GRK 2277:  Statistical Modeling in Psychology (SMiP)

• Subject Area: Psychology
• Term: since 2017
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 310365261

The Research Training Group “Statistical Modeling in Psychology” (SMiP) aims to overcome the growing gap between statistical innovations and their use in psychological research. Through novel applications of complex statistical models and techniques in different content areas of psychology, and through the development of new methods of statistical modeling, parameter estimation and inference, the Research Training Group intends to raise the quality of research in psychology and to foster the transfer of statistical modeling approaches across subdisciplines of psychology. The SMiP research program covers a series of projects that combine substantive research questions from key areas of psychological inquiry with advanced techniques of statistical modeling. Substantive research questions include tests of new predictions in experimental research on cognition and motivation, in longitudinal research on affect dynamics and personality development, and in research on individual differences in cognitive abilities and personality traits. The research goals are pursued with state-of-the-art and newly developed statistical models and techniques that allow researchers to measure latent psychological states or processes, to test novel predictions, and to compare competing theoretical accounts in a coherent analytical framework. The individual projects are mutually related through overarching thematic research clusters that focus on modeling heterogeneity of psychological effects and processes, and on integrative and comprehensive tests of psychological hypotheses. The research program is interlinked with a qualification program that equips a new generation of researchers with extended theoretical knowledge and practical skills in using and developing advanced statistical methods for a professional career in academia or for a research-related position outside academia. The structured qualification program consists of core courses and elective courses, coaching units, and a joint supervision scheme. The SMiP research and qualification agenda is integrated in an international network, including regular courses given by international experts, visits of SMiP doctoral researchers at international research labs, and joint workshops and summer schools in collaboration with international doctoral training programs.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Universität Mannheim
• Co-Applicant Institution: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg; Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen; Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau, since 1/2023; Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Thorsten Meiser, since 10/2018
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Arndt Bröder; Professor Dr. Edgar Erdfelder; Professor Benjamin E. Hilbig, Ph.D.; Professorin Dr. Mandy Hütter; Professorin Dr. Andrea Kiesel; Professor Dr. Karl Christoph Klauer; Professorin Dr. Beatrice G. Kuhlmann; Professorin Dr. Veronika Lerche, since 8/2021; Professorin Dr. Tanja Lischetzke; Professorin Dr. Sabine Sonnentag; Professor Dr. Rolf Ulrich; Professor Dr. Andreas Voß; Professorin Dr. Eunike Wetzel