Explanation of Assignments:

• 1. Homework assignments require either or both of hand computation and computer analysis. There is a homework assignment for each major topic in the course, a total of 16 assignments. The assignments correspond to each of the 16 chapters in the textbook. Specific questions to be answered for each assignment are listed in the assignment calendar. (30%) Each homework assignment will be worth 2% of your grade, so 16 assignments can earn as much as 32 points, giving you a potential 2 point bonus.

• 2. You will write three examinations on the content of the course. You will be asked to demonstrate what you have learned both in writing and by computation. On examinations, you may use a calculator, provided all class members have one with them. However, you may use only the arithmetic functions add, subtract, multiply, divide, and square root.
• If you want extra time for the first two exams, you may come to the classroom during the previous class (my abnormal psychology class) in the same room. You may continue to work on exams until 11:40 a.m.
• Examinations are scheduled
• October 8 (15%)
• November 3 (15%)
• December 17, 8 - 10 a.m.. (15%).
• Material to be covered on each examination appears under the Class Topic Schedule.

• 3. A semester-long course project will culminate in a 5 - 7 page paper (not counting cover sheets, references, or data analysis appendices) in which you demonstrate your ability to select and apply appropriate statistical analyses to a research or human problem of your choice. The paper, in APA format, is due Wednesday, 1 December (20%). You may choose from these options:
a major-related research problem (A), a service-learning problem (B), or a grant proposal to deal with a current social issue (C).

Option A.   i. Choose a research problem in your area of academic interest by reviewing course notes, reading books and journals, or consulting the popular media. For example, you might be interested in why twice as many women as men have difficulty with the water level problem, that is, the apparent difficulty which intelligent people have figuring out the direction that the surface of water will take when its container is tilted. Or you might be interested in the news reports of the poor performance of U.S. students on mathematics tests, compared to their peers in several other countries. Once you have chosen a problem, find five journal articles that have considered the problem in the past. Analyze and organize the findings or arguments from the five sources in an introduction section.

ii.  Then, using what you will learn about research design in this course, set up a study that would be appropriate to gather data to help you answer the research problem. You may imitate the desings of your scholarly sources.

iii.  Next, choose one of four strategies.

a. Conduct the study you have designed, gathering new data. If you choose this option, consult with me about meeting the ethical obligations of research.

b. Find appropriate data in a published database. Several databases are linked to the course website, and you will be able to find others electronically.

c. Make up some data by generating the numbers randomly

d. Make up data in such a way that the results will support your research hypothesis.

iv.  Analyze your data, choosing the appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics, including graphs. Explain the meaning of your results in a discussion section. Connect your results with the results of the studies you consulted. Draw a conclusion or a set of conclusions.

v.  Identify your sources in a reference list. Include your statistical computations, whether done by hand or computer, in an appendix.

Option B.  i.  Choose a service-learning problem. Service-learning combines academic learning with volunteer service to enable you to apply and evaluate what you are learning in a practical setting, while providing valued service to a component of your community. The application will typically both reinforce what you are learning, and suggest additional learning you need to pursue.

ii.  For this assignment, you may use a voluntary service in which you are already engaged or wish to pursue. If you volunteer with the nursing home or Special Olympics or YFC or Habitat for Humanity or any other volunteer activity, whether the agency is for profit or not for profit, incorporated or not, there is a good chance that a quantitative analysis can be part of your volunteer work--and get credit in this class at the same time! . If you wonder whether a particular volunteer activity would work for this assignment, ask me.

iii.  As you do your volunteer work, analyze the ways that the contents of this course could be used. Respect the limits of confidentiality as you gather data, either by observation (How many hours did each of us work today? Which resident had visitors while I was there, and how long did each visitor stay?) or from public records. Do not report private information. Collect data on at least 5 variables.

iv.  Research five studies related to the work you are doing in scholarly journals, and use them to write an organized, coherent introduction to your report. Then explain what you are doing in your service activity, and try to connect it to what you have read.

v.  Analyze your data, choosing the appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics, including graphs. Explain the meaning of your results in a discussion section. Connect your results with the results of the studies you consulted. Draw a conclusion or a set of conclusions.

vi.  Identify your sources in a reference list. Include your statistical computations, whether by hand or computer, in an appendix.

Option C.  i.  Choose a social issue for which to write a grant proposal. Briefly, a grant proposal is an appeal to a foundation, institution, government agency or individual for funds to set up or operate a program, supported by arguments that the program will meet a need that is near and dear to the hearts of the grantor. You can find out more about particular grant proposals through your own research.

ii.  Find five studies or accounts of programs that address the social issue in which you are interested, and use them to write an introduction to your proposal.

iii.  Do further research to find appropriate data to support the proposal. (How many people in Allegany County are addicted to alcohol? How many senior citizens would use public transportation, if it were available, and how often? How many Houghton students need aluminum foil helmets to protect their brains from radio waves being emitted by the fillings in other students' teeth, and how thick should the foil be?) Collect data on at least five variables, considering both need variables and cost variables.

iv.  Analyze your data with appropriate descriptive and inferential techniques, and use the results of your analysis to support your grant proposal.

4. Computer assignments (5%)

We will be studying the meaning of statistical analysis with formulas and calculations, in order to develop a deeper understanding of what we are doing. However, most statistical analysis in research settings and in business is done - often badly - by computer programs. Consequently, we will also learn the statistical capabilities of two applications - Microsoft Excel and SPSS.

Several assignments will be given requiring you to learn and use Excel and SPSS. I will be available to help you, and I may go over some of the computer work in class, but you are responsible to learn these applications outside class time.

5. Attendance and participation are important to your success. You must not fall behind in this class. For each absence after the third, you will lose one-half of one point from your grade, up to a maximum of five points. (5%)

 

Assignment Calendar:

Date	Assignment	Value		Date	Assignment	Value
9/8	Homework Chapter 1	2%
9/15	Homework Chapter 2	2%		11/3	Second Examination	15%
9/20	Homework Chapter 3	2%		11/8	Homework Chapter 11	2%
9/24	Homework Chapter 4	2%		11/12	Homework Chapter 12	2%
10/1	Homework Chapter 5	2%		11/19	Homework Chapter 13	2%
10/8	Homework Chapter 6	2%		11/29	Homework Chapter 14	2%
10/8	Examination 1	15%		12/1	Research Paper Due	20%
10/18	Homework Chapter 7	2%		12/6	Homework Chapter 15	2%
10/25	Homework Chapter 8	2%		12/14	Homework Chapter 16	2%
10/29	Homework Chapter 9	2%		12/17	Final Examination: 8:00 a.m.	15%
11/3	Homework Chapter 10	2%

 

Class Topic Schedule:

Includes specific homework assignments

Chapter	Learning objectives (Items in bold are not in the textbook)	Homework
1	Understand how statistics relates to scientific method and epistemology Realize the usefulness of statistics in the search for truth and coping with uncertainty Define and identify these terms: variable, independent variable,dependent variable, extraneous variable, data, observational study, true experiment, descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, correlation, parameter estimation, population, sample, random sampling, sampling error, variables and constants, real limits Distinguish among scales of measurement: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio Differentiate discrete variables from continuous variables Understand and apply the rules of mathematical notation, summation, real limits, significant figures, and rounding Load and edit data in Microsoft Excel and SPSS	Due: 9/8: Chapter 1, questions 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 23, 24 Copy SPSS from the Classroom applications folder under Helpdesk Tools onto your computer. Read the Overview chapter of the SPSS tutorial. Learn how to enter and edit data in Microsoft Excel and SPSS Guidesheet to Excel changes and SPSS download Answers to homework
2	Construct simple frequency distributions and grouped frequency distributions Add relative frequency, cumulative frequency, and relative cumulative frequency (cumulative percentage) distributions Understand percentile points and percentile ranks Understand and conduct Pivot Table analyses. Select the appropriate use of these frequency graphs: bar graph, histogram, frequency polygon, cumulative percentage curve, stem-and-leaf diagram Identify symmetrical and skewed distributions Prepare graphs with honest impact, and detect graphic deception	Due 9/15: Chapter 2, questions 1, 5, 7, 12, 16, 23 Answers to homework Computer project 1: Use Excel to form a frequency distribution of the Age data in the Phramous dataset. Then, use Excel to draw an appropriate graph.
3	Compute the arithmetic mean and identify its properties Define and compute the median and the mode Explain how mean and median relate to skew and other aspects of the distribution's shape Learn how to report means, medians, and modes when writing in APA format	Due 9/20: Chapter 3, questions 5, 8, 14 - 20, 22, 23, 27
4	Understand and compute range, variance, standard deviation, SS, MS, degrees of freedom, and quartiles Understand why the computation of the standard deviation is different for samples and populations. Learn how to report standard deviations when writing in APA format	The Sum of Squares Song Due: 9/24: Chapter 4, questions 2, 4, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22
5	Compute standard scores (Z - scores) and interpret them. Use Z-scores to find percentiles and percentile ranks.	Due: 10/1: Chapter 5, questions 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 12, 20, 26 Computer project II: Descriptive statistics handout
6	Mathematically describe the normal curve Find percentage, area and probability (PAP) of Z-scores Use Z - scores to reverse from PAP to raw scores Understand the use of theoretical distributions Distinguish between a priori and a posteriori probabilities. Compute each of them. Apply the addition and multiplication rules of probability. Use the binomial table to simplify the binomial expansion. Use Pascal's triangle to simplify the binomial expansion. Compute the mean and standard deviation of a binomial distribution. Conduct and interpret the Sign test	Due: 10/8: Chapter 6, questions 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 17, 18
7	Understand the purpose of sampling, and use a table of random digits and a computer to sample both with replacement and without replacement. Know the general characteristics of sampling distributions. Use resampling to generate sampling distributions of the mean. Know the Central Limit Theorem Apply the sampling distribution of the mean in the Normal Deviate Test using Z - scores (the Z-test for a sample mean). Apply the Confidence Interval/Critical Region approach to statistical decisions Learn how to report standard error when writing in APA format	Due: 10/18: Chapter 7, questions 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 20, 22, 24
8	Define these terms: research hypothesis, alternative hypothesis, null hypothesis, decision rule, alpha, Type I error, Type II error, one-tailed probability, two-tailed probability, hypothesis testing, unidirectional vs. bidirectional tests, statistical significance, effect size Learn how to report statistical test results when writing in APA format	Due 10/25: Chapter 8, questions 7, 8, 10, 21, 25 Computer project III: Handout
9	Understand the concept of degrees of freedom. Apply the t-test for single samples, and compare it to the Normal Deviate Test with Z. (the Z-test for a sample mean) Use t to establish confidence intervals and critical regions. Apply the Z-test for a sample proportion Understand the concept of statistical power, and know how to compute it and maximize it. Learn how to report t-test results when writing in APA format	Due 10/29: Chapter 9, questions 2, 3, 4, 10, 12, 16, 24
10	Identify the features of an independent-samples design. Distinguish correlated groups from independent groups. Distinguish within-subjects from between-subjects designs Understand and apply the relevant t test for independent samples. Understand and compute effect sizes Know the assumptions underlying the t test. Learn how to report independent-samples t-test results when writing in APA format	Due 11/3: Chapter 10, questions 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 18
11	Understand and apply the relevant t test for correlated groups or related samples Know the strengths and risks asssociated with using related samples Learn how to report related-samples t-test results when writing in APA format	Due 11/8: Chapter 11, questions 4, 8, 12, 15, 19, 23
12	Parameter/point estimation	Due 11/12: Chapter 12, questions4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 20
13	Understand and apply the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Know the relationship between ANOVA and t tests. Understand and apply the t test for independent groups to planned comparisons Understand and apply Tukey's HSD test and the Scheffe' test for post hoc comparisons Learn how to report ANOVA results when writing in APA format	Due 11/19: Chapter 13, questions 8, 11, 14, 18, 20, 23 Computer project IV: Handout
14	Compute, evaluate, and interpret the two-way or factorial analysis of variance Learn how to report two-way and repeated-measures ANOVA results when writing in APA format	Due 11/29 : Chapter 14, questions 6, 9, 12, 20, 22, 24
15	Define these terms: scatter plot, Y intercept, slope, positive/negative/inverse relationships, perfect/imperfect relationship, outliers Compute and interpret Pearson r, COD, Spearman rho, and the f coefficient Distinguish between correlation and causation. Define these terms:  least-squares regression line, standard error of estimate, homoscedasticity, multiple regression, multiple correlation Compute the Y intercept and slope of a line and use them as regression coefficients to predict values of Y' Understand the application of SEE Apply and interpret multiple correlationand multiple regression Know when not to use linear regression for prediction Learn how to report correlation and regression results when writing in APA format	Due 12/6: Chapter 15, questions 5, 8, 10, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23 Computer project V: Handout
16	Understand and apply the chi-squared tests for goodness of fit and for independence/association Learn how to report chi-squared results when writing in APA format Know when to apply the Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests	Due 12/14 : Chapter 16, questions 3, 8, 10, 12, 15, 18

Computer Usage: Excel and SPSS

1. Guide sheet to activating Excel and downloading SPSS.

2. Using Pivot Tables for Frequency Distributions

3. Drawing column charts with Excel.

4. Setting spacing between columns in Excel charts.

5. Z-scores in Excel and SPSS

6. Pearson correlation in Excel and SPSS

7. Spearman correlation in SPSS

12. The normal deviate test in Excel: Z-test for samples

Links to Statistics Sites

Several statistical databases maintained by federal government agencies are available on this site.

E-Discussion

Back to top

A discussion group folder should be available to you in Outlook. Go to Public Folders/All Public Folders/ Academic/ Classes/ YoungP/StatF04. For future convenience, drag the folder up into your Favorites folder.

Remember that items you post to the discussion group may be read by any member of the class, including the teacher. However, nobody else has access to your musings.

PowerPoint Slides

Click on the presentation you wish to review. You will reach the first of the day's (or week's) slides. Click on the scroll bar to the right to go through the slides. If you wish to print the slides, click on File/Print... and in the resulting dialog box, you can choose to print Handouts from the Print What drop-down menu. Then you can choose to print 3 slides per page, with lines for notes, or six slides per page, to save a tree.

Set 1. Epistemology, terminology, and scales of measurement.
Set 2. Symbols and conventions.
Set 3. Frequency distributions, percentiles, and percentile ranks.
Set 4. Averages or measures of central tendency and measures of variability..
Set 5. Z-scores and the standard normal distribution
Set 6. Probability
Set 7. Probability, sampling theory, and the distribution of sample means
Set 8. Hypothesis testing: The science of uncertainty rears its ugly head.
Set 8a. The binomial distribution
Set 9. Student's t distribution
Set 10. Two ts for two: Independent samples and related samples
Set 11.
Set 12. Estimation statistics
Set 13. One way to do Analysis of Variance: The one-way ANOVA
Set 13a. Multiple comparisons
Set 14. More ways to do Analysis of Variance: Repeated measures, two factors
Set 15a. Correlation and regression
Set 15b. Correlation
Set 15c. Multiple regression
Set 16. Frequency inferences: Chi-squared and more
Set 17.
Set 18.

8/31	9/1	9/3	9/6	9/8	9/10	9/13
9/15	9/17	9/20	9/22	9/24	9/27	9/29
10/1	10/4	10/6	10/8	10/11	10/13	10/15
10/18	10/20	10/22	10/25	10/27	10/29	11/1
11/3	11/5	11/8	11/10	11/12	11/15	11/17
11/19	11/22	11/29	12/1	12/3	12/6	12/8

Last updated 22 September, 2004

Copyright Paul Young