EDMS 451: Introduction to Educational Statistics
Section 0101, 0201,0301 / Spring 2013 Syllabus
Instructor: Xiulin Mao
Office: Cole Field House 0108P
Email: maoxiulin@gmail.com
Office Hours: Tuesday 3:15-4:15
AIM Screenname:
Mailbox:
Course website: https://elms.umd.edu (use your Testudo login to access the Blackboard
Academic Suite)
Detailed course description: This course is designed to teach introductory concepts in statistics as
applied in the social sciences, particularly education. The course will provide a presentation of commonly
used statistical procedures. Students will learn both conceptual and technical aspects of location and
dispersion measures, regression and correlation, hypothesis testing, z-tests, t-tests and analysis of
contingency tables. Proficiency with algebra is helpful; however, no mathematics beyond algebra will be
taught in this course. Please note that despite the introductory course title, this class carries a 400-level
course number. Students are expected to perform the quantity and quality of work consistent with an
advanced undergraduate course.
COURSE MATERIALS
Required Texts:
EDMS 451 Spring 2013 course pack, available at the University Book Store.
Recommended Texts:
King, B.M. & Minimum, E.W. Statistical Reasoning in the Behavioral Sciences. 5th edition, John
Wiley & Sons, Inc.: New York, 2008. ISBN: 9780470134870.
SPSS: This course will use Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software.
Students are expected to have access to SPSS and be able to print SPSS output to complete homework
assignments. There are two recommended options:
1. The student version of SPSS can be purchased from the University Bookstore and installed on the
student’s own computer. SPSS software has built-in safeguards to prevent unauthorized copying
of software.
2. The student can use SPSS in the computer lab in Benjamin room 0230 or other OIT labs on
campus that have SPSS. Note: the Benjamin computer lab is only open Monday through Friday
and is NOT open on weekends or holidays. A print account (available from OIT) is necessary to
print in the computer labs. You must be able to print the results of your SPSS work.
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Note that this program is expensive and you are not required to purchase it for this course. However, also
note the hours of the computer labs that do have the program and be sure to plan ahead in order to
complete the homework assignments on time.
Calculator: You will need calculator that is capable of calculating square roots for the homework
assignments, and midterm and final exams. Students are encouraged to bring calculators to class each day.
Instructors will not provide calculators on quiz and exam days so be sure to bring a calculator on these
days!
COURSE RESOURCES
Against All Odds online Statistics Videos: This is an excellent resource to help you review and
understand the material. Please watch the videos prior to and following the relevant course lectures. To
access the videos, search online for “statistics videos” or go to
http://www.learner.org/resources/series65.html
Math Skills Test: Students are encouraged to review text Appendix A (Review of Basic Mathematics)
and take the math skill pre-test on pages 423-424.
Practice Problem Sets: Students are strongly encouraged to obtain the text workbook which is available
at the ETS checkout desk in the basement of the Benjamin Building under the name of Dr. George
Macready for EDMS 451. This material is available for 3 hour checkout for students.
Tutor Exercises: This is a Package of Computer Exercises made available as a study aid for practicing
problems after the course lecture to which they correspond. They are not to be turned in and they are not a
required activity but they are highly recommended as preparation for exams and quizzes. To obtain the
EDMS Tutorial Package, go to
Windows Version: http://home.comcast.net/~korsa/edmsWin.exe
Note that the Mac Version of this package is no longer available
Study Groups: Peers can often be an excellent resource when reviewing concepts, especially with
complex material. Students will work in teams for class exercises to facilitate understanding of the
material presented in class. Students are encouraged to review course material weekly with their peers and
to study for quizzes and exams in teams to facilitate understanding.
ATTENDANCE/ PARTICIPATION
Attendance and in-class participation are ongoing requirements and an integral part of the work
of the course. Your participation is crucial to your success in this course. Students are responsible for all
course material presented in class as well as the material provided in the course packet and the sections of
the textbook specified in the course syllabus. Some material presented in class may not be in the textbook,
and vice versa. Note the times for the course quizzes and tests; do not miss these class assessments as they
can not be made up. Lastly, students should bring a calculator to each class to facilitate their participation
in that day’s activities.
University policy excuses the absences of students for illness, religious observances, participation in
University activities at the request of university authorities and compelling circumstances beyond the
student's control. Students who miss a single class for a medical reason are not required to provide
medical documentation, but students who are absent more than once are responsible for providing
various forms of documentation, depending on the nature of the absence. Students who are absence
due to medical reasons should inform the instructors that they are not coming to class due to
medical reason in advance.
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Total percentage for class attendance/participation is 4%. Instructors will keep record of the
attendance. Students who are not present when the attendance is recorded will be regarded absent.
For example, if students attend half of the lectures, they will only get 2 out of 4 in this regard.
COURSE GRADES
Your assignments, quizzes, exams, and class participation will be combined according to the percentages
shown on the left. Final grades will then be assigned based on the scale to the right.
Factors Effecting Course Grade
Quizzes
Assignments
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Attendance/Participation
16%
20%
30%
30%
4%
Grade Categories
92% and above
90%-91.99%
88%-89.99%
82% - 87.99%
80%-81.99%
77%-79.99%
72% - 76.99%
70%-71.99%
55% - 69.99%
54.99% and below
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD
F
Grades will not be changed unless a computational error has been made. No grades will be dropped.
There will be no extra credit. Grades of “Incomplete” will not be given unless the student can demonstrate
that near catastrophic events have led to a cause of extreme hardship.
INFORMATION ON ASSESSMENTS
Assignments: There will be five (5) assignments, each designed to give students a chance to apply and
practice the concepts learned in class. The possible points for each assignment vary based on the amount
of material covered. Assignments submitted via email will not be accepted. Students may discuss the
assignments with other students in the class but you must each turn in your own assignment using only
your own computations and explanations written in your own words. You are asked to sign the honor
pledge on each assignment.
Policy on Late Assignments:
Due dates for each assignment are listed on the course schedule. Assignments must be submitted
on time for full credit. Assignments should be completed prior to the due dates indicated in the
course syllabus and handed in at the beginning of class on those specified dates. If Assignments
#1, 2, 3, or 4 are handed in late, they will be penalized 20% of the total credit if handed in
by 4 p.m. of the day following the due date. Assignments that are handed in later than the
time specified above will not be graded and will not receive any credit. Time extensions for
assignments will not be given except in cases of approved medical or family emergencies where
accompanying written documentation is provided by the student. This documentation must be
submitted to the instructor no later than one week following the due date for the assignment.
Please note that no late work will be accepted for Assignment #5.
Quizzes: Four (4) quizzes will be given throughout the semester. Students are expected to work on the
quizzes independently. Students may use one 8.5*11 ONE-sided page of notes during quizzes. Each
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quiz will cover the material presented from the lessons since the last quiz or exam. Students should bring
a calculator to each quiz. Students may not share calculators. Cell Phone calculators are not permitted.
Two types of quizzes will be given. Two quizzes will be “short” and have approximately 7 items. These
quizzes will cover less material and will each be worth 2% of your final grade. The other two quizzes will
be “long” quizzes and will have approximately 14 items. These quizzes will cover more material and will
each be worth 6% of your final grade.
You will have up to 10 minutes to complete short quiz and up to 20 minutes to complete long quiz. You
are will be asked to sign the an honor pledge on each quiz indicating that you have not given or received
any unauthorized information related to the quiz.
Exams: The midterm and final exams will cover the topics presented in the first and the second half of
the semester, respectively. However, due to the cumulative nature of the course content, key concepts
from earlier topics will be used in later parts of the course and thus may appear on both exams. Students
may use one 8.5 x 11 TWO-sided page of notes. Students should bring a calculator to the exams.
Calculators may not be shared. Cell phone calculators are not permitted. Exams are to be completed
completely independently by students; anyone found either facilitating or copying others work will be
subject to the maximum university penalties. Tables and scratch paper will be provided by the instructor
as needed. You will be asked to sign an honor pledge on each exam indicating that you have not given or
received any unauthorized information related to the exam.
Note: You must complete the midterm and final exam. The midterm exam date is indicated on the course
schedule in this course pack. The final exam date will be determined by the University during the
semester and this information will be communicated to you by your instructor. You must be present, on
time, for both exams. Exceptions will only be made under strict adherence of University policy. Except in
the case of emergencies, documentation for accommodation must be presented within the first two weeks
of class. If an emergency occurs, causing a student to be late to an exam or to miss an exam,
documentation must also be presented no later than immediately after the exam.
Missed Quizzes or Exams: Due to the need for equity and classroom management, we must guard the
security of all tests. No make-up quizzes or examinations will be given without written documentation of
a medical emergency or other excused University absence. Refer to this statement of University policy
from Chapter 4 of the Undergraduate Catalog:
"An instructor is not under obligation to offer a substitute assignment or to give a student a make-up
assessment unless the failure to perform was due to an excused absence, that is, due to illness (of the
student or a dependent), religious observance (where the nature of the observance prevents the student from
being present during the class period), participation in university activities at the request of university
authorities, or compelling circumstances beyond the student's control. Students claiming excused absence
must apply in writing and furnish documentary support for their assertion that absence resulted from one of
these causes."
Should you provide an approved reason for missing class on the day of a quiz or exam ahead of time, you
must take the quiz or exam prior to the date that it will be given in class. Alternative dates to take
assessments will not be given once the assessment is given in class.
In the event that a medical emergency or other excused University absence occurs suddenly and is not
known to you ahead of time, please consult with your instructor as soon as possible to discuss your
options.
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ACCOMMODATIONS AND INTEGRITY
Religious Accommodation: It is the policy of UMP that students not be penalized in any way for
participation in religious observances. Students shall be allowed, whenever practicable, to make up
academic assignments that are missed due to such absences. It is the student's responsibility to contact the
instructor for each course in which work is missed, and make arrangements for make-up work or
examinations. Students are responsible for information and material missed on the day(s) of absence. The
student is responsible for providing written notification to the professor within the first two weeks of the
semester. The notification must identify the religious holiday(s) and the date(s). The student shall hand
the written notification to the instructor personally to avoid problems with collecting mail from mailboxes
or e-mail. The process should be confidential. Since the final exam for this course will not yet be
scheduled within the first two weeks of class, please include any religious observances during final exam
week in your written request.
Work missed for any excused absence (i.e. due to religious observance, illness, etc.) must be made up
within a timely manner. Any work missed should be made up within two weeks of the student’s return to
class, unless otherwise specified by the instructor.
Academic Accommodations: If you need academic accommodation by virtue of a documented
disability, please contact the course instructor as soon as possible to discuss your needs. Students with
documented needs for an accommodation must meet the same achievement standards required of all other
students, although the exact way in which achievement is demonstrated may be altered. All requests for
academic accommodations should be made during the first two weeks of the semester. Further
information concerning accommodations for disabilities can be obtained from the Disability Support
Service (314-7682).
Academic Integrity: The University of Maryland, College Park has a nationally recognized Code of
Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council. This Code sets standards for academic
integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students. As a student you are responsible for
upholding these standards for this course. It is very important for you to be aware of the consequences of
cheating, fabrication, facilitation, and plagiarism. For more information on the Code of Academic
Integrity or the Student Honor Council, please visit http://www.shc.umd.edu. To further exhibit your
commitment to academic integrity, remember to sign the Honor Pledge on all examinations and
assignments: "I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this
examination (assignment)." Any student caught with unauthorized materials, or cheating in any other
manner during quizzes and exams will receive a grade of XF on his or her transcript, and the case will be
referred to the UM Honor Council.
Course Evaluation:
Your participation in the evaluation of courses through CourseEvalUM is a responsibility you hold as a
student member of our academic community. Your feedback is confidential and important to the
improvement of teaching and learning at the University as well as to the tenure and promotion process.
CourseEvalUM will be open for you to complete your evaluations for spring semester courses between
Tuesday, April 27th and Wednesday, May 12th. You can go directly to the website
(www.courseevalum.umd.edu) to complete your evaluations starting April 27th. By completing all of
your evaluations each semester, you will have the privilege of accessing the summary reports for
thousands of courses online at Testudo.
For the course schedule on the next two pages, please make sure you are looking at the right section.
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Course Schedule
Section 0101( Xiulin Mao 2:00pm-3:15pm)
Tuesdays & Thursdays
Date
Topics
Readings
Quiz/HW
1
1/24
Introduction / Basic Concepts
Ch.1
2
1/29
Introduction / Basic Concepts
Ch.1
3
1/31
Displaying Data/Frequency Tables
2.1-2.6
4
2/5
Percentiles and Percentile Ranks
Ch. 3
5
2/7
Measures of Central Tendency
2.7-2.9
6
2/12
Measures of Variability
Ch. 4, 5.1-5.8
HW1Due
7
2/14
Linear Transformation
4.8, 5.9-5.12
Quiz1 (short)
8
2/19
Probability
10.1-10.3, 10.6, 10.7
9
2/21
Correlation
Ch. 7
10
2/26
Correlation/SLR
Ch. 7, 8, 9
11
2/28
Simple Linear Regression Day 1
Ch. 8, 9
12
13
3/5
Simple Linear Regression Day 2
Ch. 8, 9
HW2Due
3/7
Normal Distribution/ Z-score
Ch. 6
Quiz2 (long)
14
3/12
Midterm Review
15
3/14
Midterm: Through Normal Dist. / Z-score
16
3/17-24
Spring Break
17
3/26
Sampling Distributions
11.3-11.7
18
3/28
Introduction to Hypothesis Testing
Ch. 12
19
4/2
One-Sample Z Test
Ch. 12
20
4/4
One-Sample T Test
Ch. 12
21
4/9
Interpreting Hypothesis Testing Results
Ch. 13
HW3Due
22
4/11
Confidence Intervals
Ch. 17
Quiz3 (short)
23
4/16
Independent T Test
Ch. 14
24
4/18
Dependent T Test
Ch. 15
25
4/23
Chi-square Goodness-of-Fit Test
18.1-18.7
HW4Due
26
4/25
Chi-square Test of Independence
18.8-18.13
Quiz4 (long)
27
4/27-5/2
AERA
28
5/7
Review of Hypothesis Testing
29
5/9
Final Review/ Catch up
HW5 Due
Final Exam (Check Testudo for schedule)
Note: It is possible that we will not follow this schedule perfectly. Any changes to due dates will be made
with a reasonable amount of advanced notice.
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