COURSE SYLLABUS

Statistics in Social Science Research

Spring 2017

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Course Description

This class focuses on the introductory statistical techniques used in social science research. Students will be introduced to concepts such as reliability, validity, measures of central tendency, variability, probability, and statistical techniques including: ttests (independent & dependent samples), Analysis of variance, Chi-square, correlation, and regression. Students are expected to take the material/concepts presented in class and apply them through a series of homework assignments and quizzes. The overall goal of the course is not only to help students understand the mathematical/statistical concepts presented but also to assist in the application of these procedures.

Course Goals

  • Introduce statistical concepts utilized in research within the social sciences
  • Apply the mathematical/statistical techniques presented for social science research
  • Demonstrate an ability to analyze and interpret data within the social sciences
  • Provide practical examples as to when statistical techniques presented are appropriate methods for analysis.

Required Text

Salkind, N. J. (2017). Statistics for People Who (Think They) Hate Statistics (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

A free and open companion website for this textbook is available to help you study. This site, at edge.sagepub.com/salkind6e, includes the data sets for the exercises in the book, as well as practice quizzes, flashcards, videos, and journal articles.

Other Readings

Other readings will be made available throughout the semester as needed.

Supplies

A calculator and access to Excel and the statistical package SPSS is required.

Course Structure

Assignments and exams used to enhance your learning experience in this course include:

  1. Readings:You are responsible for the material covered in the bookprior to attending class. Please note that the week’s readings are specified in the class schedule on the followingpages. In addition to these readings, the instructor may assign supplemental readings throughout the semester. These supplemental readings do not appear on the schedule as these readings will be assigned at the instructor’s discretion.
  1. Exams:One mid-term exam and one final exam will be given on the material covered in the class and on the assigned readings.Exams will be based on the readings, material discussed in class, quizzes, and homework assignments.
  1. Quizzes:Four quizzes will be given throughout the semester and will require that you read and respond to material in the textbook as well as work out mathematical/statistical procedures discussed in class.
  1. Homework:Students will be responsible for the completion of four homework assignments. The purpose of the assignment is to assist students in applying their understanding of the statistical procedures discussed in class as to well as to provide an opportunity for students to respond to the readings.

Grading

25 %Mid-Term Exam

30 %Final Exam

20 %Quizzes

25% Homework

100 % Total

Class Schedule

Subject to modification at instructor’s discretion.You will be notified of any changes.

WeekChapter/TopicsItems Due

1Chapter 1: Statistics or Sadistics? It’s Up to You

2Chapter 2:Means to an End: Computing and Understanding Averages

Chapter 3: Vive la Différence: Understanding Variability

3Chapter 4: A Picture Really Is Worth a Thousand Words Homework #1

Chapter 21: The Ten Commandments of Data Collection

4Chapter 5: Ice Cream and Crime: Computing Correlation Coefficients Quiz #1

5Chapter 6:Just the Truth: An Introduction to Understanding Reliability and Validity

6Chapter 7: Hypotheticals and You: Testing Your Questions Homework #2

Chapter 8: Are Your Curves Normal? Probability and Why It Counts

7Chapter 9:Significantly Significant: What It Means for You and Me Quiz #2

Chapter 10: Only the Lonely: The One-Sample Z Test

8Chapter 11:t(ea) for Two: Tests Between the Means of Different Groups

Chapter 12:t(ea) for Two (Again): Tests Between the Means of Related Groups

9Mid-Term Exam

Chapter 13: Two Groups Too Many? Try Analysis of Variance

10Chapter 14:Two Too Many Factors: Factorial Analysis of Variance Homework #3

11Chapter 15: Testing Relationships Using the Correlation Coefficient Quiz #3

12Chapter 16:Predicting Who’ll Win the Super Bowl: Using Linear Regression

13Chapter 17:Chi-Square and Some Other Nonparametric Tests Homework #4

14Chapter 18:Some Other (Important) Statistical Procedures Quiz #4

Chapter 19: Data Mining: An Introduction to

15Chapters 20-22: A Statistical Software Sampler, Internet Sites, and Data Collection

16Final Exam