Overview

This unit teaches students to identify and apply the multivariate statistical techniques most commonly used in social and health research, to understand the assumptions underlying their use, and appreciate the strengths and limitations of these methods. Knowledge of these methods is particularly helpful for gaining employment areas with a research focus.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Study Period 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
24-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
02-May-2025
Results released date
24-June-2025
Study Period 3
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
01-September-2025
30-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
14-September-2025
Census date
22-September-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
17-October-2025
Results released date
23-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Summarise the objectives of a study and prepare data files for analysis
  • Test the assumptions underlying a statistical analysis and state the limitations of a study
  • Develop statistical models to describe associations between variables
  • Identify the most appropriate analysis for the research question and execute the analysis using an appropriate software package
  • Interpret and report the results of statistical analyses

Teaching methods

Hawthorn Online

Activity Type Activity Total Hours Number of Weeks Hours Per Week Venue Type and Activity Detail
Live Online Class 12 12 weeks 1 collaborate class
Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning 138 12 weeks 11.5 Discussion boards, Watching Lecture recording, Readings, Quizzes & assessments, Independent study, Assignment preparation, Revision
Total Hours: 150 Total Hours (per week): 12.5  

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssignmentIndividual 50% 1,2,3,4,5 
ExaminationIndividual 40% 2,4,5 
Online QuizzesIndividual 10% 2,4,5 

Content

  • Multiple linear regression: screening, testing assumptions, regression strategies: standard, hierarchical and step-wise regression.
  • mediation, moderation and PROCESS macro.
  • General Linear Models: Interaction, Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA).
  • Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA): Between subjects, within subjects and mixed-design MANOVA.
  • Factor analysis: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis.
  • Introduction to path analysis: Structural Equation Modelling

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.