PH 7023-Applied Quantitative Methods in Health Promotion
Carol J. Thurman, Ph.D.
Health Promotion & Behavior
Fall Semester 2014
CRN: 89163
Class Day/Time:
Tuesdays/4:30pm-7:00pm
Class Location:
College of Education, Room 116
Faculty Accessibility
Course Basics
Prerequisite(s):
Mertler, C. and Vannatta, R. (2010). Advanced and
Multivariate Statistical Models. Practical Application and
Interpretation. 5th Edition. Pyrczak Publishing, Glendale,
CA. ISBN 978-1-936523-09-2. Textbook can be found on
www.pyrczak.com
Required Course Materials
Instructor(s) of Record:
Pallant, J. (2013). SPSS Survival Manual: A step by step
guide to data analysis using SPSS. 5thEdition. Open
University Press, Thousand Oaks, CA. ISBN -13 978-0-33526258-8.
All other required readings will be posted on the
course’s Desire2Learn page.
Carol J. Thurman, Ph.D.
Office Location:
Phone Number(s):
678-613-1209
Email:
Cthurman@gsu.edu
Office Hours/Availability:
Before or after class by appointment
Additional Information: None.
I.
Course Description:
Applied Quantitative Methods in Health Promotion This course is designed for students who
wish to learn multivariate statistical techniques frequently used in health promotion & behavioral
science research. Students in the course will gain an understanding of how behavioral change
theories influence research study design, data collection, and analysis and interpretation of
research findings. Students will learn how to manage, analyze, interpret and present quantitative
data analysis using SPSS. Data management topics will include importing, screening, and
recoding data as well as discussing missing data. Analyses covered in the course will
range from univariate description to multiple regression analysis (linear and logistic). Students
will also learn to create tables and write up data analysis and results sections suitable for
scientific manuscripts.
II.
Course Objectives / Competency / Assessment of Student Learning:
This course is designed to support students in acquiring competence in the following five
areas, as indicated in the GSU School of Public Health Graduate Student Handbook (see
MPH Competencies).





BSTP 1: Apply advanced (multivariate) descriptive and inferential techniques used
with public health data.
BSTP 3: Distinguish among the different measurement scales and the implications
for selection of statistical methods to be used based on these distinctions.
BSTP 5: Describe different public health study designs, measures, and the
appropriate statistical analyses for answering particular research questions.
BSTP 6: Interpret results of statistical analyses found in public health studies.
BSTP 7: Develop written and oral presentations based on statistical analyses for both
public health professionals and educated lay audiences.
Course Objectives
Program Competency
Use analytic reasoning BSTP 3, 5
to address questions
in public health and
population-based
research.
Understand and apply
statistical procedures
needed for univariate
and multivariate data
analysis.
BSTP 1, 6
Assessment Method(s)
Weekly readings
Weekly quizzes
Midterm exam
Final exam
Final project
Weekly readings
Weekly quizzes
In-class SPSS use
Weekly labs
Midterm exam
Final exam
Final project
In-class SPSS use
Weekly labs
Final project
Prepare data to the
degree suitable for
analysis purposes.
BSTP 1
Describe and
interpret analysis
output and results
BSTP 1
In-class SPSS use
Weekly labs
Final project
Present results in a
fashion suitable for
academic publication
BSTP 7
Weekly labs
Final project
III.
Course Assignments and Requirements
Assignment
Total Points
10
Assignment 1
100
Labs
20
Quizzes
50
Exams
20
Final Project
IV.
Due Dates
9/02/2014
Throughout the semester
Weekly
10/14/2014
12/09/2014
Grading Policy
A:
94-100
A-:
90-93
B+:
87-89
B:
84-86
B-:
80-83
C+:
77-79
C:
74-76
C-:
70-73
D:
65-69
F:
64 and below
Unless otherwise noted, ALL assignments and tests submitted for a grade are expected to be
the result of your own effort and representative of your own work.
Lab exercises
Students will complete 10 lab assignments designed to apply skills demonstrated in the
classroom. Labs will be posted on Desire2Learn including the dataset required to complete
the lab. Look for information and materials about the labs under “Assignments” on
Desire2Learn. Please note that unless arrangements have been made with the instructor
beforehand, the labs are due on the date they appear on the syllabus. Labs received after
the assigned due date are considered late and will receive 5 points off. Labs without the
corresponding output and syntax will not receive full points. Each lab exercise will be worth
10 points and is due at the beginning of class on the date listed on the syllabus. I will not
accept assignments emailed to me unless prior arrangements have been made with me.
Exams
Two exams will be given, one at mid-semester and one at the end of the semester. Each will
be worth 25 points. Make-ups for missed exams will not be permitted.
Assignment 1/Quizzes
Assignment 1 and quizzes will be based on the assigned readings. The quizzes will consist of
one or two questions based on the readings. The primary purpose of the quizzes is to aid
student learning of the topics covered and to stimulate classroom discussion.
Final project
For the final project, students will generate, analyze and write the results of a hypothesis test
of the student’s choosing. Students will review the dataset and codebook supplied in order to
generate a hypothesis, including an independent, dependent and third variable. The final
project will be a 5-7 page double-spaced paper that includes: 1. Abstract; 2. Introduction; 3.
Brief Literature Review (i.e. Background and Significance) which includes the research
question(s); 4. Methods which include the study population, design, a measurement section ,
and statistical analyses section; 5. Results; 6. Discussion with study limitations; 7. Tables
and/or figures including a demographic table; and 8. References. Students must also submit
their SPSS output. Additional information on the final project will be posted to Desire2Learn
under “Assignments.”
Withdrawals
A student who withdraws at any time up to the mid-point of the quarter will be assigned a W
or WF depending upon whether he/she is doing satisfactory work at the time of withdrawal.
An average grade of D or F at the time of withdrawal will be assigned a grade of WF. After
the mid-point of the quarter, the Registrar's Office will assign an automatic WF to any
student who withdraws from the course without a hardship withdrawal. If a student
receives permission to withdraw under hardship, the instructor will assign a W or WF grade
depending upon the student's work up to the point of time that the student withdrew.
Incompletes: A student will be given the grade I only if nonacademic circumstances beyond
the student’s control prevent the student from completing a small segment of the course—
e.g., the final test. For a student to receive the grade of I, he/she must be doing satisfactory
work (an average grade of C or better) up to the point that he/she could not continue.
Arrangements must be made with instructor to remove the I within one quarter.
V.
Attendance and Class Participation Policy
Class is scheduled to begin at 16:30; you should plan to arrive at or before that time. It is
extremely disruptive for students to enter the classroom once class has already started.
Attendance at each class meeting is important and is highly related to overall success in the
course. Although class attendance is not graded, regular attendance and participation are to
your benefit. Important events take place during class time. In some cases, missing a class
may mean a grade of 0 on a quiz, test, or assignment. If you miss class, you are responsible
for obtaining information about the course content and any other class activities that took
place during the missed class from one of your classmates. Be aware of all make-up policies.
VI.
Late Assignments and Make-up Examination Policy
All assignments must be submitted on paper on or before the day and time they are due at
the beginning of the class. 10 points each day will be deducted from late and incomplete
assignments. Unless otherwise noted, it is expected that all assignments and tests
submitted for a grade be the product of your own efforts. Unless prior arrangements have
been made with me, no assignments should be emailed to me. You must turn them in
assignments the beginning of class.
VII.
Syllabus Deviation Policy
The course syllabus provides a general plan for the course; deviations may be necessary.
VIII.
Student Code of Conduct and Policy on Academic Honesty
All students at this University are expected to engage in academic pursuits on their won
with complete honesty and integrity. Any student found guilty of dishonesty in any phase of
academic work will be subject to disciplinary action. The complete Academic Honesty policy
is located in the GSU Graduate Catalog, Section 1350: http://enrollment.gsu.edu/catalogs/.
Students and faculty are expected to review and conform to the university’s policy on
academic honesty. Information on the Student Code of Conduct and related policies and
procedures are available at: http://codeofconduct.gsu.edu/.
Special attention should be paid to the sections on plagiarism and multiple submissions:
Plagiarism. Plagiarism is defined as, “appropriating and putting forth as one’s own
the ideas, language, or designs of another” (The Living Webster, 1975) – and it is
strictly forbidden. Written and oral presentations must be a student’s own work.
Students plagiarizing or cheating in any form will face disciplinary action which could
result in an “F” in this course and suspension or expulsion from the University.
Copying from written materials, presentations, websites, etc. without source
acknowledgement and referencing is plagiarism. Read it, appreciate it, learn from it,
and make sure you source it – and then reflect it with your own thoughts and words!
If you are uncertain about what constitutes plagiarism, please contact the instructor.
Multiple Submissions. It is a violation of academic honesty to submit substantial
portions of the same work for credit more than once without the explicit consent of
the faculty member(s) to whom the material is submitted for additional credit. In
cases in which there is a natural development of research or knowledge in a
sequence of courses, use of prior work may be desirable, even required; however,
the student is responsible for indicating in writing, as a part of such use, that the
current work submitted for credit is cumulative in nature.
IX.
Disability Accommodations Policy
Students who wish to request accommodation for a disability may do so by registering with
the GSU Office of Disability Services. Students may only be accommodated upon issuance
by the Office of Disability Services of a signed Accommodation Plan and are responsible for
providing a copy of that plan to instructors of all classes in which an accommodation is
sought. The Office of Disability Services is located in the GSU Student Center, Suite 230 and
online here: http://disability.gsu.edu/.
X.
Course Evaluations Statement
Your constructive assessment of this course plays an indispensable role in shaping
education at Georgia State. Upon completing this course, please take time to fill out the
online course evaluation.
XI.
Career Services
The School of Public Health provides career services & student leadership opportunities
(student clubs & organizations) to all current SPH students and alumni. SPH Career Services
can help students with resume writing, interviewing, job searching, internship development,
and professional networking. Students are invited to attend our career events and
workshops, and individualized career counseling appointments can be arranged. To see
what career panels, career fairs, and events are available this semester, please visit:
http://publichealth.gsu.edu/students/career-resources/. The SPH Career Services office is
co-located with the Office of Academic Assistance in room 640 at One Park Place.
XII.
Tentative course schedule, topics, and readings
Date
Topics
Readings to be
done prior to class
Lecture 1 08/28/14
Overview of Course,
M & V Ch. 1, & 2
Syllabus
Lecture 2
09/02/14
Preparing a
Codebook
Introduction to SPSS
Pallant Ch. 1- 5
Labs due
No lab due
Assignment 1 due
Lecture 3
09/09/14
Lecture 4
09/16/14
Managing data:
Data cleaning
Missing data
Lab 1
Manipulating the data
Counting responses
Computing and
recoding
Checking the
reliability of a scale;
Cronbach Alpha
Lab 2
Pallant Ch. 8, & 9
Fraenkel and
Wallen book
chapter: “Validity &
Reliability”, pp. 157172
Reading posted on
D2L
Univariate/Descriptive Book chapter:
Analyses
“Analytic
Sampling
Techniques for
Lab 3
Observational
Research”, pp. 317325
Lab 1 Data
management due
Lab 2- Reliability
Analysis
Cronbach
Alpha due
Sullivan, Book
chapter:
“Summarizing Data
Collected in the
Sample” pp. 35-61
Lecture 5
09/23/14
Lecture 6
09/30/14
Bivariate
Associations: ChiSquare
Correlations
Lab 4
Project Workday
Readings posted on
D2L
Pallant Ch. 11 pp.
Lab 3210-218
Univariate/Descriptive
Analysis, Sampling
Crosby et al., book
Due
chapter: “Analytic
Techniques for
Observational
Research”, pp. 325 334
Reading posted on
D2L
Instructions posted
on D2L
Lecture 7
10/07/14
10/14/14
SEMESTER
MIDPOINT
Lecture 8
10/21/14
Group Comparisons:
One sample t-test
Independent t-test
Paired samples t-test
Lab 5
Pallant Ch. 17
Sullivan, L., book
chapter:
“Hypothesis
Testing
Procedures”
Sections 7.5 to 7.7
pp. 138-144.
EXAM#1
One Way ANOVA
Two Way ANOVA
Lab 6
Lab 4- Bivariate
Associations Due
No lab due
M & V Ch. 4: 67-91
Lab 5- Group
Comparisons Due
Sullivan, L., book
chapter: Section
7.8, “Tests with
More Than Two
Independent
Samples,
Continuous
Outcome.” pp. 147156
Reading posted on
D2L
Lecture 9
10/28/14
Lecture 10
11/04/14
Lab 6
ANOVA Review
ANCOVA
Lab 7
Lecture 11
11/11/14
Lecture 12
11/18/14
MANOVA
Lab 8
Multivariate Linear
Regression
Lab 9
M & V Ch. 5: 93-115
Lab 6- ANOVA Due
Green & Salkind 191192
Pallant Ch. 22: 290293
M & V Ch. 5: 117-134 Lab 7 ANCOVA due
M & V Ch. 7: 159-188
Crosby et al. book
chapter: “Analytic
Techniques for
Observational
Lab 8- MANOVA Due
Research”, pp. 334 344
Lecture 13
12/02/14
Logistic Regression
Lab 10
Lecture 14
12/09/14
Exam #2
Reading posted on
D2L
M & V Ch. 11: 289306
Pallant Ch. 14: 166167
Lab 9-Multivariate
Linear Regression
Due
FINAL PROJECT DUE
by 5:00 p.m.
Digital Communication
GSU email system
When I send email regarding class information, I will use your Desire2Learn email address, so
please regularly check email sent to that address. I will not use any other email address for
official class communications.
Email Etiquette
I reserve the right to not respond to your email if it is poorly or improperly addressed.
Although this may appear old-fashioned, proper etiquette (“Dear Dr. Thurman,” “Dear
Professor Thurman”) will send a much more polite and positive message to me (and to your
other instructors at Georgia State University) than an improperly addressed email.
Desire2Learn
Desire2Learn will be used to post class documents. The Desire2Learn logo is on the GSU
home page. Students are expected to access the information posted on the class web
pages. I will make an effort to inform the class when new information is posted to
Desire2Learn; however, you should check the Desire2Learn site regularly. The site will have
the most recent syllabus and any changes that occur as we go along, as well as other
relevant class materials including required and recommended readings, assignments, and
data sets.