Psychology 3600

Statistics in Psychology

Fall 2009

TTh 9:00 – 10:15 AM

SS 317

 

Professor’s Name: Dr. Lauren Fowler

Professor’s e-mail: LFOWLER@WEBER.EDU or WebCT Mail Tool

            **This is by FAR the best way to get in touch with me!

Professor’s Office Phone: 801-626-7620 (answering machine)

Office Hours:  MWF 9-9:30 AM; Tues 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM; Also by Appointment

Office Location: SS 368

Web Site:  http://faculty.weber.edu/lfowler (class website at http://online.weber.edu )

 

I.  Required Materials

 A.  Textbook:  Pyrczak, F.  (2009).  Success at Statistics: A Workbook with Humor.  (4th ed).  Los Angeles, CA: Pyrczak Publishing.

 B.  Textbook:  Holcomb, Z.C.  (2009).  SPSS Basics.  (2nd ed).  Los Angeles, CA: Pyrczak Publishing.

 C.  Calculator capable of doing basic math functions and square root functions

 D.  USB Memory Stick (at least 256 MB in size)

      E.   #2 Pencils for Taking Exams

F.     $ .50 for taking exams (scan trons)

 

II. Web CT – the Course Website

You are required to become familiar with and use the course website via WebCT:   https://www.online.weber.edu/     I will post documents on this site (e.g. copy of syllabus, powerpoint files, grades, etc.) and will occasionally email students with announcements.  You will be turning in a portion of all of your homework assignments using WebCT.  For technical issues, please contact computer support by: a) calling 626-7777, or b) emailing csupport@weber.edu, or, c) go to Lampros Hall and ask for assistance.  I can try to help you with technical problems, but your best bet is to go to the professionals.  You should become familiar with WebCT well in advance of the first homework assignment due date.

 

III.  Course Grade

 

                 No exams or homework assignments can be made up after the last day of

                 Classes.  There are no exceptions to this rule!

 

 

 

      A.  Examinations

             Four examinations will be given during the semester (each

                     will make up 20% of your grade).  Each exam will be comprised of an open-

                     note computational test and a closed-note concept test.  For the open-note

                     computational exam, you may have one 8 ˝”   by 11” piece of paper with notes

                     (2-sided) to help you take this exam (as well as a standard calculator).  You

                     may not use notes for the concept portion of the exam.  Each concept exam

                     will be taken in a WSU testing center.  You have 3 days to take the concept

                     portion of the exam; the computation portion will be taken in class.  Each

                     portion (concept & computation) is worth 50% of that exam grade.

 

A comprehensive final exam (worth 20% of your grade) will be given December 3rd  and will be due December 8th no later than 4 PM.  This exam will be a take-home exam.  Your lowest exam grade will be dropped, so after the first 4 exams, if you have an A, you do not need to take the final exam.

 

      B.  Make-up Examinations/Missing Exams

      You may take an exam a day early (at no penalty!) if you have a conflict

with the exam schedule.  No exams may be made up if missed, so please make sure you do not miss an exam.  Again, if you miss an exam, the grade for that exam is a ZERO.  Remember that you may take any exam early, if you have a conflict.  If you do need to take an early exam, please notify me in writing at least one week prior to when you need to take the exam.  Please make sure you note the testing center hours (located at the end of the syllabus) so that you do not miss an exam.

 

The computation portion of each exam is given during class time in our classroom.  That means you have only class time to complete the exam.  If you arrive late to class, your exam time will still stop at the end of class time.  Please make sure you arrive on time for class, especially during exam times.

 

    C.  Homework

                     Four homework assignments will be given during the semester, with one homework assignment covering the material for each of the four exams.  Each homework assignment is to be done individually. While I encourage students to work together to figure out concepts, your homework should be a reflection of your work and not someone else’s.  See class outline for due dates of homework assignments.  All homework is due no later than the start of class on the due date.  Late assignments will be deducted 10% a day, and assignments will not be accepted if they are more than 2 days late.  A portion of each homework assignment will be turned in using WebCT.  Each homework assignment is worth 5% of your final grade.  That means that all homework assignments combined equal one exam grade!  You will have assignments in addition to the homework assignments, but they will not be graded.  These may be done with other members of the class or with the professor’s help.

                    

    D.  Computer Lab

             Four computer lab sessions are scheduled during the semester.  We will be

                     working with the computers much more than during these four sessions, but

                     you are required to attend these four specific computer lab sessions.  You are

                     responsible for the information presented within these sessions, and your

                     homework assignments and exams will reflect the material learned.  Please

                     make sure to attend!  Your computer labs will be turned in with the homework

                     assignments and included as part of your homework grade.

 

      E.  Grading Scale

                     The course grade will be assigned according to the scale indicated below.  Traditional rounding will be used (0.5 or higher rounded up).

 

                     Numeric Score                                      Letter Grade

                          90-100                                                      A

                          87-89                                                        B+

                          83-86                                                        B

                          80-82                                                        B-

                          77-79                                                        C+

                          73-76                                                        C

                          70-72                                                        C-

                          67-69                                                        D+

                          60-66                                                        D

                          Below 60                                                  E

 

IV.  Course Outline

 

             Sections                Assignment                             Date              

                      1 – 11 Text                               

                      1-6 SPSS                       Computer Lab #1                               September 3rd   

                                                            Homework #1                                     September 10th

 

                                                            Exam #1 (concept)                          Sept 17 - 19th

                                                            Exam #1 (computation)                   Sept 17th (in class)

                                   

                     12 – 26 Text                             

                     7, 9 & 10 SPSS              Computer Lab #2                               September 29th  

                                                            Homework #2                                     October 8th

                                                            Exam #2 (concept)                             Oct 15th – 17th

                                                            Exam #2 (computation)                     Oct 15th (in class)

                                   

                     27 – 40 Text                            

                     8, 11 – 13 SPSS              Computer Lab #3                               October 29th

                                                            Homework #3                                     November 5th

 

                                                            Exam #3 (concept)                           Nov 12th – 14th

                                                            Exam #3 (computation)                    Nov 12th  (in class)

                                                                       

                     41 – 50 Text

                      14 – 16 SPSS                 Computer Lab #4                               November 19th  

                                                            Homework #4                                    November 24th  

 

                                                            Exam #4 (concept)                            Nov 24th – Dec 1st   

                                                            Exam #4 (computation)                    Dec 1st (in class)

 

                                                            FINAL EXAM                                     Dec 4th – 8th (4 PM)

 

V.  Additional Information

 

    A.  Attendance

                     Attendance is not required for this class (except for computer labs and

                     exams).  However, anything discussed in class may be included on an exam,

                     even if that information is not found in the textbook or study guide.

                     Thus, it is in everyone’s best interest to attend, and it is STRONGLY

                     suggested!!!  We will also be doing class activities that involve group work, so class participation is very important to your success in this class.

 

                     **IF you miss class, there are two things you can do to get the material you

                     missed.  You may get the outline from the lecture materials online, and/or you

                     may get notes from someone in class.  PLEASE do not come to my office and

                     ask me I will re-teach the material that you missed.  I will be more than happy

                     to answer your questions, but you have to put in the time first!

 

    B.  Class Contact

                     Often it is necessary to miss a part or all of class.  When that happens, or

                     when you have questions that you cannot answer on your own, it is helpful to

                     have the name and number of another student in class that you can call.  

                     Please use the space below to write down the name and phone number of at

                     least one student in this class who you can call:

\    _________________________________________________________________

      C.  Class Courtesy

Please be courteous of others when coming in late to class.  The same applies if you have to leave early.  Also, please refrain from talking during class lecture. Eating and drinking in class is allowed, as long as it is not disruptive to the learning environment.  Please make sure all cell phones are turned off during class.  Any disruptive behavior will be addressed immediately, and if the behavior does not cease, you will be asked to leave class.  The use of cell phones for calls or text messaging may result in your removal from class.

 

      D.  Grade Appeals

                     If, after receiving an exam or homework assignment back during class, you

                     think a mistake has been made in the grading of your exam (or homework),

                     please do not ask about this during class.  Write down on a sheet of paper

                     what your questions are, provide reference to notes in class or specific pages

                     from the book, and turn in these questions to the instructor at the end of the

                     class period.  You will receive a response, and any grade adjustment necessary,

                     by the next class period.  You may also do this with homework assignments. 

                     THIS IS THE ONLY WAY that your concerns will be addressed.  ONLY

                     written questions THAT YOU SUPPORT will be evaluated for grade changes. 

                     If you do not understand why you missed something, please come see me

                     during my office hours or make an appointment to go over your assignment.

 

E. Plagiarism/Cheating

      Whenever you try to pass off someone’s work that is not your own, that

         is cheating.  If you cheat on a homework assignment or exam, you will

         receive a grade of E (Failing) for the course.   Please refer to the following

         web site for a complete listing of infringements (including plagiarism) that

         constitute cheating.  http://documents.weber.edu/ppm/6-22.htm.  Please

refer to the PLAGIARISM link on the web site (HOW TO AVOID PLAGIARISM) for specifics about plagiarism.  You are responsible for knowing what plagiarism is, and any plagiarism (even unintentional) will result in a grade of E for the semester.

 

F.    Students with Disabilities

    Any student requiring accommodations or services due to a disability

      must contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) in room

      181 of the Student Service Center.  SSD can also arrange to provide

      course materials (including this syllabus) in alternative formats if

                  necessary.

 

 

     G.  Students’ Rights and Responsibilities

          Please refer to the following web site for a complete listing of student rights

                 and responsibilities.  http://documents.weber.edu/ppm/6-22.htm

 

      H.  Testing Center Hours

             All concept exams will be taken in the Social Sciences Testing Center, located in the basement of the Social Sciences building (SS 036).  In order to take an exam, you must show up on the correct date at the appropriate times (listed below) with a form of picture ID.  You will not be allowed to take the exam without a picture ID or if you show up after hours.  Please see the Social Science Testing Center hours listed below.

http://departments.weber.edu/testingcenter/hours.htm

 

 

Monday – Thursday

            7:30 AM – 9:00 PM (Must show up by 8:00 PM to take an exam)

Friday            

            7:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Must show up by 4:30 PM to take an exam)

Saturday       

            9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Must show up by 3:30 PM to take an exam)

 

 

VI.  Course Objectives

 

 

            After successfully completing this course, the student should be able to:

 

        A.  Compute measures of variability, measures of central tendency, the product-moment correlation coefficient, a linear regression equation, and inferential statistics from an appropriate set of scores.

 

            B.  Identify and define statistical terms and concepts

 

        C.  State the advantages and disadvantages of the different measures of variability and central tendency.

 

        D.  Given the data set, select the appropriate statistical test, use hypothesis testing to determine statistical significance and reach appropriate conclusions.

 

        E.  Use the SPSS statistical package or a calculator and a formula to solve z-test, t-test, ANOVA, correlation, regression, and descriptive statistic problems.

 

VII.  Grade Record

                        Please keep a record of the grades you receive on each assignment.  This will make sure you are aware of your academic progress in this class.

                                   

                        Homework #1                      ______

               Exam #1                            ______

               Homework #2                      ______

             Exam #2                       ______                        

                        Homework #3                      ______

               Exam #3                            ______

               Homework #4                      ______             

               Exam #4                           ______                    

               Final Exam                          ______

                        Each exam is worth 20% of your final grade, and all homework assignments combined are worth 20% of your final grade (5% each). 

 

**The course syllabus provides a general plan for the course; deviations may be necessary.  By continuing in the course after receiving the syllabus, you are consenting to the regulations set forth by the syllabus.