The EPP symposium on Bayesian statistics aims to provide researchers with the theoretical and practical tools to start utilizing Bayesian statistics in their own analyses. 

Bayesian statistics diverge from the typically used approach to hypothesis testing used in psychological science, which is known as ‘Null Hypothesis Significance Testing’ (NHST). In NHST you first determine the required sample size, collect data, and then test whether you have sufficient evidence to reject the null hypothesis. The Bayesian framework is not based on p-values or dichotomous decisions (i.e., the result is significant or not), but instead can indicate the relative support for different hypotheses (including suggesting that the null hypothesis best explains the data, rather than just indicating that it cannot be rejected). It is also possible to conduct continued assessments of evidence in favour of different hypotheses, even as data continues to be collected.

The goal of the workshop is two-fold and will focus on theory (what is Bayesian Statistics, how to interpret it, etc.) and practice (hands-on experience with the program JASP so you can perform Bayesian analyses in the future). JASP is a free, open-source, OS-independent package developed by the Psychological Methods department from the University of Amsterdam. The JASP program is similar to SPSS in the sense that it has a very user friendly interface, which makes it easy to use (for us, but also for students); plus JASP can also perform a number of standard NHST analyses.

Program