PSYCHOLOGY 210: Introduction to Statistics
Dr. Pamela Schaefer
Spring 2016
Office: 218 Garland Hall
Phone: 229-4985
Email: abbyness@uwm.edu
Office hours: Monday 10-11:45
By appointment
TAs: Megan Kangiser (kangiser@uwm.edu)
Vanessa Ehlers (vlehlers@uwm.edu)
Kyle Jennette (jennette3@uwm.edu)
Required Course Materials:
Gravetter, F.J. & Wallnau, L.B. (2012). Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, 9th
ed. Wadsworth: Belmont, CA.
Mindtap Psychology e-access. Note that this e-study guide is bundled with the
loose leaf version of our textbook at the Panther Bookstore for a total cost of
about $90. A paper study guide will be on reserve at the library as well.
Schaefer, P. (2016) Statistics Lab Modules. Can be downloaded from the D2L
site as available. http://d2l.uwm.edu/
A calculator (memory function is option—make sure you know how to use it!).
Calculators are used for exams and quizzes. Statistical or scientific functions will
be useful and allowed.
NO CELL PHONE CALCULATORS ALLOWED
Optional Resources (for those wanting extra help):
The Cartoon Guide to Statistics by Gonick
Statistics Without Tears by Rowntree
Statistics for the Terrified by Kranzler & Moursund
Inferential Statistics for Dummies
Statistics for the Utterly Confused by Jaisingh
https//www.khanacademy.org (algebra help)
Free Tutoring available:
Supplemental Instructor: Bridgette Knecht (bmknecht@uwme.edu)
Tutoring and Academic Resource Center, Bolton 180, 229-2770.
Schedules are available for walk-in hours and appointments.
The Peer Mentoring Center, Bolton 192, 229-5385. By appt.
GER requirements: This course meets the UWM General Educational
Requirements as a quantitative level B course. Students in this course will
be able to construct hypotheses that represent quantitative information,
evaluate the validity of the hypotheses as appropriate to the data, analyze
data using appropriate statistical tests, interpret results by stating
conclusions, predictions, and inferences, and assess the reasonableness of
their conclusion. In addition, this course achieves the following Essential
Learning Outcomes of Critical Thinking (critically evaluate theories
explaining psychological research findings), Information Literacy
(understand the body of knowledge across the field of psychological
statistics), and Integrative Applied Learning (apply concepts to
experiences across the curriculum/major).
GER Assessment
To achieve these outcomes, which are closely related, students will read
their textbook which covers issues related to research design and statistical
analyses. Achievement of these outcomes will be measured, in part, by six
multiple choice quizzes, three multiple choice exams, and 10 homework
modules. The modules are designed to meet specific learning objectives.
Students will be able to construct hypotheses that represent quantitative
data, evaluate the validity of these hypotheses as they predict the outcome
of the analyses, complete data analyses, interpret the findings of the
analyses as they relate to the hypotheses, and understand the
reasonableness of their conclusions.
Course Description: The primary goal of this course is to gain an understanding of the
logic and application of basic laws of probability and statistical analyses. Students will
become familiar with hypothesis testing, and be able to apply appropriate statistics to
datasets. In addition, students will learn to become critical consumers of statistics in
psychological research. Students will learn to apply SPSS programs to analyze datasets.
COURSE WORKLOAD
This course requires that you are in lecture 2.5 hours/week. In addition, you will be in the
discussion/lab sections for 100 minutes/week. It is expected that you will need
approximately 2 hours of study time for every hour you are in class—at a minimum 8
hours/week of study time.
It is extremely important to keep up in this course because the material builds on
previous material. You are expected to READ THE ASSIGNED CHAPTERS before
lecture and DO THE PROBLEMS AT THE END OF EACH CHAPTER. The
answers for the odd-numbered questions are at the back of the textbook. These questions
will not be collected. They are to help you understand the concepts and processes of the
chapter. Students who keep up with the course will find it easier to learn new material
and will likely receive higher grades. MISSING LECTURE, LAB, OR MATERIAL WILL
AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO LEARN SUBSEQUENT MATERIAL. SUCCESS IN THIS
COURSE REQUIRES THAT YOU KEEP UP WITH THE WORK.
Laboratory/discussion Sections: You MUST be enrolled in a Laboratory AND
discussion section. ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY AND IS WORTH 50 POINTS
TOWARDS YOUR FINAL GRADE. You may arrange with your TA to attend a different
lab section for a given week if necessary. The discussions meet the first hour in a
classroom, and the second hour in BOL 293, a Social Sciences Computer Laboratory.
BRING YOUR TEXTBOOK, LAB MODULES, AND CALCULATOR TO EVERY LAB
MEETING. You will be responsible to complete the online homework and statistic lab
modules for lab. These modules help you use SPSS to solve a variety of statistical
problems.
Modules: There will be ten homework modules that teach how to use the statistical
program. These will be assigned throughout the semester and are due prior to the section
exam in which they are assigned. Each of the modules are equally weighted and worth 10
points for a total of 100 points. Points will be deducted for any late assignments. The
total points earned in lab are 150: attendance (50 points) and modules (100 points).
Quizzes: The purpose of the quizzes is to keep you abreast of the material rather than
trying to master all of the material before the test. In-lecture quizzes will be given to
assess your knowledge of the readings and assigned problems. Quizzes will be given in
class, and they are to be handed in to your TA before leaving the lecture hall. They will
be very similar to the type of questions you will see on your exams. Each quiz will cover
new material covered since the last quiz. Each of the quizzes will be worth 10 points.
The top 5 quiz scores will be entered into your final grade for 50 total quiz points.
THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES except for religious reasons. Missed
quizzes will be one of the dropped scores. Quiz dates in the syllabus are TENTATIVE and
dependent on how much is covered in lecture; therefore THE EXACT DATES WILL BE
ANNOUNCED IN CLASS.
Exams: There will be two examinations during the semester and a final exam. Each of
these three examinations will consist of multiple-choice questions and be worth 100
points each (300 points total). The exams will cover the basic material covered in lecture
and lab during that section. Note that because the material builds over the course, some
of the concepts will be cumulative.
Extra Credit:
A maximum of 3 extra credit points may be earned in this course. The points are added
to your final grade (i.e., the final percentage) and are primarily designed to permit you to
receive the next higher grade if you are near the borderline between two grades. You can
earn extra credit points by participating in a research study, earning 1 point for every hour
that you participate. If you do not wish to participate in research, you can earn 1.5 points
by completing a two-to-three page summary of a research article from a research
psychology journal. A full copy of the article must be attached to your summary. The
article must be about research in psychology— Letters to the editor, website information,
or comments on previously published articles are not acceptable. The summary must
point out the statistics that are used. A complete APA reference is required for credit.
Grading Procedure: Please note that class participation and attendance will affect
borderline grades. Grades are based on three exam scores (300 points), laboratory points
(150), and quiz points (50), for a total of 500 points. Final grades will be based on the
following distribution. Add your total points, divide by 500 and multiply by 100 to get
your final percentage. Extra credit is added to the final percentage.
Percentage
97-100
93-96
90-92
87-89
83-86
80-82
77-79
73-76
70-72
60-69
<60
Final Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD
F
Miscellaneous:
This syllabus is designed to present a general course outline and to communicate course policies and procedures. The
dates are tentative and subject to change or correction, although every effort will be made to keep this schedule.
Students are responsible for any information presented in a class meeting in which they are absent, including
changes of schedule.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES:
Information on university policies on academic misconduct, participation by students with disabilities,
accommodations for religious observances, complaint procedures, grade appeal procedures, and other standing policies
(e.g., sexual harassment, incompletes, drop deadlines) can be found on this web page:
http://www4.uwm.edu/secu/SyllabusLinks.pdf
ARRANGEMENTS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
If you have a documented disability and need special accommodations in order to meet any of the requirements of this
course, please contact me as soon as possible. I will need your VISA form, which you can obtain at the Student
Accessibility Center (Mitchell 112, phone 414-229-6287, http://www4uwm.edu/sac/).
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT:
In this course, we will strictly adhere to UWM’s policy regarding academic misconduct. UWM does not tolerate
academic misconduct, in any form. Cheating and plagiarism are examples of academic misconduct. Here is the
university’s definition: “an act in which a student seeks to claim credit for the work or efforts of another without
authorization or citation, uses unauthorized materials or fabricated data in any academic exercise, forges or falsifies
academic documents or records, intentionally impedes or damages the academic work of others, engages in conduct
aimed at making false representation of a student’s academic performance, or assists other students in any of these
acts.” Information about the procedures that are followed when a student is suspected of academic misconduct can be
found on this web page: http://www4.uwm.edu/Dept/AcadAff/policy/academicmisconduct.cfm.
LECTURE TOPICS
WEEK OF
TOPIC
READING
LAB
1/25
Introduction to Statistics
Frequency Distributions
Ch 1
Ch 2
MOD 1
Central Tendency
Variability
Ch 3
Ch 4
MOD2
z-scores: Location of
Scores and Standardized
Distributions
Ch 5
2/15
Probability
Ch 6
2/22
Probability cont.
2/1
2/8
MOD3
MOD4
Exam 1 (Ch 1-6) Wednesday February 24
2/29
Probability and Samples
Ch 7
3/7
Introduction to Hypothesis
Testing
Ch 8
MOD 5
Spring Break 3/14-3/20
3/21
Introduction to the t Statistic
Ch 9
MOD6
3/28
t-test for 2 Independent Samples
t-test for Two Related Samples
Ch 10
Ch 11
MOD7
Exam 2 (Ch 7-11) Monday April 4
4/6
Analysis of Variance
Ch 12
4/11
Repeated Measures ANOVA
Ch 13
MOD8
4/18
Two-Factor ANOVA
Ch 14
MOD 9
4/25
Correlation
Ch 15
5/2
Chi Square
Ch 17
5/9
Chi Square (cont)
Final Exam: Wednesday May 18 12:30-2:30
MOD 10
SONA INSTRUCTIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS
Spring 20135
Research Participation for Extra Credit
Opportunities for research participation for extra credit can be found on the Psychology
Department SONA website – see the top link on the department Sona webpage:
http://www4.uwm.edu/letsci/psychology/Sona_research_participation/.
If you participated in previous semesters you may already have an account. If your account no
longer exists or you need to establish a new account, follow these steps:
1. Log onto the SONA website: http://uwmilwaukee.sona-systems.com/
2. In the bottom left-hand corner click on “Request an Account Here” under the
“New Participant” heading.
3. Enter all of the requested information – MAKE SURE YOUR EMAIL
ADDRESS IS CORRECT. Your username should be your epanther email
address, not your student ID number.
4. When you receive your password via email, log into your account and
change your password.
The first time you log in you will be asked to do a brief prescreening survey (approximately 20
questions). Researchers may invite you to participate in their studies based on your responses to
the prescreen questions. You may choose whether or not you wish to participate in these studies.
Once you have logged on to the website you will see a list of studies. If a study interests you
and “Time slots available” is stated to the left of the study title, you can view available sessions
and sign up for those sessions by clicking on the study title and then on View Time Slots at the
bottom of the study description page. You will receive a reminder email prior to your session.
It is very important to remember that when you sign up for a session you are making a
commitment to show up for that appointment. If you need to cancel you may do so via the
SONA website prior to the session. Studies vary in how much advance notice they need of
cancellation (most are 24 hours) – please take note of this when you sign up. If you do not show
up for a session you will lose the opportunity to earn one percent of extra credit. If you fail
to show for a second session you will again lose the opportunity to earn a second
percentage of extra credit and you will no longer have the opportunity to sign up for
research studies to earn extra credit for your course(s). You can make up the extra credit
points you lost by completing an alternative extra credit option (see Alternative to Research
Participation study on Sona). The alternative option involves reading an empirical paper related to
the course for which you wish to receive extra credit and writing a summary of the article.
If you have questions please contact the SONA Subject Pool Coordinator, Dr. Christine
Larson, larsoncl@uwm.edu.