Glendale
Community College
Course
Syllabus*
Important Student Links:
Psychology Department Web Page
PSY 230, Introduction to
Statistics
Fall 2008
Section 34129: TR: 11:30-12:45 pm, LS143
In this syllabus you will find information about:
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Instructor:
Elizabeth Jacobs, Ph.D.
Office: 04-120
Phone: 623.845.3734
Office Hours: MWF: 8-9 am, TR: 7:30-8:30 am, And by appointment
Course Objectives:
The objective of this course is to introduce the student to the purpose and use of statistics as they are used in the behavioral sciences. At the conclusion of this course the student should be able to apply and compute basic statistical analyses and, most importantly, be able to examine scientific journal articles and draw conclusions about their validity with respect to basic principles of scientific research and their use of statistical applications. The coursework requires basic math skills, ability to use a calculator, and some algebra.
Textbook/Materials:
- Essentials of Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, 5th Edition, Gravetter and Wallnau
- A simple calculator (with a square root function)
Get information about the GCC Bookstore or order your texts online
Attendance:
Attendance is required. In accordance with GCC policy, you will be allowed two unexcused absences. After the third absence, you may be withdrawn by me from the class. However, withdrawal is the responsibility of the student and failure to attend may result in a grade of "F." I STRONGLY URGE YOU ATTEND EACH AND EVERY CLASS. The coursework in Statistics requires your complete and constant attention.
Tests/Projects: This section describes homework assignments, critiques, tests, and the mini-research project. Use your browser's "Back" button to return here.
Homework: Daily homework will be assigned but collected intermittently. Homework assignments are from the textbook and from occasional handouts. Some homework will require that you use on-campus computers in the Life Science Multi-purpose Laboratory or the High Tech Centers. Information about these labs will be announced in class. All homework assignments should be completed and handed in on notebook paper at the beginning of the class period. Make sure the chapter number and date are clearly indicated in the top right corner of your homework. Credit will not be given to homework that is not clearly labeled. Make a copy of your homework to follow in class. Late homework will be reduced by 50% for each day late. . All work must be clearly shown.
Critiques: You are also required to critique two professional journal articles. A list of articles can be found online from the Statistics Resource Page (glory.gc.maricopa.edu/~ejacobs then "statistics resources" in the lower right-hand corner) . You may choose an article that is not on the list but it must first be approved by me. The critique should address a topic that is of interest to you. If you critique an article that is not on the web page list, a copy of the article should be attached to your critique paper. For each article, state the publication name, date, and title of article and then thoroughly answer the questions that appear on the Statistics Resource Page .
Due dates for the critiques are indicated on the following Agenda. Papers must be typed, double-spaced with one-inch margins and handed in during class time on the due date. No late papers will be accepted.
Tests: As the following agenda indicates, three tests and one final exam covering course material are scheduled. Some tests may be of the "take home" variety. Students are expected to work independently on take-home tests. Tests include multiple choice and statistical problems. Tests must be taken on the date indicated. Testing dates are also indicated on the Agenda.
Research Project: One research project will be conducted as part of the requirements of this course. The due date for the project appears on the Agenda at the end of this syllabus. A double-spaced typewritten paper (1" margins) should include the following sections:
The Introduction, which presents the logic of the study, cites previous research that led to the research at hand. The paragraph should state your hypothesis and describe your expectations of your statistical research.
A Method Section, which describes the sample, method, and statistical analysis used to reach your conclusion.
Results, which includes a summary of the data, the results of statistical tests, and tables and figures.
And the Discussion which presents an interpretation of the information presented in you Results paragraph and should begin with a statement as to whether your research question was supported or not supported (don't use the word "proved").
More information about the project will be presented as the course moves along.
The final grade for this course is the AVERAGE GRADE received on TESTS, FINAL EXAM, HOMEWORK/OUT OF CLASS ASSIGNMENTS, and the PROJECT/CRITIQUES. These activities contribute to the final score as follows:
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Attendance
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10% |
| Total |
100% |
Class participation will be taken into account if the final grade is borderline (within two points of the next highest grade). The formula for the final grade is:
.40(test average) + .20(Critque grade) + .20(Project Grade) + .10(% of HW handed in) + .10(Attendance)
No withdrawal will be initiated after the guaranteed "w" date.
If, because of disability, you need special accommodations to take part in this class, please let me know.
It is assumed that students will complete homework assignments and take-home assignments alone and that classroom behavior will contribute to the learning environment. Please refer to the GCC Student Handbook for attendance, scholastic, and disciplinary standards.
Please turn off cell phones during class. Students may record class proceedings but the instructor reserves the right to ask students to turn off their recorders at any time during class. Listening to music, talking on cell phones, and text messaging are very disruptive. Students who do so will be asked to leave for the remainder of the class.
For insurance reasons, visitors and children should not attend class.
This course is NOT difficult IF you do the following:
The following agenda includes the chapters covered in this class and assigned for reading, test dates, and due dates for articles. READ the chapter from the text BEFORE the day it appears on the Agenda so that I will be able to answer any questions or work through any problems you may be having during class. Come to class prepared to work each homework problem on the board or in a group.
Fall 2008,
Course Agenda
|
August
26, 28, September 2 |
Chapter 1, Introduction to Statistics |
|
September
4, 9 |
Chapter 2, Frequency Distributions |
|
September
11, 16 |
Test
#1, Ch. 1 & 2, Take-home |
|
September
18, 23 |
Chapter 4, Variability |
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September
25, 30 |
Chapter
5, z-scores |
|
October
2, 7, 9 |
TEST
#2, Ch. 3, 4, 5. Take-home |
|
October
14, 16 |
Chapter 7, Probability and Samples |
|
October
21, 23 |
Chapter
8, Hypothesis Testing |
|
October
28, 30 |
Test
#3, Ch. 6, 7, 8. Take-home |
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November
4, 6 |
Chapter
10, Two Independent Samples |
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November
13, 18 |
Chapter
11, Related Samples |
| November
20, 25 |
Chapter 12, Estimation |
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December
2, 4 |
Chapter 13, Analysis of Variance November 22: Project due |
|
December
9, 11 |
Chapter
15, Correlation/Wrap-up |
|
Week of December 15th (TBA) |
Test
#4 |
*The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus to meet the needs of this particular class.