The course aims to extend students knowledge of, and equip them with the ability to conduct, advanced statistical techniques. The course will build on knowledge gained in earlier undergraduate research methods courses. Specifically, the course will focus on analysis of variance, multiple regression, mediation and moderation, effect sizes, confidence intervals, and some non-parametric techniques (e.g., chi-square tests). It will also provide insight into the designs associated with, and the logic that underpins, these analyses. Practical skills will be developed by having students conduct data-analysis techniques using a statistics package.

This course is designed to enable students to gain an understanding of the main areas in cognitive psychology and biological psychology, and to become acquainted with the research methods employed in both fields. The course will cover a range of topics in experimental cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and biological psychology, including the biological foundations of behaviour (functional neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and psychopharmacology), attention and perception, memory, language, and thinking. Course content is delivered through a combination of online resources, theoretical text readings, and laboratory (lab) classes.

This course seeks to enhance the students understanding of the process and scientific basis of psychological research by reviewing the various methodological practices found in the discipline. These vary from the traditional experimental methodologies, in their various formats, to newer practices, such as discourse and conversational analysis. Students will also review the place and purpose of a variety of statistical procedures as they relate to research methodology and enhance their ability to select, conduct and interpret statistical procedures in relation to the aims of their research.