Faculty of Humanities

Department of Psychology

Learning Guide

Research and Statistics

3AA3 & 3A11
2022

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Module name Research and Statistics

Module code PSY3AA3 & PSY3A11

NQF level 7

Semester Semester 1/ 2022

Contact information

Lecturers Prof C van Zyl (module coordinator)

C Ring 430
011 559-3353

Prof N Morojele
C Ring 423
011 559-3132

Department administrative Ms Anita Smyth

assistant C Ring 415
011 559-3653
Table of contents

Introduction_________________________________________________________________1
Prescribed resources__________________________________________________________1
Assessments________________________________________________________________1
Examination________________________________________________________________2
Supplementary tests and exams._________________________________________________2
Tutorials___________________________________________________________________2
Lecture schedule_____________________________________________________________3
Structure of the Course________________________________________________________5
Course Rules_______________________________________________________________13

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Learning Guide PS3AA3 & PSY3A11
Introduction

Research is a critical element of any academic endeavour, and forms the bedrock of the academic
project. This module introduces students to a range of conceptual, theoretical and methodological
approaches to doing research in psychology. It seeks to introduce students to some of the
foundational elements of research design and statistics. As such, the module comprise of two
relatively distinct sections. In the first half of the course students are introduced to statistics, in
particular to descriptive and inferential statistics, and in the second half, a variety of research
designs and procedures.
NB: This module will be essentially online. Thus, there will be no face-to-face lectures. All lectures
will be in an electronic format. All important information regarding tests (i.e., when and how they
will be written) and other relevant announcements will be communicated via ulink during the
semester. There are tutors and tutorials to help you as well (please see tutorial schedule). In
addition, lecturers will be available on Wednesday mornings at 08h00 for questions
(DLabBasek03), however, there will be no lecture in this time, or any other face-to-face classes.
Both DFC and APK students are welcome to ask questions in this timeslot.

Prescribed resources

 Gravetter, F.J. & Forzano, L. B. (2012). Research methods for the behavioural sciences (4 th or
5th eds). Australia: Cengage.
 Caldwell, S. Statistics unplugged (3 rd Edition or 4th Edition). Belmont, CA: Thomson.
 Navarro, D., Foxcroft, D., & Faulkenberry, T.J. (2019). Learning Statistics with JASP: A Tutorial
for Psychology Students and Other Beginners. – download from Blackboard.

Assessments

There are two mandatory semester tests for this module, one for the statistics component and one
for the research component.

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Learning Guide PS3AA3 & PSY3A11
Assessment structure:

Assessment Date/s Weighting

Semester Test 1 – TBC 50%
Semester
Statistics
mark:
Semester Test 2 – TBC 50%
50%
Research
Final exam – Research TBC 100% Final Mark
and Statisitics combined
Exam
in one exam
Mark: 50%

Note: TBC = to be confirmed;

NOTE: A minimum average of 40% is required for the two semester tests to qualify for the exam.

Examination

 The examination will cover both the Statistics and Research components in one paper. A
minimum mark of 50% for the exam is required to pass the module.

Supplementary tests and exams.

 Valid medical certificates are required for missed semester tests, and must be submitted at C
Ring 440 within seven days from the test date.
 For missed exams, please contact the faculty office in C Ring 2 to submit relevant medical
documentation and apply to write the sick test.

Tutorials

This information will be communicated via Blackboard.

Lecture schedule

Lecture schedule for APK

Week of Unit Chapter Description Lecturer

SECTION A

14-18 February 1 1 Introduction to Statistics Prof C van Zyl

21-25 February 2 2 Describing data

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 28 Feb-4 March 3 3 Data Distributions

7-11 March 3 4 Data Distributions

14-18 March SEMESTER TEST 1

21-25 March 5 6 Confidence Intervals

28-31 March 6 7 Introduction to hypothesis testing

SECTION B

11-15 April 1 1 Methods for Acquiring Knowledge Prof N Morojele

18-22 April 2A & 2B 2&3 Finding Research Ideas &

Measuring Variables

SELF STUDY 3 4 Research Ethics

25-29 April 4A & 4B 5&6 Selecting research participants &

Research Strategies and Validity

2-6 May 5A 7 Experimental Research

9-13 May SEMESTER TEST 2

16-20 May 5B 12 & 13 The Correlational Research

Strategy & Descriptive Research
23-27 May 6 Qualitative Research Methods

Structure of the Statistics

component (Part 1)
While classes are normally scheduled during non-COVID times on Wednesdays for APK
students and on Tuesdays and Thursdays for DFC students, these will not be used this year,
although additional online lectures may be scheduled in these timeslots should the need
arise, however this will be communicated in time via Blackboard. All online lecture content
will become available on Blackboard in the beginning of each week as per the schedule. You
are expected to go through the work each week to stay on schedule.

As mentioned, the statistics course will be taught using an online learning approach. There
are four resources at your disposal:
1. Text book: The text book will be your primary source of learning material.
2. Narrated lecture slides: These slides will be made available on Blackboard each as
per the schedule. These are detailed slides with examples, and you are expected to

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Learning Guide PS3AA3 & PSY3A11
 cover the material in detail each week to stay on schedule. With narrated lecture
slides you can go through the material as many times as you need to, to ensure that
you properly understand it.
3. There will be tutors for the module. Further information about them and the times
they will be available will be placed on Blackboard.

It is possible to pass the course by reading the text book and studying the slides. However,
to do well in the course, we strongly encourage you to engage with all resources:
1. The textbook/readings will introduce and the basic concepts and explain them in
depth
2. The lecture slides will briefly explain the concepts and go through examples.
3. The tutorials will provide opportunity to ask questions and to practice answering
questions.

Learning outcomes for part 1 (Statistics)

Reading and exercises Outcomes

Study Unit 1  Explain what a variable is.

Introduction to Statistics
PRESCRIBED READING:
Caldwell. Statistics
Unplugged (3rd or 4th
Edition), Chapter 1
 Distinguish between data, data sets, data points and data
distributions.
 Explain what a frequency distribution is.
 Describe the different levels of measurement used in
psychological research.
 Define what is meant by population and sample.
 Distinguish between descriptive and inferential statistics.
 Distinguish between a statistic and a parameter.

Study Unit 2  Identify and calculate the Mean, the Median, and the Mode of

Describing Data a data set.

 Explain measures of variability and dispersion.
PRESCRIBED READING
 Identify and calculate the Deviation from the Mean, the Mean
Caldwell. Statistics
Unplugged (3rd or 4th Deviation, the Variance and the Standard Deviation.
Edition), Chapter 2

Study Unit 3  Define the basic elements of the shape of distributions of

Data Distributions data.

 Explain what is meant by skewed and symmetrical
PRESCRIBED READING
distributions.

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Learning Guide PS3AA3 & PSY3A11
Caldwell. Statistics
Unplugged (3rd or 4th
Edition), Chapter 3 &
Chapter 4.
Study Unit 4
Fundamentals of Statistics
PRESCRIBED READING
Caldwell. Statistics
Unplugged (3rd or 4th
Edition), Chapter 5.
Study Unit 5
Confidence Intervals
PRESCRIBED READING
Caldwell. Statistics
Unplugged (3rd Edition),
Chapter 6, pp. 108-147
Study Unit 6
Introduction to Hypothesis
 Explain what an extreme score or value is.
Testing
 Calculate a single sample test with σ known and interpret the
PRESCRIBED READING
Caldwell. Statistics
Unplugged (3rd or 4th
Edition), Chapter 7.
Learning Guide PS3AA3 & PSY3A11
 Distinguish a normal curve from other distributions.
 Describe the relevance of the area underneath the normal
curve for behavioural statistics.
 Demonstrate the relationship between standard deviations
and the area under the normal curve.
 Explain the Z-score and its relationship to the normal curve’s
properties.
 Demonstrate how simple statistical problems can be solved by
using the Z-score and Z-ratio calculations.
 Define and explain the concept of random sampling.
 Define and explain the concept of the sampling distribution of
sampling means.
 Define and explain the concept of the central limit theorem.
 Demonstrate that you can apply these four fundamental
concepts to the analysis of data in the behavioural sciences.
 Explain what a confidence interval for the mean is.
 Identify and calculate a confidence interval for the mean with
the standard deviation of the population known.
 Identify and calculate a confidence interval for the mean with
the standard deviation of the population unknown.
 Demonstrate that you can apply your knowledge when
interpreting data obtained in the behavioural sciences.
 Explain what a null hypothesis is and how it might be
expressed.
results
 Explain levels of significance, critical values and the critical
region and their relationship to the null hypothesis.
 Differentiate between Type I and Type II errors.
 Calculate a single sample test with σ unknown and interpret
the results
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 Structure of the Research
Methods component (Part 2)
The research methods course will be taught using an augmented blended learning
approach. There are four resources at your disposal:
4. Text book: The text book will be your primary source of learning material.
5. Audio/video lectures: Slides will be available on Blackboard a few days prior to each
lecture. Where possible, the slides will be annotated using audio/video.
6. Lectures: The traditional lectures will take the form of enrichment sessions where
the lecturer will consolidate learning with discussions, videos and other learning
activities. The aim of enrichment sessions is not to repeat what is in the slides, but to
discuss their application in our contexts.
7. Tutorials: The tutorials will focus on assessments, for example, the kinds of questions
that can be expected in the test and the examination, how to answer those
questions and, importantly, what makes a good answer.

It is possible to pass the course by reading the text book and listening to the audio/video
lectures. However, to do well in the course, we strongly encourage you to engage with all
four resources because they focus on different but important aspects of the course:
4. The textbook/readings will introduce you to the basic concepts.
5. The audio/video lectures will explain the concepts.
6. The lecture/enrichment sessions will teach you how to apply the concepts to real
world situations.
7. The tutorials will teach you how to answer questions about the concepts.

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Learning Guide PS3AA3 & PSY3A11
Learning outcomes for part 2 (Research)

Reading and exercises Outcomes

Study Unit 1  Indicate the relevance and usefulness of research

methodology in everyday life, as well as in the behavioural
Methods for Acquiring
sciences
Knowledge
 Describe and identify examples of the basic methods of
knowing and acquiring knowledge, especially the method of
authority, the rational method, and the empirical method. In
PRESCRIBED READING:
addition, you should understand the problems that can occur
Gravetter & Forzano,
when any of these methods is used by itself.
Chapter 1, p. 1-36
 Explain the basic framework that constitutes the scientific
method.
 Describe the characteristics of a good scientific hypothesis and
EXERCISES
identify examples of both good and bad hypotheses.
1. Ensure that you are able
 Demonstrate how the scientific method can be applied to
to define/explain all key
everyday situations through the step-by-step research
words mentioned on p. 34.
process.
2. Do all the exercises on
pages 34-36.

Study Unit 2A  Explain how to get started with the research process and what
to keep in mind
Finding Research Ideas
 Describe common sources for research ideas and common
mistakes in choosing a research topic
PRESCRIBED READING
 Explain what is involved in conducting a literature search
Gravetter & Forzano,
 Convert a research idea into a specific research hypothesis
Chapter 2, p. 37-62
 Point out important aspects to keep in mind when critically
reading a research article
EXERCISES
1. Ensure that you are able
to define/explain all key
words mentioned on p. 61.

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Learning Guide PS3AA3 & PSY3A11
2. Complete all the exercises
on pages 96-98.

Study Unit 2B  Briefly describe what is meant by ‘measurement’

 Describe the concept and the purpose of an operational
Defining and Measuring
definition.
Variables
 Discuss validity of measurement in detail.
 Discuss reliability of measurement in detail.
PRESCRIBED READING
 Indicate the relationship between reliability and validity
Gravetter & Forzano,
 Compare and contrast the four scales of measurement
Chapter 3, pages 63-98
 Describe various factors that could influence the choice of
EXERCISES measurement procedure
1. Ensure that you are able
to define/explain all key
words mentioned on p. 95.
2. Do all of the exercises on
pages 96-98.

Study Unit 3  Discuss ethical considerations and their importance

throughout the research process
Ethics in research (Self-
 Identify and describe two basic categories of ethical
study)
responsibility
 Briefly discuss the historical background regarding ethical
PRESCRIBED READING treatment of human participants
Gravetter & Forzano,  Discuss the following ethical issues: no harm, informed
Chapter 4, pages 99-129. consent, deception, confidentiality, fraud, and plagiarism.

EXERCISES
1. Ensure that you are able
to define/explain all key
words mentioned on p. 127
2. Do all the exercises on
pages 127-129.

Study Unit 4A  Discuss the relationship between a sample and the

population and explain the importance of obtaining
Selecting Research
representative, as opposed to biased, samples.
Participants (Sampling)
 Explain the basics of sampling
 Distinguish between probability sampling and non-probability
PRESCRIBED READING
sampling
Gravetter & Forzano,
 Describe six probability sampling methods
Chapter 5, pages 131-152.
 Describe two non-probability sampling methods
 Describe the techniques that can help limit the risk of bias in
EXERCISES
a convenience sample.
1. Ensure that you are able

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Learning Guide PS3AA3 & PSY3A11
to define/explain all key
words mentioned on page
150.
2. Do all the exercises on
pages 150-152.
Study Unit 4B
Researcher Strategies and
Validity
PRESCRIBED READING
Gravetter & Forzano,
Chapter 6, p. 153-186.
EXERCISES
1. Ensure that you are able
to define/explain all key
words mentioned on p. 184,
2. Do all the exercises on p.
184-186.
Study Unit 5A
The Experimental Research
Strategy
PRESCRIBED READING  Describe the elements of an experiment in detail
Gravetter & Forzano, 
Chapter 7, p. 187-218.
EXERCISES
1. Ensure that you are able
to define/explain all key
words mentioned on p. 216.
2. Do the exercises on p.
216-217.
Study Unit 5B
The Correlational Research
Strategy
PRESCRIBED READING
Gravetter & Forzano,
Chapter 12, 347-367Chapter
Learning Guide PS3AA3 & PSY3A11
 Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative research
 Describe the five research strategies and the differences
among them.
 Explain what is meant by validity of a research study and
threats to validity.
 Describe and distinguish between internal and external
validity
 Discuss threats to internal validity
 Discuss threats to external validity
 Explain how an artefact can threaten both the internal and
external validity of a research study and describe what
experimenter expectancy and demand characteristics are.
 Describe validity as it relates to each of the main research
strategies
 Distinguish between research strategy, research design, and
research procedures
 Describe the general purpose of an experimental research
study and how it differs from other types of research.
 Discuss various issues related to cause and effect
relationships
Explain how a researcher would deal with extraneous
variables
 Discuss the function of control groups
 Explain what is involved in manipulation checks
 Explain how the external validity of an experimental study
can be increased
 Discuss the correlational research strategy in depth
 Explain how data is dealt with in a correlational study
 Describe different applications of the correlational strategy
 Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the correlational
strategy
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 8 - Section 8.3 (117 – 120)

EXERCISES
1. Ensure that you are able
to define/explain all key
words mentioned on p. 365.
2. Do all of the exercises on
pages 365-367.

Study Unit 5C  Explain the purpose of the descriptive research strategy.

 Describe the general characteristics of the observational
Descriptive Research
research design and differentiate between natural
observation, participant observation, and contrived
PRESCRIBED READING
observation.
Gravetter & Forzano,
 Describe the general characteristics of the survey research
Chapter 13, p. 369-400.
design and its general strengths and weaknesses.

EXERCISES
1. Ensure that you are able
to define/explain all key
words mentioned on p. 398.
2. Do all of the exercises
398-400.
Study Unit 6  Understand how qualitative research differs from
quantitative research.
Qualitative Research
 Describe six common qualitative research designs.
Methods
 Understand how qualitative research may apply to real world
research.
PRESCRIBED READING:
Merriam, S.B., &  Tisdell, E.J.
(2015). Qualitative research.
A guide to design and
implementation. John Wiley
& Sons. ( Fourth Edition).
Chapter 1 & Chapter 2,
Pages 3-42.

Course Rules

1. All tests must be written on the announced dates.

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Learning Guide PS3AA3 & PSY3A11
  If a student misses a test because of illness, the lecturer must be notified within seven days
after the test1, as well as be supplied with a medical certificate which contains the following:
(i) the nature of the illness,
(ii) the doctor's judgment that the student is unable to write the test due to the illness, as well
as the number of days rest recommended by the doctor;
(iii) the precise date on which the doctor examined the student.

2. If you get into any kind of trouble affecting your performance in this course, inform your
lecturer immediately. No late excuses will be considered or accepted. Any request or excuse
presented two weeks after an event will not be considered.

3. Treat the tutors with respect. The tutors provide a valuable service to students. Tutors are there
for [i] assistance with work not understood, [ii] advice about preparation for tests, [iii] guidance
when doing text-analyses, [iv] aid when writing essays, [v] discussions about planning your
studies, and [vi] support with any other academic problems with this course. If the tutors cannot
help you solve your problem, you can make an appointment with the lecturer.

1
This is according to Rule 10.5 in the General Regulations. Note though that time constraints (such as
the fact that end of term is usually two-three weeks after our semester tests) may cause departments
to shorten this period to three to four days.

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