Multivariate Analysis

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/S_MVAba

Course Objective

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
• determine, based on the research question and available data, the form of linear regression analysis or analysis of variance through which the problem can be analyzed;
• construct a scale;
• apply factor analysis in SPSS as part of scale construction, interpret the results and report on them;
• apply regression and variance analysis in SPSS, interpret the results in terms of causal models: models with confounding variables, mediation and moderation, and report on them.

Course Content

In this course, students learn multivariate statistical techniques widely used in quantitative research in communication science. The emphasis is on testing hypotheses about cause-and-effect relationships and interpreting the analysis results, both in experimental and non-experimental research. This knowledge is not only useful to be able to test hypotheses correctly yourself, but also to be able to critically evaluate research of others. This course is a continuation of the Quantitative Research Methodology course. Several variations on linear regression analysis (dummy variables, interaction, path models) and more complex variations in the family of General Linear Models (ANCOVA) are discussed. In addition, attention is given to the measurement of constructs. This has already been covered in part in the Quantitative Research Methodology course, but now factor analysis is dealth with as part of scale construction. All mentioned techniques are applied with SPSS. Again, results are interpreted in terms of underlying causal models: models with confounding variables, mediation, and moderation.

Teaching Methods

Lectures, SPSS labs, working groups

Method of Assessment

Interim tests and group assignments

Literature

Field, Andy (2018) Discovering Statistics using IBM SPSS Statistics.Fifth edition. Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore, Washington DC: Sage

Target Audience

Third year Communication Science Bachelor

Entry Requirements

Participation in Quantitative Research Methodology (S_QNRM)