Quantitative Training Area
The goal of the graduate program in Quantitative Psychology is to produce researchers able to develop, evaluate, and apply advanced methodological techniques to psychological research questions. The program offers considerable diversity in faculty research and coursework offerings; Our substantive interests span clinical, social, health, developmental, and cognitive psychology. Quantitative areas of expertise cover a range of linear and non-linear approaches to modeling, including categorical techniques, structural equation modeling, time series, state-space models, and issues in large scale data management.
Coursework
Students in the Quantitative program complete coursework in mathematical statistics, experimental design, and measurement, as well as courses in quantitative methods both within the Department of Psychological Sciences as well as other departments on campus. Program requirements are flexible, and students with particular interests a substantive area of Psychology are encouraged to take advanced courses in that area. Quantitative course offerings focus both on classic analytic methods as well as advanced techniques such as structural equation modeling, multilevel modeling, and multivariate models. Strong ties exist between the Department of Psychological Sciences and the Statistics Department, and students may opt to complete a Masters Degree in Statistics as they progress through the Quantitative program. In addition, students trained in the program will have the opportunity to gain experience as statistical consultants through specific coursework in this area.
Research
The University of Missouri-Columbia is a Research I institution, and faculty are strongly committed to the research mission. Students in the quantitative program work with faculty on research projects throughout their graduate tenure. Research laboratories are well equipped with computational resources. Ongoing projects conducted by the faculty include research in meta-analytic and secondary analysis techniques, structural equation modeling, particularly as applied to longitudinal models of change and growth, multilevel modeling, and mathematical and statistical models of cognition and perception. Faculty research is often supported though federal grants and other extramural sources.
Minor in Psychological Statistics and Methods
The quantitative training area also administers the Minor in Psychological Statistics and Methods, a certification of training in the area of statistics and methods which has proven quite popular. Requirements for completion of the minor, as well as the relevant forms to use for applying for the minor are located at:
http://sites.google.com/site/minorpsychologicalstatistics/
Answers to frequently-asked questions appear here. Please direct any further questions concerning application to the Quantitative Psychology program or questions regarding the minor in Psychological Statistics to the training area director, Phil Wood (phillipkwood@gmail.com).
Quantitative Research Labs
| Lab | Director | Lab Location |
|---|---|---|
|
Medical Decision Research Lab (MDRL) We broadly seek to apply decision psychology and behavioral economics to inform practical problems in medical decision making. Recent work has focused on applications to Clinical Decision Support Systems and Patient Decision Aids.  Medical Decision Research Lab flyer |
Victoria Shaffer | 220 Noyes |
|
Perception and Cognition Lab We study human memory and information processing using statistical and mathematical modeling approaches (undergraduate research opportunities available). |
Jeff Rouder | 203 Psychology Building |