Data Analysis and Presentation (Sociology 307)
Classroom: 112 SWKT
Class time: TTh 1:35 – 2:50 p.m.
Office hours: TTh 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Instructors: Brayden King
2045 JFSB, 422-1184
John Hoffmann
2039 JFSB, 422-9298
Course Description
Sociologists study the social world by examining phenomena with a particular theoretical lens
and using data to assess the validity of those theories. This course will teach you some of the
basic skills that sociologists use to conduct this research. We break the course up into three basic
components: (1) how to ask the right questions and turn them into research projects; (2) how to
get the data you need to answer your questions; and (3) how to manage, present, and visualize
data to tell an interesting sociological story. Specifically, you will learn how to communicate
research findings through writing, through tables, and visually through graphs and figures.
This course will help you meet the following learning outcomes of the sociology major:
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Graduates will be conversant with the substantive areas of sociology and the variety of
theories and research methods associated with these substantive areas.
Graduates will be able to critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of current
sociological theories and research relating to substantive areas.
Graduates are able to estimate and interpret univariate and bivariate statistics and
generalize their meaning to the appropriate population.
Graduates know how to code and interpret qualitative data or how to code and prepare
quantitative data for statistical analysis.
Graduates have the necessary skills to analyze data and summarize findings including
o basic familiarity with spreadsheet programs and statistical packages,
o the analytic process of comparing across categories,
o how to chart historical trends, and
o how to summarize findings for written or oral presentation.
Graduates are able to conduct electronic bibliographic searches and determine the
scientific quality of the research they find.
For more on the major’s learning outcomes, see the following website: https://learningoutcomes.
byu.edu /wiki/index.php/Sociology_BS.
Prerequisites: SOC 111 or 112; SOC 300, and SOC 306 or STAT 221.
Course Readings
There are three required books for this course. These books are available at the bookstore or you
may purchase them online. Other readings will be available on the course blackboard website.
Booth, Wayne C., Colomb, Gregory G., and Williams, Joseph M. 2003. The Craft of Research,
2nd ed. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
Carter, Gregg Lee. 2004. Empirical Approaches to Sociology, 4th ed. Boston, MA: Pearson
Jacoby, William G. 1997. Statistical Graphics for Univariate and Bivariate Data. Thousand
Oaks, CA: Sage.
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Grading Summary
We base your grade on performance in three components: weekly assignments, class presentation,
and exams. The components make up the following percentage of your final grade.
Weekly assignments – 25%
Class presentation – 25%
Exams – 50%
Weekly assignments
Each week – beginning in week 2 of the course – you will be given an assignment that will be
turned in during class on the following Tuesday or Thursday (to be announced in class). The
assignments will vary in their content and length. Some will take more time and effort than
others, but you are expected to finish them all and turn them in a timely fashion. Failure to turn
them in on the assigned day will lead to a failing grade for that week’s assignment. We design the
assignments to be interesting and engaging. They will correspond with the material covered in the
class and reading assignments during the week. For that reason, it is important you attend class
and do all of your reading assignments. We will drop the lowest scored assignment before making
the final computation of your grade. Each assignment is worth up to 10 points; the total number
of points you receive will be weighted to comprise 25% of your final grade.
Class presentation
At the end of the semester each student will present a research project to the class using the skills
learned to address a particular research question, find evidence with data to answer the question,
and present the data visually. The purpose of this assignment is to allow you to be creative and
put your new skills to work. We will grade you on presentation format and content. So you not
only have to know what you’re talking about (e.g., ask a good question and use the right data to
address it), but your presentation also has to look good. In the presentation we also expect you to
be able to present your findings in the three ways we’ll focus on during class: (1) describe it in
words, (2) present data in a table, and (3) present data visually through graphs or figures. You
should also be able to visually describe your conceptual model. You should plan to discuss your
project with the instructors throughout the semester. An outline of your project is due on
November 8, 2007. We will not grade the outline, but it is in your best interest to turn it in so that
we may provide feedback and direction. The presentation is worth up to 100 points; the total
number of points you receive will be weighted to comprise 25% of your final grade.
Exams
There will be a mid-term exam and a final exam (each worth 100 points). The purpose of the
exams is to test the skills you’ve learned in class. They will be completed in the classroom
because you will use the computer to complete some of the test questions (e.g., you may be asked
to create a bivariate graph using data we provide). The questions should not surprise you, as long
as you complete the readings, attend class regularly, and do all of your weekly assignments. The
total number of points you receive on the exams will be weighted to comprise 50% of your final
grade.
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Class Rules and Etiquette
Academic integrity – Students are expected to observe the University’s Honor Code, which can
be found online at http://campuslife.byu.edu/HONORCODE/Honor_code.htm. Please pay special
attention to the sections on academic honesty and plagiarism. We have a no tolerance policy for
cheating or plagiarism.
Absences, tardiness, etc. – We expect that you will attend and arrive promptly to every class.
Please let us know beforehand if you must be absent or late for any classes. You must get our
permission before submitting a late assignment.
Full participation – Class discussions will be engaging and, at times, lively if everyone makes an
effort to do the readings and come prepared to participate. At the risk of sounding like an usher or
a flight attendant, please turn off your cell phones, iPods, and other electronic equipment during
class. Appropriate class participation will be considered when making final grades. Although we
realize it will be tempting to use the internet or check your email during class, we ask that you
refrain from doing so.
Respect for others – Sociology is an interesting field of research and is sure to generate
interesting discussion. Sometimes intense academic discussions will reveal differences in
opinion, which if handled inappropriately, can lead to hurt feelings, defensiveness, and/or
hostility. As eager learners we must try to help each other understand different perspectives in
productive ways. We hope that our class will be filled with interesting conversation and that each
of us will remember to treat others with respect, regardless of the differences we may have.
Moreover, because sociology is a field in social science, we should be willing to entertain the
evidence and accept the possibility that we are sometimes misinformed. Sociology is interesting
because it reveals that much of our “common sense” understandings of reality are in fact based on
misinformation. The best attitude for a student of sociology is one of skepticism and curiosity.
These two traits, combined with mutual respect, should facilitate a suitable learning environment.
Discrimination – Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination
against any participant in an educational program or activity that receives federal funds. The act is
intended to elimination sex discrimination in education. Title IX covers discrimination in
programs, admissions, activities, and student-to-student sexual harassment. BYU’s policy against
sexual harassment extends not only to employees of the university but to students as well. If you
encounter unlawful sexual harassment or gender based discrimination, please talk to your
professor; contact the Equal Employment Office, D-282 ASB, at 422-5895 or 367-5689 (24
hours); or contact the Honor Code Office (4440 WSC) at 422-2847.
Persons with disabilities – Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and
learning environment that accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have any
disability that may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the
University Accessibility Center, 1520 WSC (422-2767) (422-0436, TTY/TDD Direct Line).
Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified
documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with the student and instructor by the UAC
office. If you need assistance or if you think you have been unlawfully discriminated against on
the basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established grievance policy and
procedures. You should contact the Equal Employment Office at 422-5895, D-282 ASB.
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Topics List and Reading Assignments
Week 1 (Sep. 4 & 6): What is research?
Reading:
Booth et al., preface, prologue, chapter 2
Carter, chapters 1 & 3
Week 2 (Sep. 11 & 13): Topics and questions
Reading:
Booth et al., chapters 3 – 4
Carter, chapter 4
Week 3 (Sep. 18 & 20): Theory as a conceptual model
Reading:
Booth et al., chapters 7 – 9
Whetten, 2002 (available on course blackboard site)
Week 4 (Sep. 25 & 27): From questions to sources – use of secondary data
Reading:
Booth et al., chapters 5 – 6
Carter, chapter 19
Week 5 (Oct. 2 & 4): Gathering primary data
Reading:
Carter, chapters 11 & 18
Week 6 (Oct. 9 & 11): Data management and coding
Reading:
Carter, chapters 17
Week 7 (Oct. 16 & 18): Data management and coding, continued
Reading:
Carter, chapters 22
Week 8 (Oct. 23 & 25): Mid-term review and exam
Week 9 (Oct. 30 & Nov. 1): Principles of data presentation
Reading:
Booth et al., chapter 15
Carter, chapter 26
Jacoby, chapter 1
Week 10 (Nov. 6 & 8): Designing tables
Reading:
Carter, chapter 30
Outline of class presentation due (Nov. 8)
Week 11 (Nov. 13 & 15): Graphs and figures
Reading:
Jacoby, chapter 2
Week 12: Thanksgiving vacation
Week 13 (Nov. 27 & 29): Graphs and figures, continued
Reading:
Jacoby, chapter 3
Week 14 (Dec. 4 & 6): Group research design
Week 15 (Dec. 11 & 13): Class presentations
Final exam:
Thursday, December 20, 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.
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