Utrecht, Netherlands

Applied Multivariate Analysis

The summer school course 'Applied Multivariate Analysis' offers hands-on experience using SPSS for the most frequently encountered multivariate statistical techniques in the social and behavioural sciences. The emphasis is on applying multivariate techniques using the computer programme SPSS, and on how to interpret the SPSS output in substantive terms. During the course, we do not discuss the mathematical details of these techniques.

This course offers hands-on experience using SPSS for the most frequently encountered multivariate statistical techniques in the social and behavioural sciences. The emphasis is on applying multivariate techniques using the computer programme SPSS and on how to interpret SPSS output in substantive terms. We do not discuss the mathematical details of these techniques.

Many research questions in the social and behavioural sciences are investigated using statistical models. We offer a crash course in applied multivariate analysis in which we focus on simple and factorial ANOVA, interaction effects, repeated measures ANOVA, ANCOVA, MANOVA, MANCOVA, multiple linear regression analysis (including the use of dummy variables), logistic regression analysis, and exploratory factor analysis.

In this course the emphasis is on applying multivariate techniques using the computer program SPSS, and on how to interpret SPSS output in substantive terms. We do NOT discuss the mathematical details of these techniques.

We use the book by Andy Field (2018) Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS, London: Sage (fifth edition). This book is not included in the course materials. The book should be purchased in advance (ISBN 978-1-5264-1951-4 / ISBN 978-1-5264-1952-1 (pbk).

Participants are requested to bring their own laptop for lab meetings. Software will be available online.

Please note that there is always the possibility that we have to change the course pending COVID19-related developments. The exact details, including a day-to-day program, will be communicated 6 weeks prior to the start of the course.

Course leader

Dr. David Hessen

Target group

Students with a BSc in Social and Behavioural Sciences who have only an introductory knowledge of statistics. Students should be familiar with the following concepts: null hypothesis, alternative hypothesis, population, sample, statistical significance, practical and theoretical significance, correlation, regression, t-test and ANOVA. Some experience with SPSS is advisable. A maximum of 75 participants will be allowed to participate in this course.

Fee info

EUR 715: Course + course materials
EUR 450: Housing fee (optional)