Psychological Statistics

Students will become capable beginning-level users of statistical procedures in the following categories: (1) descriptive statistics; (2) significant difference tests; (3) correlation; and (4) regression analysis as time allows.  The course is limited to univariate and bivariate statistical procedures. Students will also become capable beginning-level users of SPSS.

GRADING

Course grades will be based on the average of four noncumulative exams, each worth 100 points. Five points will be deducted from this average for each unexcused absence beyond those allowed as explained below. All students are expected to take all exams; no exceptions are made for graduating seniors. In addition, the course includes five computer lab sessions during the semester in which you will learn the basics of computerized statistical analysis. Each lab includes a homework assignment which, though optional, will earn one bonus point to be added to your course average. (All labs must be turned in to me by Thursday, May 5, no later than 5:00 pm.)

Grades will be assigned as follows:

Test Average + Labs – Excessive Absence Penalty

Grade 90-100 = A, 80-89= B, 70-79= C ,60-69= D, 59 and below= F

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ATTENDANCE POLICY

Students are allowed four unexcused absences (as defined below) in PSYC 3313 during the spring 2011 semester. Each additional unexcused absence beyond these will result in the reduction of the student’s course average by 5 points (one-half letter grade).  Each tardy is counted as one-half absence, but if you are tardy you must alert me to your presence at the end of the class period.  Leaving class prior to dismissal is considered equivalent to a tardy.

Students who miss one or more exams because of absences will be allowed to take makeup exams, but there will be a 10-point (i.e., one letter grade) penalty for exams that were missed for unexcused reasons.

Absences are excused only under the following circumstances:

• the student provides a written excuse from a medical practitioner stating that the student was unable to attend class on the day(s) of the absence;
• the student provides a written excuse from a medical practitioner stating that the student=s dependent child was ill on the day(s) of the absence;
• the student provides a written excuse from an official of Midwestern State University stating that the student was in attendance at a mandatory university function on the day(s) of the absence.

Funerals, employment-related absences, illnesses not requiring medical attention, job interviews, family emergencies, automobile malfunctions, court appearances, etc. do not constitute excused absences.  Please reserve your allowed unexcused absences to cover these situations.

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS

1. Learning requires activity on the student’s part. This can be challenging in a lecture class, but students have found ways of dealing with the problem for centuries and so can you—by taking notes, thinking of examples, paraphrasing ideas that you hear in class, and so on. Please stay busy and involved in class by taking notes.
2. Students at Midwestern are increasingly getting up and leaving classes, sometimes returning and sometimes not. That behavior is inappropriate and disruptive. Therefore, come to class on time and be prepared to stay for the duration of the class. It would never occur to me to walk out of a lecture except under the most extraordinary of circumstances (e.g., I’m coughing my head off and my presence is more disturbing to the class than my leaving), and I’d be even more unlikely to further disrupt the proceedings by coming back after having left! I do not want to have to establish a formal policy in order to manage this aspect of classroom behavior. Let’s all rely, then, on using common sense and common courtesy. 
3. Do not use cell phones in class. If you bring a laptop, use it only for taking notes.