GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS
COURSE INFORMATION
Course: Statistics 1053-12 – Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences
Semester: Fall 2012 (08/28/12 - 12/07/2012)
Lectures: TR 3:45-5 pm
Location: 1957 E 213
INSTRUCTOR
Name: John Ferguson
Campus Address: 2140 Pennsylvania Avenue, room 302
Phone: 202 9949025
E-mail: jferguson@gwu.edu
Office hours: 5:10-6:10pm Tues, Thursday (Please call me when you are at the door)
TAs
Siyu Qing
Office hours
W 1-3:00pm
Mohammed
Chowdhury
W 10:3012:30pm
location
Room B03, 2140
Pennsylvania Avenue
Room B01, 2140
Pennsylvania Avenue
Email
qingsy04@gwmail.gwu.edu
Phone
202-994-3731
mohammed@gwu.edu
202-994-9645
Section
Time and location
TA
CRN: 33373
W 9:35-10:25am, 2020 K St., NW, 10
Mohammed Chowdhury
CRN: 33374
W 12:45-1:35pm, Phillips Hall – PHIL 109
Mohammed Chowdhury
CRN: 33375
W: 2:20-3:10pm, 1776 G St, NW – 105
Mohammed Chowdhury
CRN: 33376
W: 11:10-12:00pm, 2020 K St., NW – 10
Siyu Qing
CRN: 33377
W:3:55-4:45pm, 2020 K St., NW - 12
Siyu Qing
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is an introductory class in the statistical sciences. Below is the summary of topics:
Numerical measures of central tendency and variability, frequency distributions &
graphical presentations, probability, random variables, sampling distributions, estimation,
confidence intervals, testing of hypotheses, linear regression and correlation (subject to
time considerations).
Please note that Stat 1051, 1053, 6104, and 1111 are related in their subject matter,
and credit for only one of them may be applied toward a degree.
TEXT(S): Statistics, by J. T. McClave and T. Sincich, 2011,
Pearson-Prentice Hall. Contact GW Bookstore http://www.gwu.bkstr.com for further
details.
Course Homepage: http://blackboard.gwu.edu. Please check this page frequently. I will
post important information (homework, quizzes, projects, lecture notes, etc.).
Homework: A homework assignment will be posted on Blackboard every Thursday,
starting from Thursday 30th of August. These problems are intended to help reinforce
the material from the lecture. Students will have one week to complete the assignment
and completed homework should be returned at the end of class the following Thursday
(unless otherwise stated). Please write the CRN for your discussion section and your
TA’s name on your homework. The homeworks will be graded and will count towards
your final grade. The lowest homework score will be dropped.
Quizzes: There will be a quiz during lab and it will be based on material covered in the
lectures. The quizzes will be graded and will count towards the final grade. The lowest
quiz score will be dropped. Note that the first quiz (and recitation section) will be on
Wednesday 5th September.
Project: An SPSS project will be assigned during the course of the semester. The project
will involve analyzing data using SPSS and interpreting the results. The project will be
graded. You may work in teams of up to three people.
Exams: The exams will be closed book; however, you will be allowed a one-page
handwritten note sheet for the midterm (a single sheet of A4 paper with writing on oneside only), and a two-page handwritten note sheet for the final (a single sheet of A4 paper
with writing on both sides). No make-up exams are allowed. The exam dates are listed
below:
Midterm Exam: Tuesday, October 16th, 2012 (tentative)
Final Exam: Tuesday, December 18th, 2012, 3-5pm (tentative)
GWU Final exam schedule http://my.gwu.edu/mod/exam_schedules
GWU Academic calendar http://www.gwu.edu/ac.cfm
GRADING
Quizzes and Homework: 30%
SPSS Project: 5%
Midterm Exam: 30%
Final Exam: 35%
Incomplete grades may be given only under the following three circumstances i) there is
a valid reason (Something beyond their control for which they cannot complete the
course), ii) The student must be passing the course iii) The student must sign a contract.
An incomplete becomes an F if the student does not finish the required course work
within the allowed time.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
As a result of completing this course, you will be able to:
 understand and utilize appropriate graphical statistical tools to describe simple
datasets
 apply laws of probability
 construct and interpret large-sample and small-sample confidence intervals
 evaluate evidence for and against hypotheses using statistical tests
CLASS POLICIES
Attendance policy: You are expected to attend every lecture. You are responsible for
the material covered and the handouts distributed during both the lecture and the lab
hours.
Late work: will not be accepted.
Make-Up Policy: No make-up exams are allowed, except under extraordinary
circumstances such as a death in the family or a medical emergency. In such cases, I will
require written proof of the cause of the absence. If you will miss a graded assignment
due to a religious holiday, you must notify me during the first week of classes.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
I personally support the GW Code of Academic Integrity. It states: “Academic dishonesty
is defined as cheating of any kind, including misrepresenting one's own work, taking
credit for the work of others without crediting them and without appropriate
authorization, and the fabrication of information.” For the remainder of the code, see:
http://www.gwu.edu/~ntegrity/code.html
SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES (DSS)
Any student who may need an accommodation based on the potential impact of a
disability should contact the Disability Support Services office at 202-994-8250 in the
Marvin Center, Suite 242, to establish eligibility and to coordinate reasonable
accommodations. For additional information please refer to: http://gwired.gwu.edu/dss/
UNIVERSITY COUNSELING CENTER (UCC) 202-994-5300
The University Counseling Center (UCC) offers 24/7 assistance and referral to
address students' personal, social, career, and study skills problems. Services for students
include: crisis and emergency mental health consultations, confidential assessment,
counseling services (individual and small group), and referrals
http://gwired.gwu.edu/counsel/CounselingServices/AcademicSupportServices
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
In the case of an emergency, if at all possible, the class should shelter in place. If the
building that the class is in is affected, follow the evacuation procedures for the building.
After evacuation, seek shelter at a predetermined rendezvous location.
To Report an Emergency or Suspicious Activity
Call the University Police Department at 202-994-6111 (Foggy Bottom)
Shelter in Place
Although it is unlikely that we will ever need to shelter in place, it is helpful to know
what to do just in case. No matter where you are, the basic steps of shelter in place will
generally remain the same.
If you are inside, stay where you are unless the building you are in is affected. If it is
affected, you should evacuate. If you are outdoors, proceed into the closest building or
follow instructions from emergency personnel on the scene.
Locate an interior room to shelter inside. If possible, it should be above ground level and
have the fewest number of windows. If sheltering in a room with windows, move away
from the windows. If there is a large group of people inside a particular building, several
rooms maybe necessary.
Shut and lock all windows (tighter seal) and close exterior doors.
Turn off air conditioners, heaters, and fans. Close vents to ventilation systems as you are
able. (University staff will turn off ventilation as quickly as possible).
Make a list of the people with you and ask someone to call the list in to UPD so they
know where you are sheltering. If only students are present, one of the students should
call in the list.
Await further instructions. If possible, visit Campus Advisories for incident updates
(http://CampusAdvisories.gwu.edu) or call the GW Information Line 202-994-5050.
Make yourself comfortable and look after one other. You will get word as soon as it is
safe to come out.
Alert DC
Alert DC provides free notification by e-mail or text message during an emergency. Visit
Campus Advisories for a link and instructions on how to sign up for alerts pertaining to
GW.
Additional emergency information may be obtained by visiting the Campus Advisories
webpage (http://CampusAdvisories.gwu.edu) or calling the GW Information Line at 202994-5050.