PhD on Motives for Statistical Reporting Practices

Job description

Statistical results of empirical studies in the behavioral and social sciences have repeatedly been shown to be reported in a suboptimal way. This PhD project seeks to understand why applied researchers interpret and report p-values, confidence and credible intervals, and Bayes factors the way they do, and what its consequences can be. The proposed methodology features both quantitative and qualitative elements.

Tasks of the PhD candidate

• Conduct research that is in line with the objectives and requirements of the project and that results in a dissertation.
• Organize and execute the data collection and analyses for the different studies.
• Publish the results of the research in international scientific journals.
• Present the research findings to fellow scientists and collaborate with Them.
• Provide a limited number of educational activities at the Psychology department.

Organisation

The University of Groningen is a research university with a global outlook, deeply rooted in Groningen, City of Talent. Quality has had top priority for four hundred years, and with success: the University is currently in or around the top 100 on several influential ranking lists.

The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences excels in teaching and research in the fields of human behaviour, thinking, learning, and how people live together. We work on societal issues and problems that people experience in daily life. Central to this is individual and societal resilience and how to increase this. To this end, we focus on the topics of migration, the environment and climate, health, upbringing and education, the protection of vulnerable minorities, and sustainable partnerships. The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences employs over 650 staff members.

The PhD position will be in the department of Psychometrics and Statistics. The supervisory team consists of Prof. D. van Ravenzwaaij, Prof. H.A.L. Kiers and Dr R. Hoekstra.

Qualifications

For this position you are expected to

• Have a (Research) Master’s degree in the Social Sciences (or a related discipline).
• Have an affinity with statistical procedures for data analysis.
• Have proficiency with statistical methods.
• Have a good academic track record.
• Be interested in writing international publications and a dissertation.
• Have good academic English writing skills.
• Have good social and communication skills and are willing to work with other team members.
• Be enthusiastic about translating scientific insights into practical guidelines and advice.
• Have good organizational skills and the motivation to organize and realize data collection.
• Have demonstrable competences as conceptual capacity, presenting, planning and organizing and monitoring.

Organisation

Conditions of employment

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities

• A salary of € 2,770 gross per month in the first year of the appointment, rising to € 3,539 gross per month in the fourth year for a full-time position. The position is classified in accordance with the University Job Classification (UFO) system; the UFO profile is PhD candidate.
• A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income an 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance.
• Attractive secondary terms of employment.
• A temporary employment of 1.0 FTE for a period of four years. You will first be employed for a period of one year. After a positive result and development interview, the contract will be extended for the remaining period of three years.

Intended starting date: flexible, but between 1 September 2024 and 1 December 2024