Statistics in Psychological Research from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Learn With PsycLearn Essentials

This module introduces you to your PsycLearn Essentials course. Find out what’s included in this course and how to navigate the modules and lessons. You’ll also learn valuable study tips for successful learning.

Introduction to Statistics for Psychological Research

This course will begin by introducing the basic concepts of how to describe and visualize data, the fundamentals of using statistics to make inferences, and the logic of null hypothesis testing. Various types of hypothesis tests will be introduced, along with criteria for selecting which is appropriate for different study conditions. As an extension of null hypothesis significance tests, you will learn about how to interpret effect sizes and confidence intervals, along with statistical power, before being introduced to alternatives to null hypothesis significance testing.

Data Analysis Basics

In this first section of the course, the fundamental concept of the variable is introduced and explained, along with some of the basic statistical methods we use to describe and summarize variables in data sets.

Null Hypothesis Significance Testing

In this module, we move on from descriptive statistics like the mean and standard deviation into inferential statistics, which help us use sample data to draw inferences about the populations the samples represent.

Beyond Null Hypothesis Significance Testing

In this section of the course, we consider the role of null hypothesis significance testing in psychological research, some objections that have been raised to that approach, and some alternative approaches that have been proposed.

Conclusion

Review the main ideas from the previous module, organized by learning objectives (LOs).

Course Assessment

Resources from the American Psychological Association

This module provides a variety of information and tools from the American Psychological Association (APA) that will help inspire you as you complete your coursework and plan your career goals. Get discounted access to Academic Writer, APA’s online tool for writing effectively, as well as valuable advice that will help you develop and strengthen your skillset for learning success and future employment. Additionally, explore resources on various psychological issues. This module also includes APA resources on scholarly research and writing; a list of sites providing valuable resources on diversity, equity, and inclusion in psychology education and in the professional community; resources on a career in psychology; and links to career opportunities at the APA. You can also view videos that offer tips on dealing with stress.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces foundational statistical terms that are vital to careers in research and analysis

Suitable for undergraduate and high school students studying psychology and related areas

Provides a starting point for individuals exploring statistics and research methods

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Statistics in Psychological Research with these activities:

Review of Probability and Calculus

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Strengthen your mathematical foundation by reviewing probability and calculus.

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Review your notes and textbooks on probability and calculus.
Complete practice problems and exercises.

Introduction to the Practice of Statistics

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Gain a foundational understanding of statistics and its practical applications.

View Introduction to the Practice of Statistics on Amazon

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Read the assigned chapters.
Complete the end-of-chapter exercises.
Summarize the key concepts in your own words.

Guided Tutorials on Statistical Software

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Enhance your proficiency in using statistical software to analyze data.

Browse courses on Statistical Software

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Identify a statistical software package that aligns with your research interests.
Follow online tutorials and documentation to learn the basics of the software.
Apply the software to analyze real-world datasets.

Six other activities

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Null Hypothesis Significance Testing Practice Problems

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Improve your understanding of null hypothesis significance testing by practicing solving problems.

Browse courses on Hypothesis Testing

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Review the concepts of null hypothesis significance testing.
Attempt the practice problems.
Check your answers against the provided solutions.

Online Discussion Forum Participation

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Engage in discussions with peers to clarify concepts and share insights.

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Read the discussion prompts and assigned materials.
Post thoughtful responses to the prompts.
Respond to the posts of your peers.

Infographic on Statistical Concepts

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Reinforce your understanding of statistical concepts by creating visual representations.

Browse courses on Statistics

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Choose a statistical concept to focus on.
Gather relevant data and information.
Design and create an infographic that clearly explains the concept.

Data Analysis Workshop

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Gain hands-on experience and practical knowledge in data analysis.

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Attend a data analysis workshop.
Participate actively in discussions and exercises.
Apply the techniques learned in the workshop to analyze real-world datasets.

Data Visualization Project

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Apply the principles of data visualization to create informative and visually appealing representations of data.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

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Identify a dataset and research data visualization techniques.
Select and use appropriate data visualization tools.
Create a data visualization that effectively communicates the insights from the data.

Volunteer at a Research Lab

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Gain practical experience in research design, data collection, and analysis.

Browse courses on Research Methods

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Identify research labs in your area of interest.
Contact the labs and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Assist researchers with data collection, analysis, or other research-related tasks.

Career center

Learners who complete Statistics in Psychological Research will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Analyst

Data Analysts use data to derive business insights for their company or organization. They analyze and interpret data to identify trends and make predictions. This course can help you build a foundation in the statistical concepts that underpin data analysis, helping you succeed in working with and interpreting data. Learning the process of null hypothesis significance testing will also be particularly valuable for you in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Market Researcher

Market Researchers conduct research to understand market trends and customer behavior. They use this information to help businesses make better decisions about product development, marketing, and sales. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in the statistical principles and methods used in market research, making you a more effective and credible researcher.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Researcher

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians apply statistical methods to medical and health-related data. This course will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in this field, by helping you develop a solid grounding in the statistical concepts that underpin biostatistics and the ability to communicate statistical results in a clear and concise way.

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Quantitative Psychologist

Quantitative Psychologists use statistical methods to study human behavior and cognition. This course will provide you with the foundation in statistics that is essential for success in this field. The course will provide you with a solid understanding of the statistical concepts and methods used in quantitative psychology research, from basic descriptive statistics to hypothesis testing and beyond. This course likewise covers powerful tools for conducting data analysis, such as SPSS and R.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Psychologist

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate the causes and patterns of disease in populations. This course can help build a foundation in the statistical methods used in epidemiology, such as hypothesis testing, data analysis, and regression analysis. It will also provide you with a better understanding of the ethical issues involved in research with human subjects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Survey Researcher

Survey Researchers design and conduct surveys to collect data from a sample of people. This course will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in this field. You will learn about the different types of surveys, the best ways to design and conduct a survey, and how to analyze and interpret data from these sources. This course will also provide you with a grounding in the ethical issues associated with survey research, such as privacy and confidentiality. By providing you with the essential statistical skills, this course can help you be more effective in designing and conducting surveys, and in analyzing and interpreting the resulting data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Survey Researcher

Psychometrician

Psychometricians develop and evaluate psychological tests and measures. This course may be useful for Psychometricians. It will provide you with a foundation in the statistical concepts and methods used in psychometrics, such as reliability and validity testing. Statistical theory pertaining to null hypothesis significance testing will be particularly useful and relevant for most tasks in this field.

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Educational Researcher

Educational Researchers use statistical methods to study teaching and learning. This course may be helpful for Educational Researchers. It can provide you with a foundation in the statistical analysis of educational data.

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Actuary

Actuaries use statistical methods to assess risk and uncertainty. This course may be useful for Actuaries. It will provide you with a foundation in the statistical concepts and methods used in actuarial science.

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Statistician

Statisticians apply statistical methods to solve problems in a wide range of fields, including medicine, business, and engineering. This course may be useful for aspiring Statisticians. It will provide you with a broad overview of the field of statistics and the foundational knowledge that will be useful regardless of your area of specialization.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use statistical methods to extract knowledge from data. This course will give you a solid foundation in the statistical methods that underpin much of data science. It will provide you with a working knowledge of data analysis techniques to help you succeed in this exciting and growing field.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts use statistical methods to evaluate investments. This course may be useful for aspiring Financial Analysts. It will provide you with a foundation in the statistical concepts and methods used in financial analysis.

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Operations Research Analyst

Operations Research Analysts use statistical methods to improve the efficiency of organizations. This course may be useful for aspiring Operations Research Analysts. It will provide you with a foundation in the statistical concepts and methods used in this field.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts use statistical methods to analyze business data and make recommendations for improvement. This course may be useful for aspiring Business Analysts. It will provide you with a foundation in the statistical concepts and methods used in business analysis.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers use statistical methods to develop and test software. This course may be useful for aspiring Software Engineers. It will provide you with a foundation in the statistical concepts and methods used in software engineering.

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