Course Catalogue
2014 - 2015

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Multivariate Analysis

Catalogue number

7205RM31XY

Credits

6

Language of the course

English

Entry requirements

Bachelor of Psychology

Time period(s)

Sem. 1Sem. 2

Educational institute

Psychology

Organised by

research group methodenleer

Lecturer(s)

(Information: L.J.Waldorp@uva.nl )

Is part of

Register

Objectives

This course will cover a range of multivariate methods. By the end of the course, students will be able to explain the logic of each analysis technique covered, to know the conditions (e.g,. type of data, assumptions) under which each technique is appropriate, to select the most appropriate method for a given research question, to implement each technique using real data in R, and to interpret the software output in terms of the research question.

Contents

Multivariate analysis encompasses a range of methods for exploring and modeling data with more than one dependent variable. Multivariate analysis techniques that we will cover in this course include multivariate and repeated measures ANOVA, cluster analysis, principal components analysis and factor analysis, and canonical correlation analysis. This course will begin with some fundamentals of matrix algebra and R, to provide a framework in which we will work and learn. We will then move onto some techniques for plotting and exploring multivariate data, followed by other exploratory and confirmatory analyses. There will be a strong focus on understanding the basic idea of each analysis technique (including the main equations that underlie the model) and on interpreting the output with respect to substantive theory. Practicals and assignments will give ample opportunity to practice implementing each method in R. This course will be time-intensive, and you should expect to spend 20 hours per week on this course.

Format

Lectures on Tuesdays and practicals on Thursdays.

Time

www.rooster.uva.nl

Cost

  • Everitt, B. S. (2005). An R and S-PLUS companion to multivariate analysis. London: Springer-Verlag. ISBN 9781852338824, ±€ 75, Available online through the UvA library.
  • Additional readings to be announced on Blackboard.

Min/max participants

Max. 60

Assessment

Assignments/Quizzes (40%), midterm test (25%), and final exam (35%). To pass you must obtain at least a 5.5 on the final exam.

Remarks

Also suitable as a course for PhD students to (re)inform themselves on relevant methods of analysis. PhD’s can apply by contacting Piet van der Waals, e-mail obalie-fmg@uva.nl.