Tilburg University has appointed Joris Mulder as a professor to a new chair in Bayesian statistics for social and behavioral science research. The chair will contribute to the development of innovative methods for handling complex data arising from rapidly evolving technologies, such as smartphones and digital learning environments.
Classical statistics is under pressure due to its limitations in integrating prior knowledge, summarizing uncertainty in successive data analyses, and dealing with complex data structures. Bayesian statistics addresses these issues, offering significant advantages for social science research.
Bayesian Statistics: the future of social and behavioral sciences
The chair will enable students and researchers, using advanced statistical software and innovative algorithms, to apply Bayesian methods to complex research areas. This could involve gaining new insights into the interaction of depression symptoms over time or understanding the social and cultural factors influencing the integration process of new employees in organizations.
Joris Mulder: "With the versatility of Bayesian statistics and the increasing availability of faster computers needed for Bayesian analyses, now is the time to further develop this methodology for widely used research designs in social and behavioral sciences. This will allow us to naturally combine information from various data sources and update statistical evidence for or against social theories in real-time during data collection."
Developing education and research
The new chair will develop Bayesian statistical methods that enable researchers to draw conclusions with appropriate certainty and gain new insights from complex data. In addition to theoretical knowledge, practical applications for social science issues will also be developed. The Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (TSB) already offers courses in Bayesian statistics, and the chair will further strengthen these initiatives by developing new educational programs.
Jeroen Vermunt, Head of the Department of Methodology and Statistics: "With this chair, Tilburg University aims to further promote the application of Bayesian statistics in social and behavioral science research. The new chair highlights the importance of statistical methods that not only enhance the reliability of scientific knowledge but also contribute to solving complex societal issues."
