Eugene Lang College – Spring 2015
Statistics with SPSS
LMTH2030A: Syllabus
Faculty: Ellen L. Halpern, Ph.D.
Email: halperne@newschool.edu1
Phone: 908-361-3733
Class Time: Mondays and Wednesdays 11:55-1:35
Class Location: Parsons East 25 E13th 302
Office Hours: before/after class by arrangement
Office Hours Location: by arrangement
Course Description (from Catalog): “This course is an introduction to statistics using the
software package SPSS. Emphasis is on exploring quantitative data and applying
concepts to a range of situations. Topics include descriptive statistics, basic probability,
normal distributions, correlation, linear regression, and hypothesis tests. The course
combines lectures, discussions, and computer assignments. During the semester,
students meet at a computer lab to learn specific software skills. Students are expected
to go to the lab on a regular basis to complete homework assignments and explore the
functionality of SPSS. This course fulfills the second math requirement for the IS major, is a
requirement for the ES and Psychology majors, and is taught Fall & Spring.”
Course Objectives: By the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:
1. Compute measures of central tendency and variability, create tables and graphs, and
interpret descriptive statistics in publications.
2. Utilize concepts of probability to distinguish events likely to occur by chance from those
more likely to be a result of an experimental manipulation or non-chance relationship
among variables.
3. Select appropriate inferential techniques such as t-tests, correlation, regression, ANOVA,
and non-parametric techniques such as Chi-Square, perform calculations to obtain
statistical findings, and interpret these findings.
4. Describe how social scientists and researchers in a wide range of disciplines interpret
statistical results to evaluate their research hypotheses.
5. Use SPSS to prepare tables and graphs of data, and to perform the statistical analyses
required for hypothesis testing.
Required Text: Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, 2nd edition. Gregory J. Privitera. Sage
Publishing, 2015.
Feel free to obtain an online copy. You may want to bring your book to use with SPSS in lab,
but online copies often allow you to print individual pages as needed. You will not be required
to bring your text to class.
Recommended: Student Study Guide with SPSS Workbook for Statistics for the Behavioral
Sciences, 2nd edition. This study guide provides additional material for learning and practice. I
would suggest seeing how the first few weeks go. If you feel that you need more practice
material, then you could purchase it then.
1
If you email me, and don’t receive a response within 24 hours, please text me. There have been several occasions
where I haven’t received a couple of New School email messages for days or weeks after it’s been sent. This
doesn’t affect all the messages, just a few.
LMTH2030A Sp15 - Syllabus
Required Calculator: A simple calculator with a square root function is required. Look closely
before you buy. Some little calculators have the square root key and some do not. You may not
use your phone or other smart device as a calculator for exams. You may not share calculators
during exams.
Communication: Please make sure you can access our course site in Canvas. Course materials
and communications about the course will appear there. Each unit’s materials can be found
under Modules. Additional links to assignments, discussions, syllabus, and files are provided to
make accessing exactly the item you want more efficient. Announcements automatically go to
your email as well as appearing in Canvas.
Make sure that the email address you have associated with Canvas is working. You are
responsible for ensuring that you get all messages.
If you have registered, but do not have access to Canvas, please let me know right away!
Requirements: Grades will be based on worksheets, lab assignments (SPSS), small projects,
and tests. Details for each are provided in a separate handout. Attendance and class participation
are required, Lecture PowerPoints will be posted in advance of the respective class. Please print
your own copy if you would like to have it during class. Tests will occupy the entire class
session. You may not share calculators or other materials during tests. No computers,
cellphones, pdas, or other technological resources may be used for tests.
% of Final Grade
20% (4% each)
15% (5% each)
10% (5% each)
10%
45% (15% each)
5 Worksheets
3 Labs (SPSS)
Small Projects 1 & 2
Final Project
Tests (4, lowest 1 or missed 1 dropped)
Assignments and lectures will be posted on Blackboard at the beginning of each unit. Begin
working on assignments early. Due dates are shown in the schedule below. Make sure that your
work is legible, neatly prepared, and complete – problems typically have multiple parts. Check
your work. If you need help, schedule time to meet with me.
Students often study together and ask each other for help. If you give or get help on an
assignment, make sure that you complete the work independently. Except as noted in the final
project below, assignments are to be completed individually.
Many people don’t like statistics, or anything mathematical. Some people have difficulty with
these topics. If this is you, don’t expect to spend less time on your stats reading and written
assignments than you would on topics you like better or are more comfortable with. Plan to
spend time reading and testing yourself each week, before and after each class if possible. If you
come to class prepared, having done the reading, and ask questions about what is not clear, you
will find that each lesson builds logically on the previous one. Keep up with the work; contact
me for help ANYTIME in the term. You can do well in this class!
Page 2 of 6
LMTH2030A Sp15 - Syllabus
Attendance: (See page 4 for details regarding the attendance policy.)
 Attendance is required.
 If you must be late or miss class, email or text me ahead of time, if possible.
 If you are ill and will be out for more than one class, contact me and your dept.
Late and/or missed assignments: Hand in whatever you’ve finished when it is due. Falling
behind in statistics is an invitation to disaster. Need help? PLEASE PLEASE contact me – text,
email, before or after class. Don’t wait! (include your name)
Cell Phones, iPods, etc.: . Do not send or receive texts or email in class2. Ditto for other
devices. You are not invisible – it is distracting to me. What is even more distressing to me is
the knowledge that the time you spend not participating in class detracts from your confidence
with the material and success in the course.
Lab Classes: Several times during the term we will have class in one of the computer labs
where you will learn how to use SPSS to analyze data for a variety of designs typical of research.
Attendance is required as it is for classroom sessions.
Exams: You may not use your cell phone or any device other than your own calculator for
exams. You may not use your phone or other device as a calculator during an exam. You may
not share calculators during an exam.
Worksheets: Some worksheets involve hand calculations; all assignments involve interpretation
of statistical results, sometimes from SPSS output or other tables and graphs.
Small Projects (2) and Final Project: You will select research topics of interest to you. All
projects will involve applying the statistical procedures you have learned. For the first project,
you will use data you collect or made-up data; for the second project, students will find
secondary data online. Data analysis will be performed using SPSS. Projects 1 and 2 will involve
summary reports submitted online. Project 3, which may be completed individually or in pairs,
includes an in-class PowerPoint presentation. Students may select different topics for each
project, or expand upon an earlier topic for each subsequent project.
Course Grades:
94-100: A
91-93: A88-90: B+
82-87: B
76-78: C+
70-75: C
79-81: B67-69: C-
Last Day to drop a class: Friday Feb. 13, 2015
Last Day to withdraw with a grade of W: Friday, March 13, 2015
2
If you are required to be on-call, please provide me with written proof.
Page 3 of 6
LMTH2030A Sp15 - Syllabus
Class Schedule3
Dates
1/26, 8
2/2
2/4
2/9
2/11
2/16
2/18
2/23
2/25
3/2
3/4, 9
3/11
3/16
3/18
3/23, 25
3/30
4/1
4/6
4/8, 13
4/15
4/20, 22
4/27
4/29
5/4
5/6
5/11
5/13, 18
3
Topic
UNIT 1 – Descriptive Statistics
Syllabus; Research Overview, Variables, Measurement, Math Review
Frequency Tables/Graphs, Distributions; Small Project 1 Discussion
Project 1 Topic and Data Plan Due – Submit online. Measures of
Central Tendency and Variability
Worksheet 1 Due.
LAB 1: Descriptive Statistics: Lab 1 Due at end of class
Brief review; Test 1 (Chapters 1 - 4)
UNIT 2 – Foundations of Inferential Statistics
Probability, Probability tables, Expected Value, Binomial Distributions
Project 1 Due – online. z scores and the normal distribution; Sampling
distributions
PRESIDENTS DAY – NO CLASS
Worksheet 2 Due. Sampling distributions; Review
Test 2 (Chapters 5 - 7)
UNIT 3 – Making inferences about One or Two means
Review Test 1. Project 2 Discussion – Secondary Data. Hypothesis
Testing, Effect Size, Power;
Project 2 Topic Due; z Tests and Single Sample t Tests
Two Independent Samples t Test; Related Samples t Test
Lab 2: Hypothesis Testing using t Tests
SPRING BREAK – NO CLASSES
Lab 2 Due. Estimation and Confidence Intervals
Small Project 2 Results Due Online; Worksheet 3 Due; Review
Test 3 (Chapters 8-11)
Project 3 Discussion; Oneway Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
Oneway within Subject ANOVA, Factorial ANOVA (parts)
Correlation & Regression
Worksheet 4 Due. Lab 3: ANOVA, Correlation, Regression.
Review for Test 4.
Lab 3 Due; Test 4 (chapters 12-16)
Final Project Lab – prepare to show me your analyses
Nonparametric Statistics
Final Project Presentations!
Subject to change – topics may be added, lengthened, shortened or eliminated.
Page 4 of 6
Chapter
1
2
3-4
5
6-7
7
8-9
9-10
11
12
13-14
15-16
17-18
LMTH2030A Sp15 - Syllabus
Lang’s Policy on Attendance and Lateness
Absences may justify some grade reduction and a total of four absences mandate a reduction of one letter
grade for the course. More than four absences mandate a failing grade for the course, unless there are
extenuating circumstances, such as the following:
o an extended illness requiring hospitalization or visit to a physician (with documentation)
o a family emergency, e.g. serious illness (with written explanation)
o observance of a religious holiday
The attendance and lateness policies are enforced as of the first day of classes for all registered students.
If registered during the first week of the add/drop period, the student is responsible for any missed
assignments and coursework.
For significant lateness, the instructor may consider the tardiness as an absence for the day. Students
failing a course due to attendance should consult with an academic advisor to discuss options. Divisional
and/or departmental/program policies serve as minimal guidelines, but policies may contain additional
elements determined by the faculty member.”
Disability Services.
http://www.newschool.edu/student-services/student-disability-services/
“In keeping with the university’s policy of providing equal access for students with disabilities, any
student with a disability who needs academic accommodations is welcome to meet with me privately. All
conversations will be kept confidential. Students requesting any accommodations will also need to contact
Student Disability Service (SDS). SDS will conduct an intake and, if appropriate, the Director will
provide an academic accommodation notification letter for you to bring to me. At that point, I will review
the letter with you and discuss these accommodations in relation to this course.”
Tutoring: The New School offers free academic support for Statistics. Students can book appointments
online at the following website.
http://www.newschool.edu/learning-center/math-support/
University Policy on Academic Honesty
Academic Honesty and Integrity
Compromising your academic integrity may lead to serious consequences, including (but not limited to)
one or more of the following: failure of the assignment, failure of the course, academic warning,
disciplinary probation, suspension from the university, or dismissal from the university.
University Policy
The New School views “academic honesty and integrity” as the duty of every member of an academic
community to claim authorship for his or her own work and only for that work, and to recognize the
contributions of others accurately and completely. This obligation is fundamental to the integrity of
intellectual debate, and creative and academic pursuits. Academic honesty and integrity includes accurate
use of quotations, as well as appropriate and explicit citation of sources in instances of paraphrasing and
describing ideas, or reporting on research findings or any aspect of the work of others (including that of
faculty members and other students).
Academic dishonesty results from infractions of this “accurate use”. The standards of academic honesty
and integrity, and citation of sources, apply to all forms of academic work, including submissions of
drafts of final papers or projects. All members of the University community are expected to conduct
themselves in accord with the standards of academic honesty and integrity.
Page 5 of 6
LMTH2030A Sp15 - Syllabus
Students are responsible for understanding the University’s policy on academic honesty and integrity and
must make use of proper citations of sources for writing papers, creating, presenting, and performing their
work, taking examinations, and doing research. It is the responsibility of students to learn the procedures
specific to their discipline for correctly and appropriately differentiating their own work from that of
others. Individual divisions/programs may require their students to sign an Academic Integrity Statement
declaring that they understand and agree to comply with this policy.
The New School recognizes that the different nature of work across the schools of the University may
require different procedures for citing sources and referring to the work of others. Particular academic
procedures, however, are based in universal principles valid in all schools of The New School and
institutions of higher education in general. This policy is not intended to interfere with the exercise of
academic freedom and artistic expression.
Definitions and Examples of Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:
 cheating on examinations, either by copying another student’s work or by utilizing unauthorized
materials
 using work of others as one’s own original work and submitting such work to the university or to
scholarly journals, magazines, or similar publications
 submission of another students’ work obtained by theft or purchase as one’s own original work
 submission of work downloaded from paid or unpaid sources on the internet as one’s own
original work, or including the information in a submitted work without proper citation
 submitting the same work for more than one course without the knowledge and explicit approval
of all of the faculty members involved
 destruction or defacement of the work of others
 aiding or abetting any act of academic dishonesty
 any attempt to gain academic advantage by presenting misleading information, making deceptive
statements or falsifying documents, including documents related to internships
 engaging in other forms of academic misconduct that violate principles of integrity.
The full policy is provided in the syllabus section of our Canvas Site.
Page 6 of 6