STATISTICS AND DATA ANALYSIS (ONLINE) - 2025/6

Module Overview

The module introduces you to basic statistical theory and critical thinking then build to more advanced data analysis skills. It aims to develop your understanding of statistical methods and foster the skills needed to think critically about psychological research. Teaching involves a combination of theory and practical sessions with real world research examples. Content covers a specific statistics or critical thinking topic that is typically followed by guided learning focusing on applying and practicing the theoretical content. Together, the module content provides knowledge of statistical analysis and critical thinking from both a theoretical and practical perspective, resulting in a good introduction and grounding in statistical research methods.

Module provider

SOL - Psychology

Module Leader

ASKEW Chris (Psychology)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

This module will always be taught prior to taking the second summer semester.

Module content

The content will cover theory and practice related to and including the following indicative topic areas:

• Introduction to research methods.


• Hypothesis testing and research designs.


• Descriptive statistics and normal distribution.


• An introduction to statistical testing, including t-tests, correlation, regression, ANOVA and nonparametric tests.


• Identifying and evaluating critical arguments.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The summative assessment strategy is designed to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate understanding of quantitative data analysis and critical thinking

 

1. Data Analysis and Reporting 1 (3 pages, 25% of the module mark): This coursework assignment is designed to assess competence in test selection in relation to basic data evaluation, use of jamovi, and writing results in the formal style used in psychology. These are critical skills for employability and improving digital capabilities.

 

2. Research Report (6 pages, 45% of the module mark): This coursework assignment is designed to assess competence in writing a research report, test selection in relation to more advanced data evaluation, use of Jamovi, and writing results in the formal style used in psychology. These are critical skills for employability and improving digital capabilities.

 

3. MCQ exam (1½ hr, 30% of the module mark): This assessment is designed to test knowledge of statistical concepts and procedures, their assumptions and limitations, interpretation of jamovi outputs and a range of statistical procedures and test selection.

Formative assessment and feedback
Guided learning sessions consist of a worksheet and data sets to analyse. You receive feedback on your progress via a feedback sheet of worked solutions. You also complete MCQ questions and receive immediate feedback to enable you to check your understanding of the module content. 
The module also contains a discussion about analysing psychological research and using it to answer psychological questions. Good critical thinking is modelled by the lecturer(s), practiced by you, and feedback is given to enable you to know how your arguments map onto the standards of critical thinking outlined in the lectures.

Module aims

• Enable you to correctly analyse experimental data using basic statistical procedures and understand the assumptions.
• Enable you to correctly interpret statistical results and understand the correct formats used to present data and results.
• Introduce you to the critical evaluation of psychological research.
• Teach you how to set up a research topic and interpret findings in a discussion section

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

Module content covers statistical theory as well as how to use jamovi (data analysis software) to run the statistical analyses discussed. You then gain practice applying these techniques using jamovi in guided learning sessions. This is to enable you to not only understand the theory behind statistical testing but also how to actually select and conduct the statistical tests using jamovi and interpret the results. All these skills will also be essential for other modules; particularly modules with research methods content and the final dissertation project. 
You are taught to use jamovi software, an open-source statistical analysis software package. You are given the opportunity and support to develop your digital literacy and acquire transferable skills, including critical thinking and evaluation, creating and using data spreadsheets, and data analysis. Thus the module contributes to building your independence, employability and digital capabilities.
Readings are set each week from the core text book. 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: PSYM175

Other information

The School of Psychology is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to contribute to this in the following ways: 
Employability: This module contributes to graduate employability by giving you the opportunity to develop and practice transferable skills that will be attractive to employers. These skills and capabilities include critical thinking, designing research, data analysis and interpretation, and using a statistical software package (jamovi). You will be familiar with descriptions of data, categorisation of data and basic statistical terminology, and will be able to demonstrate understanding and critical evaluation of basic research design, research methodology, and interpretation of findings. jamovi is a freely available, open source statistical package. It is used on the module so that you can continue to use the same software for work after your studies. 
Digital capabilities: You will have multiple opportunities to develop their digital capabilities, including accessing module materials, videos and quizzes, as well as completing worksheets and assignments using jamovi statistical software. 
Resourcefulness and resilience: The assessments and worksheets play an important role in developing your resourcefulness and resilience. In worksheets and assessments, you are given example studies and data sets and are required to determine the most appropriate method of statistical analysis to address the research aims and hypotheses. The completion of weekly worksheets  and MCQs gives you better understanding and confidence with statistics, leading to increased independence and resilience.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.