Scientific Publishing Statistics And Experimental Design For Psychologists: A Model Comparison Approach

This is the first textbook for psychologists which combines the model comparison method in statistics with a hands-on guide to computer-based analysis and clear explanations of the links between models, hypotheses and experimental designs. Statistics is often seen as a set of cookbook recipes which must be learned by heart. Model comparison, by contrast, provides a mental roadmap that not only gives a deeper level of understanding, but can be used as a general procedure to tackle those problems which can be solved using orthodox statistical methods.Statistics and Experimental Design for Psychologists focusses on the role of Occam's principle, and explains significance testing as a means by which the null and experimental hypotheses are compared using the twin criteria of parsimony and accuracy. This approach is backed up with a strong visual element, including for the first time a clear illustration of what the F-ratio actually does, and why it is so ubiquitous in statistical testing.The book covers the main statistical methods up to multifactorial and repeated measures, ANOVA and the basic experimental designs associated with them. The associated online supplementary material extends this coverage to multiple regression, exploratory factor analysis, power calculations and other more advanced topics, and provides screencasts demonstrating the use of programs on a standard statistical package, SPSS.Of particular value to third year undergraduate as well as graduate students, this book will also have a broad appeal to anyone wanting a deeper understanding of the scientific method. From the Back Cover The knowledge of how to calculate and use statistics are necessary skills for all psychology students. Although this discipline can be daunting, the usual fear and anxiety inspired by statistics can be overcome by explaining the fundamental concepts in everyday terms, and in their historical context. This book combines clear explanations of how and why experiments and statistical tests work, with a practical, hands-on training in statistical analysis and data processing. The approach draws on modern language training methods, teaching usable skills at every level and providing motivation for continued learning. It offers readers a single volume containing all they will need to plan, carry out and write up an end of course research project at undergraduate and graduate level. Accompanying the book is a unique set of online audio and visual resources that demonstrate the use of the standard statistical computer package, SPSS. This book will be of particular value to third year undergraduate and masters students, but will also have a broad appeal to anyone wanting a deeper understanding of the scientific method.