Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2014-2015 (archived)

Module PSYS1041: INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS

Department: Psychology (Applied Psychology) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

PSYS1041: INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS

Type Tied Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2014/15 Module Cap None. Location Queen's Campus Stockton
Tied to C817

Prerequisites

  • Mathematics GCSE Grade C (or equivalent)

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To introduce students to statistical concepts and methods used in experimental and applied psychology

Content

  • Introduction to basic statistical concepts including methods of characterising data, simple statistical analyses and the use of standard statistical computing software

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Basic knowledge of some key research methods in psychology
  • Basic knowledge of some statistical methods for psychology
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Emerging understanding of the relationship between theory and data
  • Developing competence in the design and conduct of experiments, including hypothesis testing and data interpretation
  • Developing skills in data handling and statistical analysis
Key Skills:
  • Developing ability to organise and utilise knowledge
  • Developing written communication skills

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Classes take the form of two-hour sessions in the computer laboratory. Within this two-hour slot, students will be introduced to relevant theoretical issues in statistics and taught how to calculate descriptive statistics and certain inferential tests by hand and using a standard statistical package on the computer network
  • Student acquisition of a broad range of knowledge relating to statistics is facilitated by the material covered in classes and is supported by additional material made available via DUO. Assessment of the conceptual knowledge acquired, including the statistical aspects of the relationship between data and theory, is achieved via the examination. Students' ability to apply this knowledge using standard statistical computing software is assessed in the summative computing assignment
  • The ability to organise and utilise knowledge, together with skills in IT and data preparation are developed through students' participation in classes and are assessed in the summative computing assignment

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lecture/Terminal Sessions (Computing Classes) 22 1 per week 2 hour 44
Preparation of summative assignment 30
Preparation and Reading 126
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
two-hour examination 100%
Component: Assignment. Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
SPSS assignment 100%

Formative Assessment:

Continuous formative assessment


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University