I. Course Number and Title:
PSY 301 Psychological Statistics 3 semester hours
II. Prerequisites:
Sophomore standing; PSY 201 or comparable course.
III. Course Description:
This is an introductory level course which focuses on central tendency and
variability; the normal curve and transformations; probability; hypothesis
testing to include one-way analysis of variance and factorial designs. Computerassisted approaches (SPSS for Windows) to data processing and analysis are
emphasized.
IV. Rationale:
Today’s students involved in the behavioral sciences need to have an in-depth
understanding of the main concepts of statistics in order: (a) to analyze data
gathered using research procedures and (b) to read material from professional
journals with some degree of confidence and comprehension. Gravetter and
Wallnau (2013) stated that “as long as the behavioral sciences are founded in
science, knowledge of statistics will be necessary” (p. xv).
V. Course Objectives:
As a result of taking this course, the student should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Discuss and apply the basic terms and concepts of statistics.
Differentiate between descriptive and inferential statistics.
Compute measures of central tendency and variability.
Analyze and explain the relationship between probability and statistics.
Describe the general characteristics of the normal curve and determine when
it is appropriate to use the normal curve when analyzing data.
Discuss, with understanding, the steps required in hypothesis testing.
Formulate directional and non-directional hypotheses as they relate to specific
research questions.
For a given set of data, determine the appropriate statistical test to be used
(e.g. t-test, ANOVA, correlation), apply it, and evaluate the results.
Synthesize research questions requiring one-way ANOVA and two-way
ANOVA applications.
Compute a Pearson correlation coefficient for given sets of data and explain
the significance of the analysis.
Explain the process of making predictions using linear regression techniques
and compute predicted values.
12. Explain the difference between parametric tests and nonparametric tests.
13. Demonstrate an ability to read, with understanding, journal articles that feature
statistical procedures.
14. Use SPSS for Windows to analyze data and interpret the results.
VI. Academic Integrity:
The Mississippi College Undergraduate Catalog (on-line) states
that students are expected to be scrupulously honest. Details on the University’s
rules and penalties for cheating and plagiarism may be found in the
Undergraduate Catalog. See the Mississippi College Tomahawk
(www.mc.edu/publications/tomahawk) and the Mississippi College Policy 2.19
(visit Mississippi College web site at
http://www.mc.edu/publications/policies/2.19.html).
VII. Course Topics:
The major topics to be covered in PSY 301 are:
1. Introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics
2. Frequency distributions
3. Central tendency
4. Variability
5. z-scores
6. Probability
7. Samples and distributions of sample means
8. Introduction to hypothesis testing
9. Hypothesis tests with independent samples
10. Hypothesis tests with related samples
11. One-way analysis of variance
12. Two-way analysis of variance
13. Correlation
14. Regression
VIII. Instructional Methods:
Instructional methods for PSY 301 will include:
Lecture, class Q & A, and individual work with a focus on computation and data
analysis using SPSS for Windows.
IX. Assignments:
A. Homework problems will be assigned for most topics discussed in class.
The homework assignments will include manual computation and computerassisted work. Each assignment will be graded on a 0 to 10 point scale.
Students are expected to spend some time outside of class in the computer lab.
The homework assignments are due at the beginning of the next class period
after they have been assigned by the instructor. The combined grades of the
homework assignments are worth the equivalent of one test grade. It is
important that students keep current on their homework assignments. The
homework grades may be used as formative assessments to identify areas of
strengths and weaknesses.
B. Three tests will be administered during the semester. The testing dates are
indicated in the Course Calendar section. The course content will be divided
into three basic sections. Each test will cover one of these sections. The tests
will include multiple choice questions, manual computations, and/or
computer-assisted data analysis. Each test will be composed of a closed book
section and an open book section.
X. Evaluation:
The summative evaluation for this course will include a combination of
homework and test grades. Remember: Each homework assignment counts as a
mini test (10 points). The following scale will be used to determine final
grades.
A
B
C
D
F
93%
85%
77%
70%
- 100%
- 92%
- 84%
- 76%
< 69%
XI. Additional Course Information:
A. Attendance Policy:
Class attendance is an essential part of your education at Mississippi College.
The Undergraduate Catalog (On-line) provides guidelines for tardies and
absences. Each student should familiarize himself/herself with the institution’s
policy on attendance.
B. Special Accommodations:
In order for a student to receive disability accommodations under
Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act, he or she must
schedule an individual meeting with the Director of Student Counseling
Services immediately upon recognition of their disability (if their
disability is known they must come in before the semester begins or
make an appointment immediately upon receipt of their syllabi for
the new semester). The student must bring with them written
documentation from a medical physician and/or licensed clinician that
verifies their disability. If the student has received prior
accommodations, they must bring written documentation of those
accommodations (example Individualized Education Plan from the
school system). Documentation must be current (within 3 years).
The student must meet with SCS face-to face and also attend two (2)
additional follow up meetings (one mid semester before or after
midterm examinations and the last one at the end of the semester).
Please note that the student may also schedule additional meetings as
needed for support through SCS as they work with their professor
throughout the semester. Note: Students must come in each
semester to complete their Individualized Accommodation Plan
(example: MC student completes fall semester IAP plan and even if
student is a continuing student for the spring semester they must
come in again to complete their spring semester IAP plan).
Student Counseling Services is located in Alumni Hall Room 400. You
may reach them by phone at 601-925-7790.
C. Early Alert System
Mississippi College has adopted the practice of finding students early in the
semester who may be exhibiting behaviors that could ultimately have a
negative impact on their academic progress. These behaviors are often called
“red flag” behaviors and include, but are not limited to, excessive absences,
poor test grades, and lack of class participation or evidence of nonengagement. Identifying these behaviors early gives the instructor the
opportunity to raise the “red flag” on behalf of a particular student so that the
student can take the appropriate action to redirect his/her progress. The
system alerts the student, the student’s advisor, and the Office of Student
Success.
These messages are intended to help a student recognize an area of concern
and to encourage him/her to make some choices to improve the situation.
When a student receives an Early Alert message, the student should quickly
make an appointment to talk with his/her professor about the situation. Also,
students can make full use of the Office of Student Success to set academic
goals and connect to campus resources.
D. Class Communications:
Office Telephone: 601.925.3844
Office: Physical Plant Building
Home Telephone: 601.856.6675
E-Mail: twilliams@mc.edu
XII. Instructional Materials and Bibliography:
A. Required Textbooks:
Gravetter, F. J., & Wallnau, L. B. (2013). Statistics for the behavioral
sciences (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
B. Bibliography:
Aron, A. , Aron, E. N. , & Coups, E. J. (2006). Statistics for psychology
( 4th ed.). Upper saddle River, NJ: Pearson / Prentice Hall.
Cronk, B. C. (2004). How to use SPSS (3rd ed.). Glendale, CA: Pyrczak.
Freund, J. E. , & Perles, B. M. ( 2007 ). Modern elementary statistics
(12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson / Prentice Hall.
Thorndike, R. M. , & Dinnel, D. L. ( 2001). Basic statistics for the
behavioral sciences. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill / Prentice Hall.
Wilson, J. H. (2005). Essential statistics. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson / Prentice Hall.
XIII. Course Calendar: (For M-W 1:30 to 2:45 / Spring 2014)
Session
Date
Topics
1
01/13/14
Introduction / Syllabus / Course Overview
Chapter 1 – General Statistical Terms and Concepts
Chapter 2 – Frequency Distributions
2
01/15/14
No Class / Review Chapters 1 and 2 independently
3
4
01/20/14
01/22/14
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Chapter 3 – Measures of Central Tendency
5
6
01/27/14
01/29/14
Chapter 4 – Measures of Variability
Chapter 4 – Measures of Variability
7
8
02/03/14
02/05/14
Chapter 5 – z – Scores / Transformation of Data
Chapter 5 – Other Standardized Scores
Chapter 6 – Normal Distribution and Unit Normal
Table
9
02/10/14
10
02/12/14
Chapter 6 – Unit Normal Table, Proportion,
Percentage, and Probability
Chapter 7 – Samples and Sampling Distributions
11
02/17/14
12
02/19/14
13
02/24/14
14
02/26/14
Chapter 8 – Steps in Hypothesis Testing
Single Sample Mean Test / z-score
Chapter 8 – Single Sample Mean Test
15
16
03/03/14
03/05/14
Chapter 9 – Single Sample Mean Test / t Statistic
Chapter 9 – Single Sample Mean Test / SPSS
17
19
03/10/14
03/12/14
Spring Break
Spring Break
20
21
03/17/14
03/19/14
Chapter 10 – Independent Samples t Test
Chapter 10 – Independent Samples t Test
22
23
03/24/14
03/26/14
Chapter 10 – Independent Samples t Test / SPSS
Test 2 – Chapters 8 - 10
24
25
03/31/14
04/02/14
Chapter 11 – Related Samples t Test
Chapter 11 – Related Samples t Test / SPSS
Chapter 7 – Sample Means and the Unit Normal
Table
Test 1 / Chapters 1 - 7
26
27
04/07/14
04/09/14
Chapter 12 – Analysis of Variance
Chapter 12 – Analysis of Variance
28
29
04/14/14
04/16/14
Chapter 12 – Analysis of Variance / SPSS
Chapter 15 – Linear Correlation
30
31
04/21/14
04/23/14
Easter Holiday
Chapter 15 – Linear Correlation / SPSS
32
33
04/28/14
04/30/14
Chapter 16 – Linear Regression
Chapter 16 – Linear Regression / SPSS
34
05/05/14
Test 3 Chapters 11-12, 15-16 (12:00 – 3:00 p.m.)
XIII. Course Calendar: (For T - R 1:30 to 2:45 / Spring 2014)
Session
Date
Topics
1
01/14/14
Introduction / Syllabus / Course Overview
Chapter 1 – General Statistical Terms and Concepts
Chapter 2 – Frequency Distributions
2
01/16/14
No Class / Review Chapters 1 and 2 independently
3
4
01/21/14
01/23/14
No Class / Review Chapters 1 and 2 independently
Chapter 3 – Measures of Central Tendency
5
6
01/28/14
01/30/14
Chapter 4 – Measures of Variability
Chapter 4 – Measures of Variability
7
8
02/04/14
02/06/14
Chapter 5 – z – Scores / Transformation of Data
Chapter 5 – Other Standardized Scores
Chapter 6 – Normal Distribution and Unit Normal
Table
9
02/11/14
10
02/13/14
Chapter 6 – Unit Normal Table, Proportion,
Percentage, and Probability
Chapter 7 – Samples and Sampling Distributions
11
02/18/14
12
02/20/14
13
02/25/14
14
02/27/14
Chapter 8 – Steps in Hypothesis Testing
Single Sample Mean Test / z-score
Chapter 8 – Single Sample Mean Test
15
16
03/04/14
03/06/14
Chapter 9 – Single Sample Mean Test / t Statistic
Chapter 9 – Single Sample Mean Test / SPSS
17
19
03/11/14
03/13/14
Spring Break
Spring Break
20
21
03/18/14
03/20/14
Chapter 10 – Independent Samples t Test
Chapter 10 – Independent Samples t Test
22
23
03/25/14
03/27/14
Chapter 10 – Independent Samples t Test / SPSS
Test 2 – Chapters 8 - 10
24
25
04/01/14
04/03/14
Chapter 11 – Related Samples t Test
Chapter 11 – Related Samples t Test / SPSS
Chapter 7 – Sample Means and the Unit Normal
Table
Test 1 / Chapters 1 - 7
26
27
04/08/14
04/10/14
Chapter 12 – Analysis of Variance
Chapter 12 – Analysis of Variance
28
29
04/15/14
04/17/14
Chapter 12 – Analysis of Variance / SPSS
Chapter 15 – Linear Correlation
30
31
04/22/14
04/24/14
Chapter 15 – Linear Correlation / SPSS
Chapter 16 – Linear Regression
32
04/29/14
Chapter 16 – Linear Regression / SPSS
33
05/06/14
Test 3 Chapters 11-12, 15-16 (12:00 – 3:00 p.m.)