Methods

1. Applied Quantitative Research Methods Learning outcomes • state the level of understanding needed to start this module successfully • detail the organisation of the module • list the different sessions

2. The importance of research methods • Research methods have been described as one of the most important parts, if not the most important part, of your postgraduate applied-psychology programme • Reason: applied psychologists must base their work on research evidence • In order to evaluate and contribute to the body of research evidence you must understand and be able to apply research methods • This module examines research methods that are used in applied areas of psychology • This module is at least as important as any of your other modules

3. What you should already know • This module assumes an undergraduate- level understanding of research methods and statistics • We have no time to revisit undergraduate research methods and statistics in detail • Some essential undergraduate methods will be included in the programme as a basis for more advanced methods • Lectures are essential and used as a starting point to enable you to acquire knowledge of quantitative research methods and analysis

4. Core text You need to have bought the coretext and bring this to each class every week and to the exam in January Field, A. (2013). Discovering statistics using SPSS for Windows (4th ed.). London: Sage. Student's resources on line

5. In advance of each lecture, per chapter study • All chapter text • Including Jane Superbrain • Including any other special sections • Also consider • studying Oliver Twisted’s items on line • watching Oditi’s Lantern’s videos on line

6. Per chapter do at least the following activities • All examples presented in the chapter; use SPSS where appropriate • Self-test questions • Labcoat Leni’s task(s) • Smart Alex’s tasks (end of chapter) • Compare your answers with Field’s answers (in book or on book’s website)

7. Virtual learning environment • http://eat.tees.ac.uk/ • If you cannot get into Blackboard then contact Clarendon ICT help desk (second floor in Clarendon) • If the module does not show up once you have logged onto Blackboard then contact Elaine Brooke (E.Brooke@tees.ac.uk) • You must know your login details

8. SPSS • If you use a home computer rather than university computer, please note that SPSS is available free for you to download • This is an essential piece of software for the module Applied research methods (PSY4009-N) • You need to download SPSS and Sample Power from Unity and install this on your computer before the next classhttps://unity3.tees.ac.uk/myuniversity/Pages/Software%20Downloads.aspx • If you have difficulties with downloading or installing, then contact the Clarendon ICT help desk

9. Running of classes • One-hour lecture • Study lecture notes in advance • Two-hour practical/seminar • Research design: study the lecture notes in advance • Statistical power analysis: study the lecture notes in advance • All other topics: the chapter(s)/sections in the core text in advance • Support session • Must study module content and do exercises in advance • Bring any remaining questions

10. Guide schedule of classes • a. Introduction to the module and pre-requisitesb. Basic principles of research design and statistics • Research designs • Correlation and simple regression • Multiple regression (1) • Multiple regression (2)t tests and analysis of variance • Analysis of covarianceFactorial analysis of variance • Moderation- and mediation analysis • Logistic regression • Self-study: bias • Statistical power • Factor analysis

11. Guide schedule of classes Christmas break • Revision • Exam preparation • Exam

12. Assessment There is one assessment for this module:three-hour open-book exam

13. Summary We have • Outlined the level of knowledge necessary to start the module successfully • outlined the organisation of the module • described the different sessions