Methodology and Statistics for the Behavioural, Biomedical and Social Sciences

The field of methodology and statistics is by its nature interdisciplinary, as it relates to all fields of behavioural, biomedical and social research. Social science methodology concentrates on central issues in research design and data collection, with the aim of improving the quality of empirical research. In addition, the complex theories and research designs currently used call for advanced analysis methods, which in turn require mastery of the statistical foundations of these methods, and training in their skilled use. Finally, there are strong interconnections between methodology and statistics. Modern social, biomedical and behavioural research uses highly advanced quantitative methods, while, at the same time, no amount of statistics can compensate for fundamental flaws in a study's design or data collection.

Accreditation: NVAO

Erasmus Mundus program: This is an Erasmus Mundus program.

Admission requirements

This research master programme has a statistical entrance requirement, which entails the following: (i) a basic course in introductory statistics including topics such: univariate descriptive statistics, correlation, univariate regression, one-way analysis of variance (both descriptive and inferential) and a basic course in the methodology of behavioural and/or social science research (experimentation, surveys, observational studies); (ii) knowledge of multivariate analysis tools such as factor analysis, reliability, multiple regression, analysis of variance, dummy variables; (iii) hands on experience with the tools just mentioned (for example, experience with SPSS). In total, it is expected that students have followed courses for about 20 ECTS. If either (ii) or (iii) is (partly) lacking, this can be remedied in a course of multivariate analysis offered by the Summer School of Utrecht University.

Other requirements

1. vooropleiding (ISPAC: vereiste vooropleiding) This programme is open for students with a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Science, Social and Behavioural Sciences (including Political Science), Econometrics and /or (Applied) Mathematics that equals the Dutch equivalent.
2. minimum kennis (ISPAC: overige vereisten) This research master programme has a statistical entrance requirement, which entails the following: (i) a basic course in introductory statistics including topics such: univariate descriptive statistics, correlation, univariate regression, one-way analysis of variance (both descriptive and inferential) and a basic course in the methodology of behavioural and/or social science research (experimentation, surveys, observational studies); (ii) knowledge of multivariate analysis tools such as factor analysis, reliability, multiple regression, analysis of variance, dummy variables; (iii) hands on experience with the tools just mentioned (for example, experience with SPSS). In total, it is expected that students have followed courses for about 20 ECTS. If either (ii) or (iii) is (partly) lacking, this can be remedied in a course of multivariate analysis offered by the Summer School of Utrecht University.
3. minimum kennis (ISPAC: overige vereisten) This research master programme has a statistical entrance requirement, which entails the following: (i) a basic course in introductory statistics including topics such: univariate descriptive statistics, correlation, univariate regression, one-way analysis of variance (both descriptive and inferential) and a basic course in the methodology of behavioural and/or social science research (experimentation, surveys, observational studies); (ii) knowledge of multivariate analysis tools such as factor analysis, reliability, multiple regression, analysis of variance, dummy variables; (iii) hands on experience with the tools just mentioned (for example, experience with SPSS). In total, it is expected that students have followed courses for about 20 ECTS. If either (ii) or (iii) is (partly) lacking, this can be remedied in a course of multivariate analysis offered by the Summer School of Utrecht University.
4. gemiddeld cijfer Students with a GPA of 3.4 (or the Dutch equivalent of 7.5) or higher are eligable. Students with a GPA between 3.0 and 3.4 (Dutch equivalent: 7 or better) may be eligible and can compensate by other capacities they possess, according to the programme's Admissions Committee.
5. gemiddeld cijfer Students with a GPA of 3.4 (or the Dutch equivalent of 7.5) or higher are eligable. Students with a GPA between 3.0 and 3.4 (Dutch equivalent: 7 or better) may be eligible and can compensate by other capacities they possess, according to the programme's Admissions Committee.
6. schriftelijk verzoek We ask for a motivational letter including curriculum vitae.
7. schriftelijk verzoek We ask for a motivational letter including curriculum vitae.