Multivariate models of data analysis in health psychology

The subject Multivariate Data-Analysis Models Applied to Health Psychology (3 credits) belongs to the area of Methodology for the Behavioural Sciences. It is an elective subject within the Master’s in General Health Psychology, and it is taught over the second semester of the year.


OBJECTIVES

After attending this subject, the student should:

• Know how to apply the acquired knowledge of multivariate models to problem solving in the diverse fields of Health and Clinical Psychology
• Know how to communicate the conclusions on the results derived from the application of the different techniques of data analysis.
• Be able to gain in-depth knowledge about other models on relations between variables which are extensions or variations of the ones which have been dealt with in the subject.
• Identify those aspects which are most relevant in Clinical and Health Psychology research for their posterior analysis.
• Know how to select and apply the assessment techniques and tools which are more convenient for a Clinical and Health Psychology research context for their posterior analysis.
• Know how to analyse and interpret the results derived from the application of a specific assessment technique or model in Clinical and Health Psychology research.
• Be able to write a clear and precise report on the aspects related to the research method and derived results.
• Know how to critically interpret the results of a research according to the data-analytical methods and techniques used.

EXPOSITIVE CLASSES PROGRAM

1. How to tackle the study with multiple variables? Statistical basic models: Multiple regression analysis and exploratory factor analysis.
2. Measurement and relationships between variables in Health Psychology.
3. Appropriate use of measurement instruments.
4. Precision and validity evidences. Selection of relevant predictors.
5. Other models: Mediation and moderation analysis.


INTERACTIVE CLASSES PROGRAM

1. Discussion of studies published in Health Psychology.
2. Data analysis with SPSS.

BASIC BIBLIOGRAPHY
*Harlow, L. L. (2023). The essence of multivariate thinking: Basic themes and methods (3rd ed.). Routledge.

*Hayes, A. F. (2022). Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis: A regression-based approach (3rd ed.). The Guilford Press.

*Martínez-Arias, M. R., Hernández-Lloreda, M. J., & Hernández-Lloreda, M. V. (2006). Psicometría. Alianza. 2014 Electronic resource accessible via PRELO.

* Pardo, A., & San Martín, R. (2011). Análisis de datos en ciencias sociales y de la salud II. Síntesis. Electronic resource accessible via PRELO.


COMPLEMENTARY BIBLIOGRAPHY
*Abad, F. J., Olea, J., Ponsoda, V., & García, C. (2011). Medición en ciencias sociales y de la salud. Síntesis.

*American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, & National Council on Measurement in Education (2014). Standards for educational and psychological testing. American Educational Research Association.

*Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 1173-1182. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.51.6.1173

*Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos (2015). Directrices internacionales para el uso de los tests. http://www.cop.es/index.php?page=directrices-internacionales

*Hayes, A. F., & Rockwood, N. J. (2017). Regression-based statistical mediation and moderation analysis in clinical research: Observations, recommendations, and implementation. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 98, 39-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2016.11.00

*Muñiz, J., & Fernández-Hermida, J. R. (2010). La opinión de los psicólogos españoles sobre el uso de los tests. Papeles del Psicólogo, 31(1), 108-121.

*Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2019). Using multivariate statistics (7th ed.). Allyn and Bacon.

BASIC AND GENERAL
GC11 - Conform to the regulations in force in the Spanish health sector, showing ethical and professional commitment with the values of equal opportunities, respect for the diversity, and pacific resolution of conflicts.
BC7 - Are able to apply previously acquired knowledge and capability of problem solving to new or less known contexts. Those new situations may belong to broaden (or multidisciplinary) frames related to their areas of study.
BC9 - Know how to communicate the conclusions and knowledge and underlying reasons that support them, to specialised and non-specialised public in a clear and unambiguous way.
BC10 - Have the learning abilities which allow them to continue studying in a self-directed and autonomous way.


TRANSVERSAL
TC1 - To know how to use communication and information technologies in professional performance.
TC2 - To know how to use standardised international sources of bibliographic and digital scientific documentation.
TC3 - To critically analyse and use health information sources.
TC4 - To formulate a working hypothesis in research, and to gather and critically assess the information for problem solving through scientific method.
TC6 - To know how to communicate and communicate with other professionals, master the skills needed to work in a team and for the multidisciplinary work.


SPECIFIC
SC3 (Specific Competence 3) - To know how to select and apply the assessment techniques and tools which are more convenient for each case according to its characteristics and context.
SC4 - To know how to analyse and interpret the results of a psychological assessment.
SC10 - To be able to write psychological reports adequate to recipients.
SC16 - To collaborate in the design and development of research projects in the field of General Health Psychology.

EXPOSITIVE CLASSES will be devoted to present the different units of the programme. They will be 12 hours distributed over the second quarter. Each weekly session will be two hours long.

INTERACTIVE CLASSES will be designed to complete the contents of the expositive classes through discussion of studies published in Health Psychology. Statistical analyses will be performed with SPSS and with complementary software. They will be 12 hours distributed across the second quarter in weekly sessions of two hours.

Expositive and interactive classes will switch along the 12 weeks of the quarter, and will be held at the Data Process Laboratory. For a better development of these classes, students will also be provided with support material via the University Virtual Campus.

INDIVIDUAL WORK. Apart from attendance to the previously mentioned activities, students should dedicate some time to read complementary material, two write a report, and to study the contents developed during the course.
It is mandatory that the students hold the theoretical knowledge necessary to the adequate gain of benefit from interactive sessions.

ATTENDANCE TO ACTIVITIES is essential to reach the goals of the subject. Attendance to all sessions will be registered. Attendance will contribute to the final grade as specified under the appropriate programme heading.

TUTORIALS. All students may additionally consult any doubt about the contents and development of the subject in the usual tutorials timetable. The tutorials schedule for each of the professors in charge of the subject will be reported at the beginning of the course.

Assessment of the learning and acquired competence will involve several elements, whose partial weight in the final grade is the following:

(1) A maximum of 4 points in the final grade will come from the confection of a report that the student should hand in at the end of the first part of the subject. The maximum score of 4 points will only apply to those students with a minimum of 80% attendance to classes.

(2) A maximum of 6 points in the final grade will come from the second test which will be the continuation of the first test in terms of theoretical and practical content and will be carried out in the final part of the subject.

The subject consists of 3 credits, which correspond to an estimated amount of 75 hours of student’s work, distributed in the following way:

Attendance to activities: 24 hours, 12 in expositive sessions, and 12 in interactive sessions.

Autonomous work: 51 hours. This work will be devoted to study (25 hours), to prepare practical sessions (15 hours) and to write the report (11 hours).

In order to guarantee the desired achievement in this subject, it is recommended:

(1) Sustained dedication: development of planned activities, reading course materials, and study of contents.

(2) Attendance to tutorials to solve doubts and follow up of the learning process.

(3) Master in English reading and comprehension.


All students may consult any doubt about the subject in the usual tutorials timetable. The tutorials schedule for each of the professors in charge of the subject will be reported at the beginning of the course, it will be displayed on the Virtual Campus and in their respective offices. The institutional addresses for email inquiries are as follows:
elena.andrade@usc.es
msoledad.rodriguez@usc.es