Department of Psychology - Faculty

Daniel J. Denis, Ph.D
Associate Professor of Quantitative Psychology
University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59812

Data & Decision Lab
http://psychweb.psy.umt.edu/denis/datadecision/front/index.html

Office Phone: (406) 243-4539
Fax: (406) 243-6366
Email: daniel.denis@umontana.edu

B.A. (1997). Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada.   
M.A. (1999). York University, Toronto, Canada.
Ph.D. (2004). York University, Toronto, Canada.



Current Course Offerings:

Psyc. 220: Psychological Statistics (UGRAD)

Psyc. 296: Independent Study "Teaching Statistics" (UGRAD)

Psyc. 296: Independent Study "Bayesian Decision Models" (UGRAD)

Psyc. 596: Independent Study "Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling" (GRAD)

Psyc. 520: Advanced Psychological Statistics (Stat I) (GRAD)

Psyc. 521: Advanced Psychological Statistics (Stat II) (GRAD)

Psyc. 522: Multivariate Statistics (GRAD)

Psyc. 629: The Bayesian Statistics of Decision Modeling and Risk Analysis (GRAD)

Psyc. 600: Practicum in Statistical Consulting (GRAD)


Academic & Professional Interests

My academic interests include the teaching of statistics and mathematical concepts through a combination of analytical, practical and historical analyses.

Professionally, I specialize in quantitative/decision modeling, statistics and data analysis more generally. My scope of practice is in psychology, health sciences, law, and business. I have recently served as consultant for the United States District Court for the state of Montana in conjunction with the law firm of Kirkland & Ellis, LLP, International, and have also consulted for Donald E. Vinson of Vinson & Company LLC, Jury & Trial Consultants, New York/Los Angeles and Yale University School of Medicine.

Other consulting clients have included Rehabilitation Research, Evaluation, and Education Services (Toronto), Information Studies, University of Toronto, Counseling Foundation of Canada (Toronto), Rothbart Pain Management Clinic (Toronto), Rural Institute, University of Montana.

In the Autumn of 2009, I founded the Data & Decision Lab in the Department of Psychology at the University of Montana. The Lab is an ever-expanding resource on aspects of quantitative/decision modeling, statistics and data analysis. It consists of a wide-ranging series of notes, tutorials, and instructional guides on univariate, multivariate and decision-analytic statistical procedures. It also consists of an ever-expanding series of topics exploring the fine line where data meets decision, and how individuals and organizations use or misuse empirical evidence when making decisions.

I also have an interest in providing the University of Montana community with statistical tutoring services for the social sciences.

My teaching repetoire includes the following topics:

Probability, independence, visual display of quantitative information and graphs, binomial distributions, central tendency, variability, sampling distributions, estimation, normal distribution, independent samples t-tests, pairwise t-tests, poisson distribution and poisson regression, null hypothesis-testing, significance-testing, statistical inference, experimental design and planning, statistical power and sample size estimation, general linear models, generalized linear models (e.g., logistic regression), analysis of variance (ANOVA), factorial analysis of variance, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), fixed effects ANOVA, Bonferroni corrections, significance levels, effect size, Cohen's d, random effects ANOVA, mixed models ANOVA, repeated measures analysis of variance, multiple comparisons, linear contrasts, correlation, biserial correlation, point-biserial correlation, simple linear least-squares regression, non-linear regression, multiple regression, Hotelling's T, matrix algebra for multivariate statistics, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), categorical data analysis, chi-square, discriminant function analysis, binary logistic regression, principal components analysis (PCA), factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling, decision analysis, general Bayesian methodology, psychometric reliability, validity, standardization, item analysis, data base management, meta-analysis, survey sampling, survey analysis, SPSS, AMOS, R.


PUBLICATIONS

Denis, D. (in press). Toward a Bayesian Decision-Theoretic Approach to Hypothesis-Testing in Psychology. Journal of Non-significant Results in Education. 

Nelson, J. M., Lindstrom, J., Lindstrom, W., & Denis, D. (accepted pending revision). The structure of phonological processing and its relationship to basic reading. Journal of School Psychology.

Denis, D., Santa, A., & Burfeind, C. (2008). Alternative Hypotheses. Entry in Salkind, N. Encyclopedia of Research Design (in press). Sage Publications.

Seekins, T., Bridges, S., Santa, A., Denis, D., & Hartsell, A. (2007). Faith based organizations: A potential partner in rural transportation. Journal of Public Transportation, 11, 109-125.

Denis, D., & Docherty, K. (2007). Late nineteenth century Britain: A social, political, and methodological context for the rise of multivariate statistics. Journale Electronique d’Histoire des Probabilités et de la Statistique, 3. http://www.jehps.net/Decembre2007/Denis.pdf

Denis, D. (2007). Study guide for Kirk, R. E., (2007). Statistics: An introduction. Thomson/Wadsworth: Belmont, CA.
http://psychweb.psy.umt.edu/denis/datadecision/study_guides/dd_kirk_study_guide_aug_2009.pdf

Denis, D., & Legerski, J. (2006). Causal Modeling and the Origins of Path Analysis. Theory & Science, 7. http://theoryandscience.icaap.org/content/vol7.1/denis.html

Friendly, M., & Denis, D. (2005). The early origins and development of the scatterplot. Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences, 41, 103-130.

Denis, D. (2004). The Modern Hypothesis Testing Hybrid: R. A. Fisher’s Fading Influence. With Discussion by Michel Armatte, Bernard Bru, Michael Friendly, Jeff Gill, Ernest Kwan, Bruno Lecoutre, Marie-Paul Lecoutre, Jacques Poitevineau and Stephen Stigler. Journal de la Société Française de Statistique, 145, 5-26.

Denis, D. (2003). Alternatives to Null Hypothesis Significance Testing. Theory & Science, 4, 1.

Denis, D. (2001). Inferring the Alternative Hypothesis: Risky Business. Theory & Science, 2, 1.

Denis, D. (2001). The Origins of Correlation and Regression: Francis Galton or Auguste Bravais and the Error Theorists? History and Philosophy of Psychology Bulletin, 13, 36-44.

Friendly, M., & Denis, D. (2001). The Roots and Branches of Modern Statistical Graphics. Journal de la Société Française de Statistique, 141, 51-60.

MANUSCRIPTS UNDER REVISION/PREPARATION

Denis, D., & Harwood, E. A. Origins of Multiple Regression: The Work of George Udny Yule.

Nelson, J. M., Denis, D., Canivez, G. L., & Hatt, C. V. Hierarchical confirmatory factor analysis of the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales using a learning disabled sample. Educational and Psychological Measurement.


REVIEWS, COMMENTARIES, AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Denis, D. (2009). Review of William Tucker's The Cattell Controversy: Race, Science, and Ideology. University of Illinois Press: Chicago. Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences, 45, 4.

Denis, D. (2003). Review of David Salsburg's The Lady Tasting Tea: How Statistics Revolutionized the 20th Century. Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences, 39, 322.

Denis, D. (2003). Review of Alain Desrosières's The Politics of Large Numbers: A History of Statistical Reasoning. Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences, 39, 323.

Denis, D. (1999). Comment on null hypothesis significance testing. APA Monitor, Vol. 30.
 

WORLD WIDE WEB SITES AND DOCUMENTS

Denis, D. (2009). Data & Decision Lab.
http://psychweb.psy.umt.edu/denis/datadecision/front/index.html

Friendly, M., & Denis, D. (2003). Milestones in the History of Thematic Cartography, Statistical Graphics, and Data Visualization: An Illustrated Chronology of Innovations. http://euclid.psych.yorku.ca/SCS/Gallery/milestone/
 

PEER-REVIEWED CONFERENCE SYMPOSIA, PAPERS & POSTERS

Nelson, J. M., Lindstrom, J., Lindstrom, W., & Denis, D. (2009). Factor structure of the Comprehensive Test of

Phonological Processing. Council for Exceptional Children, Seattle, WA.

Nelson, J. M., Denis, D., Canivez, G. L., & Hatt, C. V. (2008). Hierarchical confirmatory factor analysis of the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales using a learning disabled sample. Paper presented at the Regents’ Center for Learning Disorders Research Institute. Athens, GA.

Nelson, J. M., Canivez, G. L., Denis, D., & Hatt, C.V. (2008). Factor structure of the RIAS with students with learning disabilities. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Boston, MA.

Denis, D. (2005). David Bakan and significance testing: Setting the record straight. David Bakan Memorial Symposium, Invited Address, Annual Convention of the American Psychological Convention, Washington, D.C. U.S.A.

Denis, D. (2005). The general linear model: A brief history. Paper presented at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C. U.S.A.

Denis, D. (2003). History of Path Analysis and Causal Modeling. Paper presented at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, CANADA.

Denis, D. (2002). Numerical Versus Graphical Solutions and the Reemergence of Graphical Approaches to Data Analysis. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the American Psychological Association, Chicago, U.S.A.

Friendly, M. & Denis, D. (2002). Milestones in Data Visualization. Poster presented at the Joint Statistical Meetings, New York, U.S.A.

Harlow, L. & Denis, D. (2002). Engaging Others in Quantitative Psychology: Peer-Tutored Learning Communities in Quantitative Psychology: A Canadian Approach. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the American Psychological Association, Chicago, U.S.A.

Denis, D. (2000). The Origins of Correlation and Regression: Francis Galton or Auguste Bravais and the Error Theorists? Paper presented at the Annual Convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, Ottawa, CANADA.

Denis, D. (1999). An Historical Overview of NHST. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Canadian Psychological Association, Halifax, CANADA.

Denis, D. (1999). Is Today's NHST Attributable to R. A. Fisher? Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the American Psychological Association, Boston, U.S.A.
 

PROFESSIONAL ACADEMIC & TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Data & Decision Lab 2009
Department of Psychology, University of Montana

Experimental Program Coordinator 2009
Department of Psychology, University of Montana 

Incremental Advantage Instructor 2008-2009
Develop & teach courses to legal professionals and decision-makers in business, industry.

Director of Statistical Consulting Laboratory 2005–2009
University of Montana, Department of Psychology, Missoula, Montana, U.S.A.
Consult daily with faculty and graduate students in psychology and other departments regarding theses, dissertations, and related projects.

Assistant/Associate Professor of Quantitative/Statistical Psychology 2004-2009
University of Montana, Department of Psychology, Missoula, Montana, U.S.A.
http://psychweb.psy.umt.edu/www/faculty/denis.htm
Courses Taught: Advanced Psychological Statistics I, II (GRAD); Multivariate Statistics (GRAD); The Bayesian Statistics of Decision Modeling and Risk Analysis (GRAD); Practicum in Statistical Consulting (GRAD, Independent Study); Psychological Statistics (UGRAD); Teaching Statistics (UGRAD, Independent Study); Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling (UGRAD, Independent Study)

Course Director 2003-2004
Statistical Methods I and II
Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, CANADA

Statistical Consultant 2002-2003
Statistical Consulting Service, York University, Toronto, CANADA.
http://www.yorku.ca/isr/scs/

Statistics & Computer Advisor 2000-2003
Department of Psychology, Hebb Computing Facility, York University, Toronto, CANADA.
 

PROFESSIONAL STATISTICAL & RESEARCH CONSULTING

Statistical Consultant 2008-2009
Dr. Blanka Rogina, Department of Genetics & Developmental Biology
School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center
Statistical Methods Used: Logistic Regression, categorical data analyses

The Effects of Age on Radiation Resistance and Oxidative Stress in Adult Drosophila melanogaster

dSir2 mediates the increased spontaneous physical activity in flies on calorie restriction


Statistical Consultant 2007-2008
Joy S. Kaufman, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Director of Program and Service System Evaluation
Yale University School of Medicine
Statistical Methods Used: Multilevel Longitudinal Modeling, Generalized Linear Models, Linear Models.
Predictors of Child Adjustment (longitudinal), Predictors of Recidivism in Rhode Island Youth

Statistical Consultant 2007-2008
Cindy A. Crusto, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry Division of Prevention and Community Research, Yale University School of Medicine
Statistical Methods Used: Multilevel Longitudinal Modeling, Generalized Linear Models, Linear Models.
Impact of Young Children’s Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence

Statistical Consultant 2007-2008
Masilamani Elangovan, Department of Biology, University of Virginia
Statistical Methods Used: Principal Components Analysis

Statistical Consultant 2007
Phu Phan, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work
California State University East Bay
Statistical Methods Used: Logistic Regression
Gender Differences in Physical Health Status Among Older Vietnamese Americans

Statistical Consultant 2007-2009
Dr. Jason Nelson, School Psychology, University of Montana, Missoula, U.S.A./ University of Georgia
Statistical Methods Used: Confirmatory Factor Analyses of IQ and Achievement Tests

Statistical Consultant 2007
Dr. Kathy Humphries, Rural Institute, University of Montana, Missoula, U.S.A.
http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu/
Food on Film Nutrition NIH Grant Submission

Statistical Consultant 2007
Dr. Christine Fiore, Clinical Psychology, University of Montana.
Project Pace http://pace.dbs.umt.edu/Recruiting/default.htm

Statistical Consultant 2005-2007
Dr. Tom Seekins, Director of Rural Institute, University of Montana, Missoula, U.S.A.
http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu/

Expert Statistical Consultant 2005-2006
United States District Court, District of Montana, Missoula Division
Statistical Methods Used: Survey Analysis and Questionnaire Evaluation

Consultant 2005-2007
Kirkland & Ellis, LLP, International law firm
http://www.kirkland.com/

Statistical & Methodological Consultant 2005-2007
Vinson & Company LLC, Jury & Trial Consultant New York/Los Angeles
http://www.vinsoncompany.com/

Research/Statistical Consultant 2005
Florence Crittenton Home, Helena, Montana

Statistical Consultant 2003
Dr. George D. Gale, M.B.B.S.
Rothbart Pain Management Clinic, Toronto, CANADA.
www.rothbart.com

Consultant in Statistics & Methodology 2000-2003
Dr. Douglas Salmon, Jr. & Dr. Marek Celinski
Rehabilitation Research, Evaluation, and Education Services, Toronto, CANADA.

Statistical Consultant 2001-2003
Dr. Juris Dilevko
Information Studies, University of Toronto, Toronto, CANADA.

Research Consultant 1999
Counseling Foundation of Canada, Toronto, CANADA.

Statistical Resources and Websites

Data & Decision Lab
http://psychweb.psy.umt.edu/denis/datadecision/front/index.html

Friendly, M., & Denis, D. (2003). Milestones in the History of Thematic Cartography, Statistical Graphics, and Data Visualization: An Illustrated Chronology of Innovations.
http://euclid.psych.yorku.ca/SCS/Gallery/milestone/

Colloquia, Department of Psychology, University of Montana.

 
I. Professional Associations, Societies & Organizations


II. General Statistics & Quantitative Learning


III. Scholarly Journals & Archives


IV. Statistical Software


V. University Statistical & Quantitative Consulting Services


VI. Structural Equation Modeling

DATA & DECISION, Copyright 2009 Daniel J. Denis, Ph.D. Department of Psychology, University of Montana. Contact Daniel J. Denis by e-mail daniel.denis@umontana.edu.