Teaching Quantitative Psychology

Abstract

This chapter strives to enliven quantitative psychology teaching and encourage statistical literacy. Summaries of quantitative training, at the undergraduate and graduate levels, offer guidelines to improve instruction and call for greater emphasis on measurement, research, and quantitative methods. Strategies for effectively teaching quantitative psychology are suggested, including active, hands-on learning for engaging students, e-learning and Web-based instruction, mentoring and role models, and encouraging conceptual understanding. Quantitative students are encouraged to focus on the nature of research questions, similarities and differences in statistical methods, and interpreting findings with statistical tests, effect sizes, and confidence intervals. Future directions are offered regarding model building, quantitative learning beyond the classroom through workshops, membership in quantitative societies, and reading the quantitative literature. The reach of quantitative training should be widened to more readily include those from disadvantaged, early career, and under-represented groups to further strengthen the field and enlighten greater numbers about the wonders of quantitative psychology.