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75837-01 - Seminar: Introduction to Factor Analysis (1 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Angela Leipold (angela.leipold@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This workshop will be held by Dr. Markus Steiner (FHNW). Factor analysis is a multivariate statistical method wherein we strive to uncover a structure or patterns in the associations between variables (e.g., items of a questionnaire) and represent them more parsimoniously with a smaller set of underlying latent variables, called factors. These factors are thought to constitute unobservable, internal attributes, that influence or cause the way observable, i.e., mani-fest behavior is expressed. For example, intelligence is thought to constitute such an attribute: If a person’s intelligence is high, this should allow them to response correctly to hard questions in intelligence tests and be fast at learning about complex new topics. Factor analysis is used to describe and test (hypothesized) structures and patterns in data. For in-stance, in personality psychology, we might look at data from a big five questionnaire and test whether we actually do find five distinct factors, as proposed by the theory; or in an instrument assessing ADHD, we can test whether we can identify distinct factors for the main symptoms and whether they match with the empirically distinguished subtypes; or, finally, in a questionnaire assessing risk preferences across different life domains, we can test whether we find a stronger clustering of items within vs. across domains. Factor analysis is also the basis for structural equation modelling, wherein we can run regressions (i.e., test directed associations) between latent constructs instead of running a regression based on manifest variables. In this workshop we cover the basics of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis including their application in R. Moreover, I provide a sneak peek into structural equation modelling. My goal is that after the workshop you will know which technique to employ in a given scenario; that you can take the first steps of implementing it in R; and that you know where to look for further resources and details to be able to successfully apply factor analysis in your research. To this end, I will include many examples and exercises alongside the theoretical introduction. |
| Comments | The workshop is offered by the Graduate School of Psychology. Maximum number of participants: 12. Selection criteria: 1. Currently a PhD candidate in psychology 2. First come - first served GSP rules for withdrawal, absence, or partial course attendance: If you cannot attend a workshop that you have signed up for, please cancel your course registration as soon as possible by sending an e-mail to angela.leipold@unibas.ch. This will allow other PhD students interested in the course to move up from the waiting list. The GSP strongly values fairness. After the university’s official registration period has ended, cancelled course will be assessed with NE. Course registrations can be cancelled until one week before the workshops begins. In the case of late cancellations, participants will not be considered for course registration in the next three months of the lecture periods and will be removed from the registration list of any course they have signed up during these three upcoming months of the lecture periods. If an urgent, unforeseeable, or inevitable event before or during the workshop prevents a participant from attending, a written and substantiated withdrawal request that includes appropriate documentation (e.g. a doctor’s note) must be submitted to angela.leipold@unibas.ch within two days of the workshop and without being prompted. The program director decides on the approval of the withdrawal request. ECTS-points are awarded only for 100% course attendance. |
| Admission requirements | Doktorat im Bereich Psychologie. Für Masterstudierende im Society&Choice/SWE Science Track: Anmeldung und erfolgreiche Aufnahme in den SWE/S&C Science Track. Siehe: https://psychologie.unibas.ch/de/studium/doktoratsstudium/doktoratsprogramme/society-and-choice/science-track/ |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Thursday | 14.00-18.00 | Missionsstrasse 64a, Seminarraum 00.011 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 05.06.2025 | 14.00-18.00 | Missionsstrasse 64a, Seminarraum 00.011 |
| Friday 06.06.2025 | 09.00-13.00 | Missionsstrasse 64a, Seminarraum 00.011 |
| Modules |
Doctorate Psychology: Recommendations (PhD subject: Psychology) Modul: Science Track Society and Choice (Master's Studies: Psychology) Module: Science Track in Social, Economic, and Decision Psychology (Master's Studies: Psychology (Start of studies before 01.08.2024)) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Preparation and follow-up of the contents of the workshop as well as active participation. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Psychology, studiendekanat-psychologie@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Faculty of Psychology |