Unit information: Multivariate Statistical Methods in Education in 2015/16

Unit name	Multivariate Statistical Methods in Education
Unit code	EDUCM5507
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Dr. Tim Jay
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	Introduction to Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Education
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

The unit will introduce students to a range of statistical methods available in the statistical package SPSS for Windows, with the main emphasis being on the use of advanced statistics and their interpretation. The philosophy of the course is that students learn more about inferential statistics by carrying them out using a real data set than by trying to learn statistical theory from first principles. Statistics covered include: analysis of variance and covariance, simple and multiple linear regression, multivariate techniques of factor analysis, discriminant analysis and cluster analysis, and the use of secondary data analysis in education.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit, students will gain a working knowledge of a range of essential multivariate inferential statistics available on SPSS. They will be able to select, apply and interpret these statistics appropriately according to research hypotheses and the scale of measurement of the variables involved. They will consider the use and value of secondary analyses of existing data sets in education.

Teaching Information

Lectures, Seminars, Tutorials, use of software(SPSS), virtual learning environment

Assessment Information

Formative: Group presentation (15 minutes) OR essay + analysis of (primary or secondary) data set (draft statistical analyses and associated reports).

Summative: Wssay + analysis of (primary or secondary) data set (4,000 words or equivalent including statistics).

The choice between formative assessment options will be negotiated with the Unit Tutor.

Reading and References

Main Course Text:

• Field A. (2005) Discovering Statistics Using SPSS (2nd Edition) London, Sage

Alternative Texts:

• Bryman, A. and Cramer, D. (2005) Quantitative Data Analysis with SPSS 12 and 13: a guide for Social Scientists. London: Routledge
• Erickson, B.H. and Nosanchuk. T.A. (1992) Understanding Data, Buckingham: Open University Press
• McCall, R.B. (2001) Fundamental Statistics for Behavioural Sciences, Belmont, California: Wadsworth
• Siegel, S. and Castellan N.J. (1988) Nonparametric Statistics for the Behavioural Sciences, New York: McGraw-Hill
• Wright, D.B. (1997) Understanding Statistics: An introduction for the social sciences, London: Sage