PSYCH 744 : Experimental Design and Quantitative Methods for Psychology

Science

2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Covers applications of the general linear model to research design and analysis. Topics include: univariate techniques (analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, regression) and multivariate techniques (multivariate analysis of variance, discriminant analysis, multivariate regression, and factor analysis).

Course Overview

This course delves into advanced statistical methods essential for psychological research, with a focus on practical applications and critical interpretation.  The course builds on foundational statistics knowledge, expanding into more complex analyses like regression, ANOVA, multilevel modeling, and structural equation modeling. Throughout, students will learn to manage data, select appropriate statistical tests, interpret results in context, and convey findings clearly.

Through a blend of lectures, practical assignments, and discussions, students will gain the skills to approach psychological data with confidence and rigor. Each week introduces core techniques, guiding students from exploratory data analysis and hypothesis testing to advanced modeling and longitudinal data analysis. Special attention is given to understanding the assumptions underlying statistical methods, the ethical considerations in data handling, and the importance of effect size and reproducibility in psychological research.

By the end of the course, students will be equipped to apply statistical methods to real psychological datasets, articulate their methodological choices, and interpret their findings with a critical, research-informed perspective.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: PSYCH 306

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 6: Communication

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop proficiency in applying and interpreting key statistical techniques used in psychology. (Capability 3 and 4)
  2. Understand and evaluate assumptions, effect sizes, and ethical considerations in data analysis. (Capability 3 and 4)
  3. Cultivate the ability to independently analyze and interpret complex psychological data. (Capability 3 and 4)
  4. Communicate statistical findings effectively. (Capability 3, 4 and 6)
  5. Develop practical skills in using R for data management, analysis, and visualization, enabling efficient application of statistical techniques in psychological research (Capability 3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignment 1 20% Individual Coursework
Assignment 2 20% Individual Coursework
Final Assessment 45% Individual Coursework
Discussions 15% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Assignment 1
Assignment 2
Final Assessment
Discussions

Special Requirements

Students must have prior and basic knowledge of statistics and research methods from an advanced undergraduate course. 

Everyone must have access to a computer (in a University of Auckland lab and at home for online learning).

Tuākana

This course is supported by the Tuākana in Science Programme, which facilitates the success and wellbeing of our Māori and Pacific students. The foundation of the Tuākana Programme is the Tuākana-Teina principle an integral relationship in which older or more expert Tuākana (traditionally brother, sister or cousin) guides a younger or less expert Teina (traditionally younger sibling or cousin). This is a reciprocal relationship which fosters safe learning and teaching environments. Read more here:
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-and-pacific-at-the-faculty/tuakana-programme.html

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15-point course that they are enrolled in. Following University workload guidelines, a standard 15-point course represents approximately 150 hours of study. During a typical teaching week there will be 2 hours of lectures. For the 12 teaching weeks, this totals to 24 hours. Since the course as a whole represents approximately 150 hours of study, that leaves a total of 126 hours across the entire semester for independent study, e.g. reading, reflection, preparing for assessments/exams, etc.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

  • Attendance is expected at scheduled activities to complete the course.
  • Lectures will not be available as recordings. 
  • The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

Based on feedback and priorities set by the School of Psychology, this course has been entirely redesigned, with a new teaching team.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review, even if an electronic version was not required as a part of the submission process.

If a student deliberately cheats and receives a penalty, the case will be recorded in a University-wide register. The record of the offence will normally remain until one year after the student graduates.

NOTE that correctly quoted material used appropriately and sparingly will enhance your assignments, but quoted material should not be over-used.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.