Psicometria e metodologia della ricerca
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course is aimed at acquiring the most widely used statistical concepts and methods of analysis in psychological research. It aims to provide knowledge related to:
- Basic elements for psychometrics, such as the concepts of relation, function, combinatorial calculus, measurement scale;
- Theoretical foundations of statistical procedures oriented to the exploration and interpretation of data in applied research;
- Descriptive and inferential statistics, with a focus on probability and its distributions, samples, variables, hypotheses and statistical tests.
- Basic elements for psychometrics, such as the concepts of relation, function, combinatorial calculus, measurement scale;
- Theoretical foundations of statistical procedures oriented to the exploration and interpretation of data in applied research;
- Descriptive and inferential statistics, with a focus on probability and its distributions, samples, variables, hypotheses and statistical tests.
Expected learning outcomes
Specifically, at the end of the course students will be able to:
- Understand the proposed statistical methodologies;
- Perform practical exercises applying the psychometric techniques discussed;
- Select the data analysis tools most appropriate to the nature of the phenomenon under study;
- Apply univariate and bivariate statistical inference methods to test specific research hypotheses in one or more data samples;
- Apply acquired skills in practical contexts related to psychology;
- Evaluate and interpret the results of statistical analyses, formulate conclusions consistent with the relevant statistical model.
- Understand the proposed statistical methodologies;
- Perform practical exercises applying the psychometric techniques discussed;
- Select the data analysis tools most appropriate to the nature of the phenomenon under study;
- Apply univariate and bivariate statistical inference methods to test specific research hypotheses in one or more data samples;
- Apply acquired skills in practical contexts related to psychology;
- Evaluate and interpret the results of statistical analyses, formulate conclusions consistent with the relevant statistical model.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Course syllabus
The course will cover the following topics:
Research methodology
· Research process
· Research designs: Experimental, longitudinal, cross-sectional, and special cases
· Research issues: Sampling, confounding effects, ethical issues, questionable practices, and open science
· Construction and standardization of psychological tests
Psychometrics
Descriptive Statistics
· Levels of measurement
· Indices of central tendency and variability
· Frequency distributions
· Graphs
· z-scores
Inferential statistics
· Hypothesis testing
· Power analysis
· z- and t-tests
· ANOVA
· Correlation
· Linear regression
· Chi-square
Students are expected to be able to perform the analyses covered in class using jamovi and G*Power software, the use of which will be explained in class. The software will be available on the computers in aula Cono 1 and aula Cono 2 during class. However, I strongly recommend installing G*Power, and especially jamovi, on your personal computer to continue practicing at home (exercises will be assigned from one lesson to another). Students may follow the class using their own computer. Both jamovi and G*Power are free and can be downloaded from the following addresses:
· Jamovi: https://www.jamovi.org/download.html (the "solid" version is recommended)
· G*Power: https://www.psychologie.hhu.de/arbeitsgruppen/allgemeine-psychologie-und-arbeitspsychologie/gpower
Research methodology
· Research process
· Research designs: Experimental, longitudinal, cross-sectional, and special cases
· Research issues: Sampling, confounding effects, ethical issues, questionable practices, and open science
· Construction and standardization of psychological tests
Psychometrics
Descriptive Statistics
· Levels of measurement
· Indices of central tendency and variability
· Frequency distributions
· Graphs
· z-scores
Inferential statistics
· Hypothesis testing
· Power analysis
· z- and t-tests
· ANOVA
· Correlation
· Linear regression
· Chi-square
Students are expected to be able to perform the analyses covered in class using jamovi and G*Power software, the use of which will be explained in class. The software will be available on the computers in aula Cono 1 and aula Cono 2 during class. However, I strongly recommend installing G*Power, and especially jamovi, on your personal computer to continue practicing at home (exercises will be assigned from one lesson to another). Students may follow the class using their own computer. Both jamovi and G*Power are free and can be downloaded from the following addresses:
· Jamovi: https://www.jamovi.org/download.html (the "solid" version is recommended)
· G*Power: https://www.psychologie.hhu.de/arbeitsgruppen/allgemeine-psychologie-und-arbeitspsychologie/gpower
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge is required.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons accompanied by exercises.
Teaching Resources
Mandatory textbook:
Aron, A., Coups, E. J., Aron, E., & Cooley, E. (2024). Fondamenti di psicometria per la ricerca (7a edizione). Pearson. https://he.pearson.it/bundle/799?isbn=9788891909688
Strongly recommended textbook for a deeper understanding of research methodology:
Howitt, D., & Cramer, D. (2020). Metodologia della ricerca in psicologia (5a edizione) Pearson. https://he.pearson.it/bundle/585
Exercise textbook for practicing jamovi:
Areni, A., Scalisi, T. G., Bosco, A., & Caffò, A. (2020). Esercitazioni di psicometria. Problemi ed esercizi svolti e commentati (2a edizione). Edra. https://shop.edraspa.it/universita-psicologia/books/esercitazioni-di-psicometria
Aron, A., Coups, E. J., Aron, E., & Cooley, E. (2024). Fondamenti di psicometria per la ricerca (7a edizione). Pearson. https://he.pearson.it/bundle/799?isbn=9788891909688
Strongly recommended textbook for a deeper understanding of research methodology:
Howitt, D., & Cramer, D. (2020). Metodologia della ricerca in psicologia (5a edizione) Pearson. https://he.pearson.it/bundle/585
Exercise textbook for practicing jamovi:
Areni, A., Scalisi, T. G., Bosco, A., & Caffò, A. (2020). Esercitazioni di psicometria. Problemi ed esercizi svolti e commentati (2a edizione). Edra. https://shop.edraspa.it/universita-psicologia/books/esercitazioni-di-psicometria
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will involve a written test, held in a classroom, which will include:
· Closed-ended theory questions
· Open-ended theory questions
· Exercises with G*Power and jamovi
Please note that the last lesson will include a mock exam.
On your/my request, the written exam may be supplemented with an oral exam to modify (improve, confirm, or potentially worsen) the written grade.
· Closed-ended theory questions
· Open-ended theory questions
· Exercises with G*Power and jamovi
Please note that the last lesson will include a mock exam.
On your/my request, the written exam may be supplemented with an oral exam to modify (improve, confirm, or potentially worsen) the written grade.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
By appointment (contact me via e-mail)