INTRODUCTION DATA HANDLING AND ANALYSIS

10 Mar

Written By Rebecca Sylvia

SPECIFICATION: DATA HANDLING AND ANALYSIS

Quantitative and Qualitative Data: the Distinction Between Qualitative and Quantitative Data Collection Techniques.
Primary and Secondary Data, including Meta-Analysis.
Descriptive Statistics: Measures of Central Tendency – Mean, Median, Mode; Calculation of Mean, Median and Mode; Measures of Dispersion; Range and Standard Deviation; Calculation of Range; Calculation of Percentages; Positive, Negative and Zero Correlations.
Presentation and Display of Quantitative Data: Graphs, Tables, Scattergrams, Bar Charts, Histograms.
Distributions: Normal and Skewed Distributions; Characteristics of normal and skewed distributions.
Analysis and Interpretation of Correlation, including Correlation Coefficients.
Levels of Measurement: Nominal, Ordinal and Interval.
Content Analysis and Coding. Thematic Analysis (see research methods).

INFERENTIAL TESTING

Students should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of inferential testing and be familiar with inferential tests.

Introduction to statistical testing, the sign test, when to use it, and how it is calculated.
Probability and significance: using statistical tables and critical values in interpreting significance; Type I and Type II errors.
Factors affecting the choice of statistical test, including level of measurement and experimental design. When to use the following tests: Spearman’s rho, Pearson’s r, Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney, related t-test, unrelated t-test and Chi-Squared test

Rebecca Sylvia

I am a Londoner with over 30 years of experience teaching psychology at A-Level, IB, and undergraduate levels. Throughout my career, I’ve taught in more than 40 establishments across the UK and internationally, including Spain, Lithuania, and Cyprus. My teaching has been consistently recognised for its high success rates, and I’ve also worked as a consultant in education, supporting institutions in delivering exceptional psychology programmes.

I’ve written various psychology materials and articles, focusing on making complex concepts accessible to students and educators. In addition to teaching, I’ve published peer-reviewed research in the field of eating disorders.

My career began after earning a degree in Psychology and a master’s in Cognitive Neuroscience. Over the years, I’ve combined my academic foundation with hands-on teaching and leadership roles, including serving as Head of Social Sciences.

Outside of my professional life, I have two children and enjoy a variety of interests, including skiing, hiking, playing backgammon, and podcasting. These pursuits keep me curious, active, and grounded—qualities I bring into my teaching and consultancy work. My personal and professional goals include inspiring curiosity about human behaviour, supporting educators, and helping students achieve their full potential.

https://psychstory.co.uk