SYLLABUS

CLASSES MEET IN COMPUTER LAB 107 - GROUND FLOOR OF SELF HALL.

I. Course Title:

PSY 301 -- Psychological Statistics

II. Prerequisites:

Sophomore standing; PSY 201 or comparable course.

III. Course Description:

This is an introductory level course which focuses on central tendency and variability; the normal curve and transformations; probability theory; hypothesis testing to include one-way analysis of variance and factorial designs. Computer-assisted approaches (SPSS for Windows) to data processing and analysis are emphasized.

IV. Rationale:

Today's students of education and psychology need to have an in-depth understanding of the main concepts of statistics in order to analyze data gathered using research procedures as well as to read material from professional journals with some degree of confidence and comprehension.

V. Course Objectives:

As a result of taking this course, the student should be able to:

1. Discuss and apply the basic terms and concepts of statistics.

2. Differentiate between descriptive and inferential statistics.

3. Compute measures of central tendency and variability.

4. Analyze and explain the relationship between probability and statistics.

5. Describe the general characteristics of the normal curve and analyze when it is appropriate to use the normal curve when analyzing data.

6. Discuss, with understanding, the purpose of the null hypothesis

in analyzing data in a research situation.

7. Formulate directional and non-directional hypotheses as they relate to specific hypothesis-testing situations synthesized from data collected by the class.

8. For a given set of data, analyze the appropriate parametric or non- parametric statistical test to be used, e.g., z-test, t-test, Chi Square, F test, apply it and evaluate the results.

9. Synthesize research questions requiring One-Way ANOVA and Two-Way ANOVA applications.

10. Compute a Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and a Spearman Rho

correlation coefficient for given sets of data and explain the significance

of the statistical results.

11. Explain the process of making predictions using linear regression techniques, and compute predicted values.

12. Demonstrate an ability to read, with understanding, journal articles that feature the above statistical procedures.

13. Carry out various statistical procedures on the computer using the SPSS for Windows statistics package.

VI. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Mississippi College students are expected to be scrupulously honest. Dishonesty such as cheating or plagiarism, or furnishing false information, including forgery, alteration or misuse of College documents, records or identification, will be regarded as a serious offense subject to severe penalty, including, but not limited to loss of credit and possible dismissal. See the 2002-2003 Mississippi College Tomahawk or Policy 2.19 for specific information regarding penalties associated with dishonest behavior at Mississippi College. Copies of the Tomahawk are available in the Office of Student Affairs, Nelson 212. Copies of policies are available on the Mississippi College web site (http://www.mc.edu/publications/policies/219.html).

VII. Course Topics:

The major topics to be covered in PSY 301 are:

1. Introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics

2. Frequency distributions

3. Central tendency

4. Variability

5. z-Scores

6. Probability

7. Samples and distributions of sample means

8. Introduction to hypothesis testing

9. Hypothesis tests with independent samples

10. Hypothesis tests with related samples

11. Estimation

12. Independent samples analysis of variance

13. Related-measures analysis of variance

14. Two-factor analysis of variance

15. Correlation

16. Regression

17. Non-parametric tests, e.g.Chi-square tests for goodness of fit and independence

VIII. Instructional Methods:

Instructional methods for PSY 301 will include lecture, large and small group discussion, individual and group projects, and data analysis in the campus computer lab.

IX. Assignments:

A. Homework problems will be assigned for each topic discussed in class. The homework assignments will include manual and computer-assisted work. Each assignment will be graded on a 0 - 10 point scale. Students are expected to spend some time outside of class in the computer lab. The homework assignments are due at the beginning of the next class after they have been assigned by the instructor. (Note: the homework assignments are worth the equivalent of three test grades and so completing them is vitally important).

B. Six tests will be administered during the semester. The testing dates may be found in the Course Calendar section. The course content will be divided into six basic sections. Each test will cover one of these sections. Each test will include questions, manual computation of data, and computer- assisted data analysis. Only five of the tests are counted toward the final grade. The lowest test score is dropped.

C. A cumulative final exam will be administered at the end of the semester at the time designated in the MC class schedule. All students except graduating seniors must take the exam.

D. Quizzes on readings for class and homework problems.

E. Report on the research posters from PSY 336.

X. Instructional Materials and Bibliography:

A. Required Textbooks:

Gravetter, F. J., & Wallnau, L. B. (2000). Statistics for the behavioral sciences (5th ed.). St. Paul, MN: West.

Pavkov, T. W. , & Pierce, K. A. (1998). Ready, set, go!: A student guide to SPSS for Windows 11.0. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield. (Note: this is a very important text since it displays how to use the SPSS package and enter and analyze data the way we do in class)

XI. Evaluation:

Attendance: 60 possible points - 2 points per class session. You must be present to earn the points or present evidence of an excused absence to the instructor. Please be on time for class. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late to class it will be considered an absence and you will not receive the 2 points for that day.

Tests: 200 possible points - There are five tests with 50 possible points for each test. The lowest test score will be dropped - excluding the final. Tests will consist of statistical problems to be solved by hand and by computer, as well as the ability to analyze and explain statistical concepts and terms. If a student misses a test, a grade of 0 is assigned unless the absence is excused. Only 4 tests will be used to calculate the student’s grade. Because tests will be done by hand and by computer, it is important to purchase and become very familiar with the Ready, Set, Go text that highlights how to do the various statistical procedures on the SPSS software so that you will be familiar with the software when completing tests on the computer. Also, since statistical work often requires using a database, you may be provided with a database, if needed, that will be utilized for parts of certain tests. Finally, when writing up your work on tests, the calculations and results will need to be presented following certain specific steps that will be provided by the instructor. These steps will be covered in class prior to each test.

Final Exam: 100 possible points for the cumulative final exam that will be a combination of take home, evaluation of Psy 336 research posters at the poster session, and in class work.

Homework: 150 possible points. This is equivalent to three tests!

Grading Scale:

470 + points = A

434-469 points = B

382-433 points = C

332-381 points = D

0- 331 points = F

XII. Additional Course Information:

A. Attendance Policy:

Class attendance is an essential part of your education at Mississippi College. The General Bulletin provides guidelines for tardiness and absences. Each student should familiarize himself/herself with the institution’s policy on attendance. Upon exceeding 25% absences, the student receives an automatic F for the course, so please pay attention to attendance requirements.

B. Special Accommodations:

If you need special accommodations due to learning, physical, psychological, or other disabilities, please contact Dr. Buddy Wagner in the Counseling and Testing Center. He may be reached by phone at (601) 925-3354 or by mail at P.O. Box 4016, Clinton, MS 39058.

C. Class Communications:

Dr. Bill Wheeler

Office: Lowrey 105

Office Telephone: 925-3841

Home Telephone: 924-2323

E-Mail: wheeler@mc.edu

Web page:

XIII. Course Calendar:

Classes will meet in the computer lab in room 107 of Self Hall from 1:15 pm to 2:30 pm. This course will follow the outline of the Gravetter Textbook. Students will need to complete chapter reading assignments prior to the date when the material is discussed in class.

8/28, 9/2, 9/4, 9/9 Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4

9/11 Exam 1

9/16, 9/18, 9/23 Chapters 5, 6, 7

9/25 Exam 2

9/30, 10/2, 7, 9, 14 Chapter 8, 9, 10, 11

10/16 Exam 3

10/21, 10/23, 10/30 Chapters 12, 13

11/4 Exam 4

11/6, 11/11, 11/13, 11/18 Chapters 14, 15

11/20 Exam 5

11/25, 12/2, 4, 9 Chapter 16, 17, 18, 19

12/16 Final Exam (Cumulative) December 16, 11:00am to 1:00pm.

Seniors graduating in May can be excused from this final if content with the grade earned up to this point in the class. However, they must attend all classes from 11/25 to the end of the semester to be eligible.

Class may meet in Lowrey Hall on a few dates to be announced.