Statistics 200 - Introductory Statistics
(Winter, 2008, 5th period MWThF (Section 2)

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TEXTS:

Statistics: The Exploration and Analysis of Data (5th Ed.) (D&P)
by J. DeVore & R. Peck

A Simple Guide to SPSS for Windows (K&F)
    by L.A. Kirkpatrick & B.C. Feeney

Optional Texts:
Statistics for the Terrified (4th Ed) 
by John H. Kranzler

Student Solution Manual for Statistics by Mary Mortlock (Thomson/Brooks-Cole, 2005)


CONTACT INFORMATION:

Frank McAndrew, E-131 SMC, Ext. 7525

e-mail: fmcandre@knox.edu.

Psychology Department Web Page

SPSS DATA FILE FROM CLASS SURVEY

2006 BASEBALL STATISTICS

HYPOTHESIS TESTING FLOW CHART

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Introduction to the Course
This course will be an introduction to the statistical procedures most often used in psychology, biology, and the social sciences.  No previous knowledge of statistics is assumed, and no mathematical sophistication beyond basic algebra is necessary.  In a course of this nature, it is very important to keep up with the work on a daily basis, as it will really not be possible to “cram” at the end of the course and be successful.  Consequently, there will be a relatively large number of short tests given throughout the term followed by a comprehensive final exam.  In addition to forcing you to keep up with the material, this system also has the advantage of not penalizing you too severely if you do poorly on one of the tests.

On most class days, you will have to hand in a homework assignment.  These assignments will be relatively short, and they will be based upon the problems that are to be found at the end of each chapter.  Each class period will begin with a review of the homework problems assigned from the class before.  All homework problems will be collected and checked, but there will be no penalty for getting them wrong.  You will get TWO POINTS toward your final grade for each homework assignment that is handed in.  You may work on homework assignments with classmates, but what you turn in MUST BE YOUR OWN WORK.  The assigned homework problems for each chapter are listed on the last page of this syllabus.  Homework assignments will not be accepted late.

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Grading: In this course, you will take four tests and a comprehensive final exam. Your grade will be based on how many of the possible points you accumulate across the tests, homework, and the final exam.  No makeup tests will be given without prior permission and a very good excuse.  The following grade distribution should be used as a rough guide for letter grades.

GRADING SCALE:
93% - 100% = A
90% - 92% = A-
88% - 89% = B+
83% - 87% = B
80% - 82% = B-
78% - 79% = C+
73% - 77% = C
70% - 72% = C-
68% - 69% = D+
63% - 67% = D
60% - 62% = D-
<60% = F

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TOPICS & READING ASSIGNMENT

 Introduction to the Study of Statistics                          Chapters 1 & 2 (D&P) [NOT pp. 58-68]
          - populations vs. samples
          - descriptive vs. inferential statistics
          - experiments vs. correlational studies
          - discrete vs. continuous variables
          - scales of measurement

Frequency Distributions                                                Chapter 3 (D&P) [NOT pp. 86-93]
          - sigma notation
          - frequency distribution tables
          - graphing frequency distributions

Central Tendency                                                          pp. 139-150 (D&P)
          - the mean
          - the median
          - the mode
          - the shape of frequency distributions

Variability                                                                     pp. 150-158 (D&P)
          - ranges
          - variance & standard deviation

Introduction to using SPSS                                             Chapters 1, 2, 6 (K&F)

z-scores and Standardized Distributions                         pp. 166-179 (D&P)

TEST #1 - Approximate Date: January 24th

Probability                                                                      Chapters 6 & 7 (D&P), NOT pp. 290-298  or pp. 317-329.
          - the normal distribution                                      Appendix 1 (D&P)
          - the binomial distribution

Sampling Distributions and Standard Error                    Chapter 8 (D&P)

Point Estimation & Confidence Intervals                          Chapter 9 (D&P)

TEST #2 - Approximate Date: February 13th

Introduction to Hypothesis Testing                                  Chapter 10 (D&P)
          - null hypotheses                                                        (pp. 405-437 only)
          - levels of significance
          - Type I & Type II Errors
          - one- vs. two-tailed tests
          - effect size & statistical power

t-Tests                                                                              Chapter 11 (D&P) (pp. 457-485 only)
          - t-tests for independent samples                            Chapters 8, 9 (K&F)
          - t-tests for related/dependent samples

Analysis of Variance                                                        Chapter 15 (D&P) (pp. 665-684 only)
          - the F-Ratio and the logic of using ANOVA          Chapters 10, 12 (K&F)
          - ANOVA notation & formulas
          - post hoc tests
          - one-way analysis of variance
          - repeated measures analysis of variance

TEST #3 - Approximate Date: February 28th

Correlation & Regression                                                Chapter 5 (D&P)

          - The Pearson Correlation                                     Chapter 13 (D&P) (pp. 549-581 only)
          - The Spearman Correlation                                  Chapters 14 & 15 (K&F)
          - simple regression
          - standard error of estimate

Nonparametric Statistics                                                   Chapter 12 (D&P)
          - Chi Square                                                            Chapter 17 (K & F)
          - Other nonparametric tests

TEST #4 - Approximate Date: March 10th

COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM - During assigned final exam period

HOMEWORK PROBLEMS: Homework problems will be assigned in class on a day-to-day basis.  If you have to miss class, make sure to check with someone who was there to be sure you know what the assignment is.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS: