Data Analysis for Psychology in R-3
2025/26
Course description
Data Analysis for Psychology in R 3 (DAPR3) is a course undertaken by 3rd year students in Psychology. DAPR3 builds on the content of DAPR2 and covers more advanced methods that are invaluable for analysing many types of psychological study, preparing students for their dissertations. The course offers students a solid foundation in multilevel modeling, expanding the linear model to analyze "hierarchical data". Such data often involves observations clustered within higher-level groups, such as trials within participants, timepoints within individuals, or children within schools. In the second half of the course, we delve into data reduction techniques. These methods allow us to effectively summarize multiple correlated variables, either through weighted composites or by positing underlying latent factors. Additionally, students will gain insights into crucial concepts, including measurement error, validity, reliability, and replicability. These concepts are especially essential for researchers in psychology, where surveys or questionnaires are used to conduct studies of underlying constructs that cannot be directly measured.
Week | Slides | Workbook |
---|---|---|
Week 1 | Regression Refresh & Group-Structured Data |
Reading: Group-Structured Data Exercises: Regression & Clustered Data |
Week 2 | Multilevel Models |
Reading: The Multi-level/Mixed-effect Model Exercises: Introducing MLM |
Week 3 | Random Effect Structures & Model Building |
Reading: Random Effect Structures Reading: Model Building Exercises: Nested & Crossed Structures |
Week 4 | Assumptions, Diagnostics & Centering |
Reading: MLM Assumptions & Diagnostics Reading: Centering Predictors in MLM Exercises: Centering |
Week 5 | Recap & The Research Process |
Reading: Reporting on analyses with MLM
Exercises: Bringing it all together |
Week 6 | No Lecture | |
Week 7 | Introduction to Psychometric Testing | |
Week 8 | Principal Component Analysis (PCA) | |
Week 9 | Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) | |
Week 10 | More EFA | |
Week 11 | Recap & Exam Prep |