Course Syllabus
PSY 500.110 Behavioral Statistics
MHCK 500.110 Behavioral Statistics
Texas A & M University —Central Texas
Department of Psychology & Counseling
Spring 2016
Course: Behavioral StatisticsProfessor: Richard K. Yeager, PhD
Class Times: T/R5:30 – 6:45p.m.Office: 318H, Warrior Hall
Warrior Hall 316
Office Hours:E-mail:
M 2:00 – 5:30 p.m.
T 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
W 2:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Th 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
1.0 Catalogue Course Description:
Behavioral Statistics. Review of descriptive statistics with emphasis on inferential statistics. Includes correlation, one-way and two-way analysis of variance, regression analysis and experimental design. Use of computer software with emphasis on experience with SPSS. Prerequisite: Undergraduate Statistics recommended.
2.0 Course Objectives:
Course objectives and content will be covered through assigned text readings, lectures, and homework assignments. Students will be responsible for both lecture-based material including activities and demonstrations as well as textbook-based material for examinations.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Gain factual knowledge (terminology, classifications, methods, trends). Students will calculate measures of central tendency and variability, z scores, correlation coefficients, regression equations, analyses of variance and chi-square both by hand and using standard office software and SPSS.
- Learn, and apply, fundamental principles, generalizations, and/or theories. Students will read, discuss, and write about theoretical concepts underlying descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency distributions and graphing, empirical distributions, theoretical distributions (including the normal distribution), sampling distributions, and the logic underlying confidence intervals and hypothesis testing.
- Develop specific skills, competencies, and points of view needed by professionals in the field most closely related to this course. Upon satisfactory completion of this course, students will have content-specific knowledge to identify the variables under study, choose the appropriate descriptive methods, identify the independent and dependent variables, locate the number of samples under study, locate the number of scores per participant, select the appropriate inferential or correlational tests, and draw statistical conclusions from the numerical results of their analyses. Examples and problems will be applied to research in psychology.
- Learn how to find and use resources for answering questions or solving problems. Given a research question and a set of data, the student who successfully completes this course will be able to apply the appropriate statistical techniques to answer the research question.
3.0 Required Texts:
Gravetter, F. J., & Wallnau, L. B. (2011). Statistics for the behavioral sciences (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. (ISBN: 978-1-111-83099-1)
3.1 Recommended Text, Software, and Equipment:
Scientific calculator capable of performing statistical functions
Data storage device (i.e., computer disks, flash drive, personal LAN space, etc.) to save SPSS/Excel work conducted during class.
A student of this institution is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from a university-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
4.0 Course Requirements:
Course Requirements:
4.1 Attendance:25 total Points
Due to the nature of the material covered in this course, regular class attendance is expected and will be taken on a regular schedule throughout the semester. Students will lose one point for each un-excused absence up to 25 points. Students who have a University approved absence will need to provide appropriate documentation to excuse the absence. Students who are absent from class are responsible for that day’s material, as outlined in the syllabus.
4.2 Exams: 400 Total Points
Four (4)exams will be given at regular intervals during the semester (see course calendar for dates). These will be mixed format examsand cover relevant content from the assigned chapters listed in the syllabus. Questions will be drawn from textbook readings, lecture material, and class activities. All exams must be completed independently. These exams are located in Blackboard(Assessments) and are due not later than the date/time indicated on the syllabus/assignment link in Blackboard.Once accessed, students will have three (3) hours to complete each the exam. Additionally, exam items may be randomly presented to the students.
If you want to challenge a test item, you will do so in writing no later than 1-day after the test has been closed. You are required to provide me with the question number (and numbers that appears in your test window), your argument as to why the exam question is incorrect, and any supporting information from the text or your notes supporting your argument. Your misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the item is not justification to present a challenge to the exam. Students are on the honor system for these exams and any violation will result in the student receiving a zero (0) for the exam and the possibility of further sanctions according to university policy (see Academic Honesty & Integrity, below). Also, note that I can determine from the responses entered into Blackboard when students are being dishonest on their exams.
4.3Make-up Exams:
All exams will be posted in the Blackboard link. Make-up examswill be granted only for University approved absences and written documentation for the missed test is required. Examsmay be reset only if there is a documented technical failure of the Blackboard online system. Make-up examsare permitted but only with notification within 24 hours of the class time and with a written excuse provided by a doctor, police officer, or coroner’s office. If you miss an exam because of an unexcused absence, you will receive a zero (0) for that exam. Any exceptions to the above must be discussed with the professor prior to the date of the exam.
5.0 Grading Criteria:
Attendance(25 points) 4%
Exam #1(100 points) 24%
Exam #2(100 points)24%
Exam #3(100 points)24%
Exam #4(100 points)24%
382 – 425 points = A
339 - 381 points = B
296 - 336 points = C
253 - 295 points = D
< 253 points = F
6. 0.Course Calendar*
Date / Chapter / Topic1/22 / 1 (G&W) / Introductions
1/25 / 2 (G & W), / Frequency Distributions
1/27 / 3 (G&W), / Central Tendency
2/1 / 4 (G&W), / Variability
2/3 / 5 (G&W) / Z scores
2/8 / Open 2/8 – 2/14 / Exam 1
2/10 / 6 (G&W) / Probability
2/15 – 2/17 / 7 (G & W) / Probability & Samples
2/22 – 2/24 / 8 (G&W) / Intro to Hypothesis Testing
2/29 – 3/2 / 9 (G&W), / Intro to t statistic
3/7 – 3/9 / 10 (G&W), / t statistic for independent samples
3/14 – 3/16 / No Class / Spring Break
3/21 – 3/23 / 11(G&W), / t statistic for related samples
3/28 / Open 3/28 – 4/3 / Exam 2
4/4 / 12 (G&W) / Intro to ANOVA
4/6 – 4/11 / 13 (G&W), / Repeated Measures ANOVA
4/13 – 4/18 / 14 (G&W), / Two Factor ANOVA
4/20 / Open 4/18 -4/24 / Exam 3
4/25 – 4/27 / 15 (G&W), / Correlation
5/2 / 16 (G&W), / Intro to Regression
5/4 / 17(G&W), / Chi Square Statistics
5/9 / Open 5/9 – 5/12 / Exam 4
* Professor reserves the right to amend this syllabus at any time. Assignment dates and times subject to change. Please check for current dates/times in Blackboard assignment/assessment links
8.0. Academic Resources/ Expectations:
Students are expected to read the assigned materials prior to each class and be prepared to discuss those reading. Open, active discussion and questions related to course concepts are strongly encouraged. Such discussion fosters a critical evaluation and understanding of concepts.
Students who are absent from class are responsible for that day’s material, as outlined in the syllabus.
Students are responsible for reviewing the course calendar included with this syllabus and in Blackboard for all assignment deadlines so they can plan to complete the assignment in a timely manner and/or before the deadline. It is the student’s responsibility to plan accordingly so that all deadlines are met. Please note that all requirements are outlined in the syllabus and in the Blackboard course section.
It is against TAMU-CT policy to bring children to class. This includes leaving children in the campus library or Warrior Hall. If you have a problem with school/day care for a minor child, PLEASE do not bring them to campus.
Please silence cell phones and other electronic devices. While the latest Lady Gaga ring-tone is possibly very cool, it is also distracting to me and you fellow students. Please only share it with us OUTSIDE of class.
Please refrain from engaging in “sidebar” conversations with your fellow students. It is disrespectful to your fellow students and to me. Asking quick, class related questions is fine. Engaging in extended and loud socializing is not acceptable.
Finally, please show respect for everyone in the class. Try to avoid monopolizing class discussions, insulting other people, etc. Everyone deserves the chance to be engaged in the class and to be treated as a fellow scholar.
9.0. Drop Policy:
If you discover that you need to drop this class, you must go to the Records Office and ask for the necessary paperwork. Professors cannot drop students; this is always the responsibility of the student. The record’s office will give a deadline for which the form must be returned, completed, and signed. Once you return the signed form to the records office and wait 24 hours, you must go into DuckTrax and confirm that you are no longer enrolled. If you are still enrolled, FOLLOW-UP with the records office immediately. You are to attend class until the procedure is complete to avoid penalty for absence. Should you miss the deadline or fail to follow the procedure, you will receive an F in the course.
10.0. Library Services:
Information literacy focuses on research skills that prepare individuals to live and work in an information-centered society. Librarians will work with students in the development of critical reasoning, ethical use of information, and the appropriate use of secondary research techniques. Help may include, yet is not limited to: exploration of information resources such as library collections and services, identification of subject databases and scholarly journals, and execution of effective search strategies, retrieving. Library Resources are outlined and accessed through the web page:
11.0. Academic Integrity: