Psychological Statistics

Course Details

Course Number: 3313  Section Number: 202

Spring 2011

Location: Prothro-Yeager Hall

Classroom Number: 101

Days & Times:

TR 11:00-12:20

Course Attachments

Syllabus  psyc_3313_syllabus-20120321-141534.doc

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. George M. Diekhoff   
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Course Objectives

 

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.


Course Expectations

 

TEXT AND MATERIALS

 

  • Diekhoff, G. M.  Basic Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences.  Zip Publishing reprint available in campus bookstore and the College Store.
  •  Battery-operated hand calculator with the following functions: +, -, x, /, x2, sq. root, and memory.
  •  Travel Drive

 

 

 

TOPICS

 

READING ASSIGNMENTS

 

Introduction and summation notation

 

Chapter 1, Appendix A

 

Data distributions: tables and graphs

 

Chapter 2

 

Descriptive statistics

 

Chapter 3

 

EXAM ONE

 

Standard scores, the normal distribution, and the standard normal distribution

 

Chapter 4

 

Sampling distributions and interval estimation

 

Chapter 5

 

EXAM TWO

 

Significant difference tests: One- and two-sample tests; one-way ANOVA

 

Chapters 6, 7, 8

 

EXAM THREE

Correlation and regression

 

Chapters 10, 11

 

EXAM FOUR (FINAL)

  

 


Grading Standards

 

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 above.  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:

 

Grade = Test Average + Labs –  Excessive Absence Penalty

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


Final Exam5/10/2010  10:30 am

Submission Format Policy

n/a



Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

n/a


Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

 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.


Other Policies

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.


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.