SOCI 3352.002, T&Th 2:00-3:20pm, PKH105
Professor: Dr. Linda Rouse (443 UH)
Office hrs.: T,Th 12:30-1:30 and 3:30-4:30 or by appointment
Phone: (817) 272-2661
Email: lrouse@uta.edu
Fall 2011
SOCIAL STATISTICS
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Statistical literacy is required for all undergraduate majors in the
social sciences. This course will familiarize students with basic concepts and applications of
descriptive statistics, probability, and inferential statistics.
Related Courses, as listed or equivalent, are helpful though not required:
Math 1302. College Algebra
Math 1308. Elementary Statistical Analysis
SOCI 3462. Research Methods (formerly SOCI 3305)
To complete this course successfully you need to enter with basic skills in abstract reasoning
and arithmetic operations. It will be your responsibility to make up deficiencies in preparation
if you stay in the course. In addition, you will need to allocate sufficient hours weekly for
class preparation. The following approaches are recommended:
a. independent study (6-9 hours/wk)
b. keep up with material presented and see the instructor regularly with
specific questions
c. discuss material with statistics teaching assistant
d. find a study partner and/or form study groups
e. reduce your course and work load
f. get a tutor familiar with the material covered in this particular course
REQUIRED READING: Available from Bird’s Copy Center (at the corner of East and
South streets, near the post office.) Bring with you to class.
Lecture notes: Understanding Social Statistics -- Parts 1-4.
OPTIONAL: Any basic text such as Elementary Statistics in Social Research: The Essentials,
by Jack Levin and James Alan Fox. Available through UTA Bookstore.
REQUIRED MATERIALS: approved calculator for exams; non-programmable, with basic
arithmetic functions only; no substitutes permitted. (Optional: index cards.)
STAT “LAB”: Study groups are encouraged; e.g., weekly sessions to review concepts and
to work problems can be held in the lounge in University Hall.
EXAMS: For timing of exams, see the accompanying outline of topics. The first exam
covers descriptive statistics, the second probability theory, and the third inferential statistics.
There will also be a comprehensive final (over all material covered in course).
Students are responsible for staying informed about possible changes in test dates. Bring
882 green scantron sheets, #2 pencils, and calculator to class on test days.
In taking exams, you are expected to comply with the University’s policy for academic
honesty, outlined in the Code of Student Conduct and Discipline (at http://www.uta.edu).
For example, copying from other students or using notes of any kind during exams without
instructor approval is unacceptable. See the UTA Website for description of relevant
disciplinary procedures.
Scores are provided to students, in class, the week following each exam. See the instructor
outside of class to go over your individual test, or if you have any additional questions about
course content. Keep in mind, this is a required upper division course with expectation that
students will be able to demonstrate mastery of essential skills for social science and related
majors in keeping with national standards. Typically, test scores will not improve without
assistance or substantial change in study habits.
Make-up policy: In cases of exams missed with reasonable and documented cause the
instructor must be notified and arrangements made for a make-up exam within two days,
otherwise zero points will be assigned for that exam grade.
[UTA policy is to provide alternate sites for exams rather than cancellation in the event of
a bomb threat, in addition to tracing and prosecuting responsible parties.]
DISABILITY: Students who need accommodation based on disability will please inform
the instructor before the first exam. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires
“reasonable accommodation” to ensure equal opportunity for students with disabilities,
facilitated at UTA by the Office for Student Disabilities located at 102 University Hall.
GRADES:* Final grades will be assigned according to total points earned on exams out of
total possible points, e.g.:
100 points
Exam 1
100
Exam 2
100
Exam 3
300
Final – see UTA final exam schedule on-line
Tues., Dec.13th 2-4:30 p.m.
------
Total 600 points
A=
B=
C=
D=
540 pts.
480
420
360
* See also section on class participation.
DROP DATE: The last day to drop this term is Friday, November 4th. Students who are
not attending but fail to officially withdraw from the course will receive a final grade of F.
ATTENDANCE: Since topics in the course build on familiarity with previously covered
material, consistent attendance is particularly important in this course. Points will be lost
for excessive absence. Attendance will be officially recorded by means of a sign-up sheet.
If you are having unexpected problems with attendance and are worried about the effect on
your grade, see the instructor. Note that having another student sign in for you, signing the
attendance sheet then leaving class, or coming at the end of class simply to sign are actions
demonstrating lack of academic integrity and subject to penalty.
CLASS PARTICIPATION: will be considered in final grading, and can result in a raised
or lowered final letter grade. Class participation includes staying current with material,
working assigned problems, asking questions, avoiding excessive absence, and conducting
oneself according to UTA guidelines for student rights and responsibilities (posted at http://
www.uta.edu).
Students attending class are expected to be in class on time for the full period. Lateness in
arrival and departure before the end of class are distracting to the instructor and to other
students. If you cannot attend for the full class period, absent yourself, get notes from other
students, and see the instructor outside of class if you have questions.
Regarding class conduct, please take very seriously UTA guidelines for “classroom etiquette:”
“The University expects that students will conduct themselves in a courteous fashion in the
classroom. For example, students should arrive in class on time and stay for the duration of
the class period. While in class, students should turn off cell phones and pagers and refrain
from behaviors that will distract or disturb the instructor or other students” (see http://www.uta.
edu). Disruptive classroom behavior violates the rights of others, both students and faculty,
and interferes with the instructional activities and educational mission of the University.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES: UTA provides a variety of student support programs
and resources, including tutoring, learning centers, developmental education, advising and
mentoring, personal counseling, and federally funded programs, to help students connect with
the University and achieve individual success. For referrals contact the Maverick Resource
Hotline at 817 272-6107 or visit www.uta.edu/resources for more information.
FINAL COMMENT: Statistics is a challenging logical discipline that improves critical
thinking. With an appropriate investment of time and effort, this course will greatly enhance
your ability to assess arguments based on numbers. Social statistics are numbers with a
purpose. In the social sciences and related practice fields, statistics allow us to summarize
information, draw reasonable generalizations from available data, and examine relationships
among variables. In all these applications, statistics contribute to our understanding of
human society and social behavior.
SOCI 3352. Social Statistics
Prof. L. Rouse
COURSE OUTLINE
Topics
Assignments
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Descriptive Statistics
Introduction
Theory, Methods and Statistics
Measurement Issues
Review syllabus
Lecture notes, pp.1-3
Lecture notes, p.4
Proportions, Percents, Ratios & Rates
Reading Tables
Frequency distributions and graphs
Measures of Central Tendency
Measures of Dispersion
C.V. and the Normal Distribution
Z scores
Lecture notes, p.5
Lecture notes, pp.6-10
Lecture notes, pp.11-15
Lecture notes, pp.16-21
Lecture notes, pp.22-25
Lecture notes, pp.26-27
Lecture notes, pp.28-31
EXAM 1 Descriptive Statistics: Lecture notes, Glossary-1, Overview-1.
Review also in-class practice quiz.
Probability Theory
Introduction to Probability Theory
Lecture notes, pp.39-40
The Addition and Multiplication Rules
Lecture notes, pp.41-43
Calculating Probabilities
Lecture notes, pp.44
Conditional Probabilities in Bivariate Tables
Lecture notes, pp.45-49
Proportional Reduction of Errors (PRE) Lecture notes, pp.50-52
Permutations and Combinations
Lecture notes, pp.53-56
Tree Diagrams
Lecture notes, pp.57,58
The Binomial Distribution
Calculating Binomial Probabilities
Lecture notes, pp.59-61
Lecture notes, pp.62
EXAM 2 Probability Theory: Lecture notes; Glossary-2; Overview -2; sample solutions.
Review also in-class supplemental exercises.
Inferential Statistics
Introduction to Inferential Statistics
Lecture notes, pp.69-71
Inferential Binomial Applications
Lecture notes, pp.72,73
Steps in Hypothesis Testing
Lecture notes, pp.74,75
Single Sample Z tests (for Means and Proportions) Lecture notes, pp.76-83
Student’s t for Single Sample tests (means)
Lecture notes, pp.85,86
Comparing Z and t tests
Lecture notes, pp.87,88
Point Estimates and Confidence Intervals
Lecture notes, pp.89
EXAM 3 Inferential Statistics: Lecture notes; Glossary-3; Overview-3; sample solutions.
Review also in-class supplemental exercises.
Other Statistical Tests
Two-Sample Tests (for Means and Proportions)
Lecture notes, pp.107-112
Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
Lecture notes, pp.113,114
Chi-square
Lecture notes, pp.115-118
Correlation
Lecture notes, pp.119-121
Bivariate Regression
---------Conclusion
Lecture notes, pp.123,124
Lecture notes, p.129
The final includes the lecture notes on other statistical tests; Glossary-4, pp.125,126
and Overview-4, pp.127,128. Review also in-class practice exercises.
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL – 100 mc/ tf questions, 3 pts each.
Descriptive Statistics, Probability Theory, Inferential Statistics
(Single Sample and Two Sample Tests) and Other Statistical Tests
Understanding Social Statistics in its entirety (incl. glossaries and overviews).
You may bring one 8½ x 11 sheet with notes to final. Also, bring your scantron
sheet, pencils, and approved calculator.
BE PREPARED, take your time, and you will do fine!