Statistics 3 and start b-thesis Social and Organizational Psychology

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/P_BST3BTSOP

Course Objective

The objective of Statistics 3, social and organizational psychology track is twofold: 1) students learn to carry out statistical analyses to individually answer psychological research questions, and 2) students learn to understand and interpret statistical analyses as to critically evaluate existing academic knowledge regarding psychological questions. During Statistics 3, students will learn to examine hypotheses in which multiple variables either simultaneously or jointly have an impact. The focus is on applying models in which one or more response variables are predicted on the basis of one or more explanatory variables. The response variables can be quantitative or categorical and can be observed repeatedly. Statistics 3 covers statistical techniques that are prevalent in social and organizational psychological research. These techniques are used in non-experimental research (e.g. longitudinal cohort studies) as well as experimental research (e.g. intervention studies).

Course Content

After a short introduction of Statistics 1 and 2 (regression
- and variance analysis), linear models are discussed in which multivariate relationships are considered (e.g. mediation and moderation) as well as models for repeated measures. These models are applied to data sets derived from -or based on
- existing psychological research. The emphasis of the course is on translating a research question into a model, statistical testing of this model through data analysis and interpretation of the results in light of the research question. Analyses are performed in SPSS. In addition, students practice their understanding of these and similar techniques by analysing (parts of) research articles.

Teaching Methods

Lectures (2x per week)

Method of Assessment

Exam
- assessment of the theoretical content covered in Agresti & Finlay (2018), Warner (2020) and the lectures and counts for 100% towards the final grade. Constituent grades are also valid in the years following the course, unless the method of assessment changes.

Literature

Rebecca M. Warner (2020) Applied Statistics II
- International Student Edition THIRD EDITION Multivariable and Multivariate Techniques ISBN: 9781071807712Agresti & Finlay (2012/2018). Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences. ISBN: 9781292220314 (both versions are permitted).

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements, yet it is difficult to succeed in Statistics 3 without Statistics 1 and 2