CSPP at
PSY6056-F1 Data Analysis,
Research Design & Program Evaluation
Spring 2014
Instructor: Merle Canfield,
Ph.D.
Contact Information: Phone: (559) 253-2237 E-mail:
mcanfield@alliant.edu
Cell :
(917-881-1398)
Office Hours: Mon-Fri. 8:00 to
9:00 in my office or by appointment.
Course Day/Time: Thursdays 1:00 PM to 3:55 PM
Location: Room 73
Teaching Assistant: TBD (see Moodle for
information)
This
course is instrumental in creating the basic level of knowledge required by
practicing psychologists to consume the vast and expanding quantities of
research literature in the area of practice they choose. This course will focus on
helping students develop an understanding of the statistical analyses used in
psychological research in order to enhance their understanding of the
literature and create competence to undertake research projects. Additionally,
this course prepares students to do research of their own including the
dissertation and evaluation of practice.
The course will focus simultaneously on completing and consuming
research. Additionally,
this class will cover general research design issues throughout the year as a
part of weekly class discussion. As a likely and frequently necessary area of
research for practicing psychologists, this course will include coverage of the
basics of program evaluation and incorporate real
world examples. Finally a significant portion of the first semester will focus
on psychological measurement.
A.
Course
Description: This is the second semester
course of a two semester sequence. It is a practical
course in research design, statistical analysis, psychological measurement, and
evaluation of clinical processes. Design
and statistical procedures are presented in “lectures” and each student will construct
tests, perform psychometrics, compre groups, and design a program evaluation proposal
and carry out the analysis and write a report on simulated data. In the process students will perform the
following statistical analysis: multiple regression, MANOVA, MANCOVA, factor
analysis, discriminant analysis, logistic analysis, and structural
equation modeling, and with all the necessary components. Psychotherapy research will be covered.
B.
Instructor
Assumptions: It is my assumption that we all need to have
a strong conceptual base for us to take full advantage of the power of statstics
in reseach. Consequently, the general
linear model will be brought to students attention
with the introduction of the statical analysis methods. Additionally, time will
be dedicated to the assumptions related to each statistic taught due to the importance
of assumptions. Additionally, attention
also must be paid to the difference between clinical and statistical
significance. Not all that is
statistically significant is important.
Thus, frequent attention will be devoted to measures of effect size and
how to report them. Philosophy of
science is often played out in the variaous statistical procedures and we will
consider internal and external threats to validity, and falsifiability.
C.
Specific Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of the first
semester of this course, students will be able to:
1. Understand assumptions for each statistical technique;
2. Understand the general linear model;
3. Conduct a number of statistical procedures using SPSS
and other statistical software;
4. Comprehend the necessary information in an SPSS
printout;
5. Write up statistical findings in APA style.
6. Comprehend basic psychological measurement theory.
7. Choose appropriate univariate and multivariate
statistical procedures;
8. Design a research project;
9. Describe and calculate different forms of reliability
and validity and how each can be assessed
10. Design instruments;
11.
Select and
critique instruments based on psychometric properties.
12.
Be conversant
with the most common methods for assessing therapeutic effectiveness; including
efficacy studies, effectiveness studies, and meta-analysis
13. Understand the basics of program evaluation;
14. Write and assess process and outcome questions for a
program evaluation;
15. Write a comprehensive research proposal;
16. Conduct culturally competent research;
D. Instructional Strategy: The
format of the class will utilize lecture, SPSS demonstration, small group
activities and a computer lab for students to obtain individual
assistance. Students can use the
discussion boards, assignments feature and other resources setup for this
course in Moodle. There will weekly
pre-test and post-tests. A paper
reporting on a program evalustion will be completed. It will include design, analysis, and report
of results. Need to discuss procedure
for interpreting results.
WEEK |
T |
Readings
|
Assignments |
Assignments Due |
1 2/3 |
Introcution to SPSS, review
univarite statistics, multivariate statistics, psychotherapy research,
programs evaluation;General Linear Model |
|
Assignment 1: Creste a set of
fake data and run: correlation; t-test; chi square |
|
2 2/10 |
Multiple Regression Models |
Tabachnick
Chapter 5 Psy605q.com |
Assignment 2: Mutiple
regression; stepwise regression |
Correlation; t-test; chi square syntax and output due. |
3 2/17 |
MANOVA and MANCOVA |
Tabachnick
Chapter 5 Psy605q.com |
ASMT 3: Part and partial correlations; hierarchical
|
Mutiple regression; stepwise regression due Part and partial correlations; hierarchical |
4 2/24 |
Test construction; write items;
reliability; validity |
Psy605q.com;validity
article |
ASMT 4: create a scale; get
people to complete with fake data; do reliability |
MANOVA and MANCOVA syntax and output files
|
5 3/5 |
Discriminant Analysis |
Tabachnick
Chapter 9 |
ASMT 5: Run at least two
discriminant functions – one on data from scale |
Syntax files and output from scale
|
6 3/10 |
Factor Anaysis |
Tabachnick
Chapter 13 |
ASMT 5: At least 4 factor
analysis runs assessing factor structer |
Discriminant functions – syntax filex and output |
7 3/17 |
Midterm Exam: Psychological
Measurement & Theory Psychological tests & test
score interpretation |
Psy605q.com
Psychometrics |
Assignment 6: Testing
information – cut-score; standard scores;norms |
A couple of syntax files and some output showing best factor structer |
8 3/24 |
Spring Break |
|
|
|
9 3/31 |
Structural
Equation Modeling |
Psy605q.com. |
Confirmatory factor analysis |
Testing information – cut-score; standard scores;norms |
10 4/7 |
Structural Equation Modeling
cont |
Psy605q.com |
Mediating structural model |
Confirmatory factor analysis runs due |
11 4/14 |
Potpourri of Research Design;
non-linear dat; dosage; measuring treatment |
Psy605q.com |
Runs for non-linear;
interaction; measing treatment |
Mediating structural model |
12 4/21 |
Logistic Regression |
Psy605q.com |
Runs for logistic regression. |
Syntax & output for non-linear; interaction; measring treatment |
13 4/28 |
Cluster Analysis |
Psy605q.com;
template for Private Practive Outcome |
Run Cluster Analysis |
Syntax files and output for logistic regression |
14 5/5 |
Prog Eval: Introduction Private practice; psychothereapy research |
Psy605q.com;
template for Private Practive Outcome |
Work on scales; analysis; |
Syntax and output for cluster analysis |
15 5/12 |
Prog Eval: Continued – Agency
providing MH services;psychotherapy research |
Psy605q.com;
template for Private Practive Outcome |
Work on report |
Analysis of evaluation of agency providing MH services. |
16 5/19 |
Possible: Profile analysis or
Survival analysis |
Study for exam |
|
Scales; syntax files |
17 5/26 |
Final Exam |
|
|
Program evaluation report due |
IV. Bibliography
Required Texts
Tabachnick & Fidell (2013). Using Multivariate Statistics. 6th edition.
Pearson, New York.
Canfield, M.
L. psy605q.com
Spring
Semester
Homework (week post) 30% 10 points per syntax and output
post (15 posts – 150 points)
Weekly Exams 30% 1 point per each correct answer
(150 points)
Midterm Exam 10% 1 point per each correct answer
(50 questions)
Final Exam 10% 1 point per each correct answer
(50 questions)
Evaluation Paper 20% 1 point per each correct answer
(100 points)
Please note: Percentages are approximate. Point values will be followed precisely.
97 - 100% of possible points A+
93 - 96 % A
89 - 92 % A-
85 - 88 % B+
81 – 84% B
77 – 80% B-
below 80% (1600
points or less) will receive an F for the course
Homework: The syntax for SPSS/EQS run plus the output from the
run (discuss in class).
Weekley Exams: The
weekly exams will cover the material covered in the previous class.
Midterm Exam: The midterm (50 items) will cover mataial covered.
Final Exam: Material covered from Midterm to last class (50 items).
Paper: Paper on program evaluation.
VI. Right to Alter Syllabus
This syllabus does not constitute a contract between
the instructor and the students in the course.
While every effort will be made to present the material as described the
instructor retains the right to alter the syllabus for any reason at any
time. When such changes are made every
effort will be made to provide students with both adequeate notification of the
changes and to provide them with sufficient time to meet any changes in the
course requirements.
VII. Course Specific Policies
A.
Class
Attendance, Lateness, Missed Exams or Assignments The University
expects regular class attendance by all students. Each student is responsible for all academic
work missed during absences. When an
absence is necessary, students should contact the instructor and to check for
assignments. See the University Catalog
for the complete policy on attendance. When
prolonged absence is necessary, students should contact the instructor in
advance if at all possible or as quickly as possible if there are unforeseen
absences. Student will be expected to
complete the necessary work before the absence or immediately upon return.
B. Credit Hour
Policy: This three-unit
course requires 9 hours per week of work.
This will typically include three hours a week of classroom instruction/work. In addition it is expected that homework and
assignments require an additional six hours of outside work per week for a
total of 135 hours of student work per semester. Some weeks the three hours of classroom time
will be replaced by online video lectures and other materials.
C.
Cancellation of
Registration: The
University reserves the right to cancel the registration of any student who
does not comply with Alliant rules, regulations, or policies including the
nonpayment of tuition fees.
D.
Participation: Weekly
participation in class is required. Failure
to participate in class discussions can result in a lowering of your course
grade.
E.
Grading Policy: All assignments must be submitted
through the assignments function in Moodle except for hand written calculations
which can be turned in to the TAs mailbox on campus. Late
papers or assignments will not be accepted without prior clearance from
the instructor.
INFORMATION
APPLYING TO ALL COURSES
VIII. Program, Campus,
School and University Policies
A. Policy on Course Requirements During Religious Holidays In keeping with
the institution’s commitment to respect and affirm cultural, religious, and
spiritual diversity, the University supports the rights of students, staff, and
faculty to observe religious/cultural/spiritual obligations that conflict with
the University’s schedule. Faculty instructors and
staff/administrative supervisory personnel are expected to make reasonable
accommodations when a student or an employee is absent from class or work
because of religious/cultural/spiritual observance.
A student who plans to be absent from class because
of a religious/cultural/spiritual observance is expected to request
accommodations by his/her instructors at least two weeks prior to the date in
question, and preferably within the first two weeks of the semester. A
student who makes such a request in advance must be given the opportunity to
make up the work which was missed, provided that the make-up work does not
create an unreasonable burden on the instructor or the University.
Students should suffer no adverse or prejudicial effects for missing class when
they have given due notice in advance. However, absence from classes or
from examinations does not relieve students of the responsibility for meeting
the course requirements. This policy does not change existing course or
academic program policies with respect to the impact of absences or missed
class time on the student’s evaluation. However, instructors are
encouraged to consider whether students, who, because of
religious/cultural/spiritual observance, miss more than the expected class
time, might do so without penalty. It is understood that the instructor’s
ability to do this will likely be based on the characteristics and expectations
of the particular course and the
importance of maintaining the quality of the academic program..
B. Responsibility to Keep Copies Remember – it is good
practice to keep copies of ALL major assignments/papers you turn in. On rare occasion, work may be lost because of
computer failure or other mishaps.
C. Respectful Speech and
D. Academic Code of Conduct and Ethics The University is
committed to principles of scholastic honesty.
Its members are expected to abide by ethical standards both in their
conduct and in their exercise of responsibility towards other members of the
community. Each student’s conduct is
expected to be in accordance with the standards of the University. The
complete Academic Code, which covers acts of misconduct including assistance
during examination, fabrication of data, plagiarism, unauthorized
collaboration, and assisting other students in acts of misconduct, among
others, may be found in the Alliant Catalog. The University reserves the right to use
plagiarism detection software.
E. Student Disclosure of Personal Information. Students may be (therefore) be required to participate in learning activities that
require different levels of self-disclousre.
These multiple evaluative areas include but are not limited to,
demonstration of sufficient: 1) interpersonal and professional competence; b)
self-awareness, self-reflection and self-evaluation; c) openness to processes
of supervision; and d) resolution of problems or issues that interfere with
professional development or functioning in a satisfactory manner. (The complete CSPP policy on disclosure of
personal information is contained in the Alliant catalogue.)
F. Academic Standing:
Within CSPP students remain in Good Academic Standing unless they meet
one of the following criteria. Students
are placed on Warning if they receive 1 grade of C or lower. Students are placed on Probation if they
receive 2 Cs or 1 C and 1 D/F in the first 60 units of their program OR 3 Cs or
2 D/Fs and 1 C. Students will be
terminated from the program if their GPA falls below a 3.0 or they remain on
Probation for 2 consecutive semesters.
The complete CSPP Academic Standing policy is contained in the Alliant
catalogue.
G.
IRB policy [in
progress]
IX. Accomodations and
Resources
1.
Disability Accommodations If you need disability-related
accommodations in this class, please see me privately. All accommodations must be requested in a
timely manner (at least 2 weeks ahead of time) with a letter of support for
Alliant’s Office of Disability Services.
If you have questions about accommodations, please contact the Office of
Disability Services.
2. Obtaining Tutoring or Other Student Support Services Tutors are available
to help students with course-based or exam-based needs. Contact the Director of Student Support Services
for information on obtaining tutoring – or other student support services – on
your campus.
3. Problem Solving Resources If problems arise
with faculty, other students, staff, or student support services, students
should use the University Problem Solving Procedures located on the web at http://www.alliant.edu/academic/studentproblemsolving/Student_
GrievancePolicy.pdf or contact the University Ombudsperson.