E. (Eddy) Helen Berry
Old Main 224J
Phone:797-1245
FAX:797-1240
Office Hours: MW10:00-11:30
OR other times by appointment
E-mail:eberry@hass.usu.edu
Spring, 2006
Social Statistics II
SOCIOLOGY 6150
Goals & Objectives:
The learning objectives for this class are relatively modest.
1.
2.
3.
4.
First, you should be able to understand, and appropriately utilize, statistical
language at a graduate level.
Second, you should come to know the nature of “statistical significance” and
understand the advantages and pitfalls of using it.
Third, you should be able to understand and use regression analysis, anova,
logistic regression, factor analysis, path analysis and chi-square with appropriate
variables and reasoning and, to interpret adequately the output from such
statistical analyses.
Fourth, you should know when to utilize these various techniques and to have a
sense of the other sorts of analytical techniques that are appropriate when these
are not.
If you are the sort of person who has an excellent mathematical grasp of the concepts
of statistics, you may not enjoy this class and should investigate other courses on
campus. The class combines a mathematical and intuitive understanding of statistics
with an emphasis on how the formulae relate to each other. The class does not rely on
formal proofs of how statistics work.
Success in Sociology 6150
This course is time consuming and requires the mastery of a very precise
technical language. Allow up to 20 hours a week beyond class time for reading,
thinking, working computer problems, and finishing assignments. Yes, you may work
together, but prepare all assignments in your own words. In statistics, you learn by
doing. Read critically and be active participants in class sessions. I will not put you into
study groups but study groups are encouraged.
Don't allow yourself to fall behind in reading or in comprehension. The better
you understand earlier concepts, the better you will grasp later material. Therefore,
clear up confusions as they occur, not on the night before an assignment is due. Yes, I
EXPECT to see each of you in my office hours frequently over the course of the
semester. Do NOT be shy about this!
Finally, remember:
"Statistics are no substitute for judgment." Henry Clay.
This is my motto in class and I expect that you will each come to understand this by the
end of the term.
Computers in this Class
Successful completion of the course requires some familiarity with and ability to
use statistical software packages on the main frame or on a PC. I do not have a
preference whether you use SPSSX, SPSS-PC, SAS, SAS-PC, or another widely used
SOCIAL SCIENCE package. I will be providing demonstrations on how to use the
SPSS for Windows package and one of the texts utilizes SPSS for Windows. I will not
be able to help you if you are using the other statistical packages. Do not use a nonsocial science-oriented package because these sometimes do not have all the statistics
or options on them which will be necessary for this course. For example, Microcase is
extremely limited and should not be used in this class. There is a student version of
SPSS available in the bookstore or on-line. It is pretty good but be sure that it includes
both multiple regression and logistic regression (some older versions do not). A few
versions are available on Amazon and other on-line places. .
SPSS for Windows is available in several of the labs on campus. Currently,
these labs are in the Sci-Tech Library, and Ag Science. It is also available in the
Family Life Computer Lab and most of the computers in the Sociology complex. I must
request that if you are doing work in the sociology department labs or bull-pens that ou
will be cognizant that those computers are first for use by individuals in those labs, and
only second for those not working on lab projects. Please be considerate.
WEB-CT
Please note that I have put much of this material onto Web-CT. My lectures are not on
Web-CT, but some parts of them may become so at some point in time. The syllabus,
with all these hypertext links in it is on BOTH Web-CT and on my website:
http://otis.usu.edu/hass_staff/ehberry/public_html/index.html
To use Web-CT,
(1) go to the index on the USU website.
(2) Click on W.
(3) Then click on Web-CT:
https://webct.usu.edu/webct/ticket/ticketLogin?action=print_login&request_uri=/webct/h
omearea/homearea%3F)
Your Login will be your Banner A number.
Your password will be your Banner password.
I’ll show you how to navigate around in Web-Ct in class, but I’d particularly appreciate it
if you folks would use the communication tools. It will make class conversations much
easier - since we’ll all get the same info at once.
READINGS
The following texts are required:
Iverson, Gudmund R. and Helmut Norpoth. 1976. Analysis of Variance. Sage
University Paper: Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences, Beverly Hills, CA. #1
Schroeder, Larry D., David L. Sjoquist, Paula E. Stephan. 1986. Understanding
Regression Analysis: An Introductory Guide. Sage University Paper: Quantitative
Applications in the Social Sciences, Beverly Hills, CA. #57
Pampel, Fred C. 2000. Logistic Regression: A Primer. Sage University Paper:
Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences, Beverly Hills, CA. #132
Chen, Peter Y. and Paula M. Popovich. 2002 Correlation: Parametric and
Nonparametric Measures. Sage University Paper: Quantitative Applications in the
Social Sciences, Beverly Hills, CA. #139
George, Darren and Paul Mallery. 2006. SPSS for Windows Step by Step: A Simple
Guide and Reference. 13.0 Sixth Edition. Allyn & Bacon.
There is also a set of articles on reserve at the front desk of the sociology
department offices (Main 224A). And, I will let you know where to find them
electronically if they are available electronically. Articles will be used as in-class
examples. There is also the code book for the data set that will be used in class this
semester. You may choose to copy the articles at your discretion. I do suggest going
on-line and getting the code book copied soon. The code book will be utilized in the
first or second assignment.
Data will be supplied in SPSS-PC portable form, as well as on my website (which
is currently at: http://otis.usu.edu/hass_staff/ehberry/public_html/index.html. I believe
that I can send the data, and the code book, to you in the form of a zipped file. But,
some types of email do not accept large attachments. If this is the case, you had best
bring me a disc/memory stick/whatever onto which the data can be copied.
Several web sites are QUITE useful as sites for statistical explanations. Before
downloading any material from these or any other web site, be sure that the information
is not copyrighted. In specific, reference the following:accessed on Decem ber 21, 2000:
William Knight, http://www.math.unb.ca/~knight/webstaty.htm for everything
David Lane, http://davidmlane.com/hyperstat/index.html -an on-line stats textbook.
Please note: I do not endorse the advertisements on these sites!
http://www.statistics.com/ everything you ever needed on this topic!
There are many such sites. Enjoy yourself in finding them. Figure out what
which ones you understand and then use them.
Sources for Methodological Writings
There are two excellent sources for analysis of current statistical practices and
techniques in social science research. The first is the Annual Review of Sociology
series, published by Annual Reviews, Inc., California. Each edition is a collection of
original essays summarizing the previous 10 or so years research on a topic in the
discipline. Usually there are two or three, articles on methodological and statistical
topics. Obviously, the related, Annual Review of Psychology is also an excellent
source.
The second source is the annual series, Sociological Methodology, published by
the American Sociological Association, Washington, D.C. This is an entire text of
original essays on statistics and methods. Often these are quite technical, but with a
little stick-to-it-iveness, you will be able to get the gist of what they are trying to say.
Within the individual specialty areas of a discipline, however, you will find the
best sources of statistical information simply by reading the articles in the journals.
Specifically, within a given area of interest, you will find that the people who are trying to
answer the same types of statistical questions that you are asking will be using specific
statistical techniques.
Evaluation:
You will be evaluated on the basis of
1.
A series of assignments (between eight and twelve);
2.
Short answer, “question of the day”; and
3.
A final exam.
The assignments will account for 60% of your grade while the daily questions will
account for 20%. The final will be worth 20%. Please note the late assignment policy
discussed below.
The Questions of the Day will be one to three questions in length and will begin each
class period. Please bring a set of 3x5 note cards or the equivalent to class each day.
I will ask the question(s), and you will write the answer on a 3x5 card. At some point I
will begin asking class members to prepare the Questions of the Day. The purposes of
these daily questions are two-fold: to motivate you to be ready for each class period by
having mastered the material in the previous class session; second, to clarify for me
what the class has mastered and what has not yet been thoroughly learned. Up to 3 of
these may be dropped as a result of absence or as a result of a poor grade.
The final exam is intended to help you summarize your thoughts on subjects of the
course. The final exam will be cumulative.
Working Together: You may work together, except on quizzes. BUT EVERY
ASSIGNMENT MUST BE ANSWERED IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
•
Please realize that, even if you are in a study group, not everyone in a study
•
•
group need have the same answer to an assignment or quiz question. If you
disagree with each other, go with your own best judgement, not the group’s.
Some of you will write numerous pages and get lower grades than those who
write few; some of you will work together yet receive different grades. Because
assignments are in your own words, what you SAY matters, as well as how
MUCH you write.
Why do I ask you to put assignments into your own words? So that you can
assess your own understanding and help you fix any weak spots.
General Course Policies
Questions of the Day: Students are expected to be in class, on time. The Questions
of the Day are at the beginning of class.
Written Work: Please make certain that all written work is neat. When possible type
or word process written assignments. However, I do not expect the formulae to be
typed. I do expect that the use of the word processor and the statistical software will be
extensive.
Assignments Outside of Class: Standard Utah State University policy calculates outof-class assignments as requiring two hours of study for each undergraduate course
credit. Graduate course credit is anticipated to be at least two to three times that.
Three hour courses should require an average fifteen to twenty hours per week as
noted above.
Incompletes: University policy states that incomplete grades are not to be given for
poor performance in class. Any incomplete MUST be cleared with me before the end of
the semester and must be completed within 6 weeks of the end of the semester. You
will be expected to sign a contract specifying the terms of the incomplete grade.
Extra Credit: Extra credit is not given. If you show improvement over the course of the
term, you will be given the benefit of the doubt in the final grade. That is, if your first
assignments were D or C level and later assignments were A or B level, I will assign
greater weight to the later work.
Late Assignments: Any assignment turned in after that assignment has been graded
and returned to other students will be docked one full letter grade.
Plagiarism & Cheating: Plagiarism is the use of another person’s written or oral work
without citation of the author. This includes “borrowing” from fellow students.
Cheating includes such a wide variety of possible techniques that it is not possible to
delineate them all here, however, the worst example of these is plagiarism. The first
instance of either receives a grade of F for the assignment or quiz. The second
instance results in a grade of F for the course.
5
You can expect ME to be....
PROMPT. I will be on time for class and office
hours, unless I have a meeting. Then I will try
very hard to accommodate your schedule. I will
also try to return papers in a timely fashion
(usually within a week).
PREPARED. I will make a sincere effort to help
you learn the course material by spending
enough time and effort in class preparation to
make the material as understandable and as
interesting as I can. In other words, I will do my
homework.
ATTENTIVE AND RESPECTFUL. When you
are speaking, you will have my undivided
attention. I will make every effort to respond to
you respectfully and in a polite fashion.
I expect YOU to be...
PROMPT. You should be on time for class and
appointments, and stay until class is over. You
should meet all deadlines.
PREPARED. You should make a sincere effort
to learn the course material by being prepared
for class. This includes reading all the
assignments carefully in advance of our
discussing the material in class. In other words,
do your homework.
ATTENTIVE AND RESPECTFUL. When
another student or I are speaking to the class,
you should give us your undivided attention.
Inattention or disrespect either to me or to other
students is unacceptable.
FAIR AND HONEST. You will follow basic
academic ethics (see above). If you plagiarize
or cheat, you are being dishonest and are
unfairly gaining an advantage over other
students. If you plagiarize or cheat, you will be
subject to the policy I have outlined above.
Period. No excuses.
FAIR AND HONEST. Your grade will be based
upon my best judgment of the work you produce
for this class, not upon any personal
consideration. This course is not just about
"opinions;" there ARE right and wrong answers
to some questions I will pose. Also, I must
make judgment calls about the quality of the
work that you produce. Within these limits, I will
never penalize you for simply holding a view
that is different than mine.
ACCESSIBLE. I will be available during my RESOURCEFUL. You must be willing to seek
office hours and, if needed, will try to out additional help if you are having difficulty in
accommodate you for appointments to meet at this class. (See ACCESSIBLE above.)
other times.
Americans with Disabilities Act:
If you have a documented disability and need reasonable accommodation to complete
the above or to participate in this course, please visit with the instructor immediately
and we can arrange the necessary accommodation. Please note that documentation of
the disability must be provided via the Disability Resource Center on campus.
6
Dates
Topics
Readings 1
January 10
Introduction: W hat are statistics?
W hat are their uses: descriptive,
inferential, param etric &
nonparam etric, Role of statistics in
Science
Read Chapters 1-3 in
George & Mallery
January 12
Operationalization, reliability & validity,
Levels of Measurem ent (W hat is low?
W hat is high?)
http://www.hospiweb.scotc
it.ac.uk/lectures/l_m eas.sh
tm l and Cano in the U.K.
http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toc
onnor/308/308lect04.htm
(fr/O’connor NC W esleyan
January 17
Presenting Data; Frequencies,
Cum ulative Freqs. %s, proportions;
Using Codebooks
Chapter 4-6 in George &
Mallery
http://www.llc.rpi.edu/web/
ResearchMethodsForCom
m unicationScience/ch08.p
df
January 19
Measures of Central Tendency &
Dispersion
Chapter 7 in George &
Mallery
http://www.princeton.edu/~
slynch/soc301_notes6.pdf
January 24
Probability & the Norm al Curve; Using
Z-scores
http://espse.ed.psu.edu/st
atistics/Chapters/Chapter6
/Chap6.htm l
(but don’t
send the instructor an endof-chapter report!)
Assignm ent 1 due
http://www.andrews.edu/~
calkins/m ath/webtexts/pro
d13.htm
http://www.georgetown.ed
u/departm ents/psychology
/researchm ethods/statistic
s/inferential/begin.htm
http://www.stat.sc.edu/~w
est/javahtm l/CLT.htm l
January 26
Sam pling, The Central Limit Theorem,
Confidence Intervals
January 31
The Problem with P-values
February 2
(No, Groundhog Day is not
an official USU
holiday)
Hypothesis Testing: Logic; Errors; ttest; statistical significance vs.
substantive sig vs. strength of
association.
Assignm ents &/or
supplem ental reading
Assignm ent 1
Assignm ent 2
http://www.m ath.uah.edu/
stat/sam ple/sam ple5.htm l
Assignm ent 2 due
http://www.georgetown.ed
u/departm ents/psychology
/researchm ethods/statistic
s/inferential/begin.htm
Geo & Mal, Chapter 9, 11
All web-sites were accessed on 3 January 2006
1
7
Assignm ent 3
February 7
Hypothesis Testing: Making Tables &
Chi-square
Chen & Popovich;
George & Mallery, chap. 8
Bivariate correlation
Chen & Popovich,
George & Mallery, chap 10
& 15
February 9
February 14
(Neither is
Valentine’s Day
a holiday!)
Nonparam etric correlation
February 16
Nonparam etric correlation
February 21
February 23
Assignm ent 3 due
Assignm ent 4
Chen & Popovich, George
& Mallery, chapt 17
Attend your Monday classes on this
day
“Causality” and Elaboration: Hym anLazarsfeld - explanation, interpetation,
spuriousness nonparam etric statistics,
m ore
Assignm ent 4 due
http://www.stat.sc.edu/rsr
ch/gasp/
http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~l
ane/rvls.htm l
February 28
Correlation & Regression
Schroeder, et. al.
March 2
Multivariate correlation & regression
Schroeder, et. al., George
& Mallery, chap 16
March 7-17
No class but Assignment due on
March 10!!!
Assignm ent 5 due
March 21
Correlation & Regression, continued
Multivariate Correlation & Regression:
sim ilarities, coefficient differences,
prediction, dum m ies
Assignm ent 5 due
Assignm ent 6
http://www.statsoftinc.co
m /textbook/stm ulreg.htm l
March 23
Choosing variables, com puter
packages, m ulticollinearity,
interactions
March 28
Logistic Regression
March 30
No class
April 4
Logistic Regression
George & Mallery, chapt
25-27, Pam pel
Pam pel
Assignm ent 5
Menard
http://www.m ath.yorku.ca
/SCS/Courses/grcat/grc6.
htm l
http://www2.chass.ncsu.e
du/garson/pa765/logistic.
htm
April 6
Logistic Regression
8
April 11
ANOVA
Iverson & Norpoth,
George & Mallery chap
12-14
April 13
ANOVA
April 18
ANOVA or Path
http://www2.chass.ncsu.ed
u/garson/pa765/path.htm
April 20
Path Analysis
Assignm ent 7 due,
Assignm ent 8
April 25
Path Analysis &/or Scaling
G&M, chapter 18-19
April 27
Scaling & Factor analysis & reliability
May 2
Final 9:30-11:20
Assignm ent 8 due
Last date to turn in
anything late
9
Assignm ent 6 due