Social Science Statistics Syllabus Draft

Transcription

1 Social Science Statistics Syllabus Draft SOCI 2606 L11 Summer Session I 2015 MTWR 9:00 12:00 Room TBD Prof. Matthew Weinshenker weinshenker@fordham.edu Summer office hours by apt. DESCRIPTION This course is an introduction to statistical techniques that are commonly employed in social research. The course begins with an overview of tabular and graphical presentations of data, followed by basic descriptive statistics. Next, we cover the most common tools of statistical inference, including the chi-square test, confidence intervals, and t-tests. The rest of the course provides an in-depth introduction to regression, which is the most popular procedure for assessing hypotheses about cause and effect. No prior familiarity with statistics is assumed. I would also like to emphasize that knowledge of advanced mathematics is not expected. All you will need is basic arithmetic and algebra. By contrast, it is necessary to learn to use statistical software, because this is the most practical way to analyze quantitative data. Instruction in the SPSS software will be provided. You will learn to produce social statistics, but that is not the only focus. The course also emphasizes interpretation: understanding what a statistical result conveys about the social world, and communicating this to an audience. To practice these latter skills, you will complete a research paper that involves testing hypotheses and discussing the findings in plain English. This semester of the course has several objectives: 1. You will create simple tables and compute basic statistics by hand. 2. You will use SPSS to produce statistical results, as well as tables and graphs. 3. You will develop comprehension of what statistical results are telling you, and communicate this meaning in writing. 4. You will apply your new skills in statistical analysis and interpretation to writing a research paper. 1

2 REQUIRED MATERIALS There is one required text. It is available at the University Bookstore, and is also available as an e-book from Please get the latest edition. Linneman, Thomas J Social Statistics: Managing Data, Conducting Analyses, Presenting Results (Second Edition). New York: Routledge. You are required to bring the text to every class. If you buy the e-book, you may have it open on your personal device or on the classroom computers. A hand-held stand-alone calculator is recommended, but is not required because the course is meeting in a computer classroom. (You may use Windows built-in calculator if you wish.) Calculator apps on cell phones and other personal electronic devices will not be permitted during exams. ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING 1. Homework assignments (20%). Time for homework will be provided in class, but you may need extra time outside class to complete it. The purpose of the homework is to practice new skills for the first time. Therefore, each assignment will constitute only a small portion of your final grade. In addition, when calculating your final grade, the lowest homework score will be dropped. 2. Paper (30%). More information on the paper will be distributed later. 3. Two quizzes (15% each) and one final exam (20%). Assignment and grading policies: 1. All assignments must be completed and handed in by the due date. Work turned in one class late will be penalized: 10% of the total points for a homework assignment, and one full grade for the final version of the paper. No assignments will be accepted more than one class late unless an extension has been granted in advance. 2. The paper must be submitted to turnitin.com. This course s turnitin.com ID is (pending), and the password is (pending). A brief introduction to turnitin.com will be provided in class. 3. Scheduled quizzes exams can be made up on a different date only by prior arrangement with the instructor or because of special contingencies such as illness or family emergency. 4. When doing homework problems by hand, show your work. This helps you to earn partial credit in case you make a mistake. 5. You are encouraged to help one another learn the process for solving your homework problems. However, you and only you must produce the answers that you hand in. This means that you must do your own calculations, and get your own results from SPSS. 2

3 EXPECTATIONS, PARTICIPATION, AND ATTENDANCE You should expect to spend a good deal of time on this course. Any Fordham undergraduate can master this material, but the only way is hands-on practice. Plan to spend plenty of time reviewing the textbook, and especially working through the homework problems. Participation is not required, but is strongly encouraged. Students can earn extra credit if their class participation shows excellent preparation and forethought. Because regular attendance is essential to mastering the material, a role will be taken each day. You are allowed two unexcused absences with no questions asked. 3 or more unexcused absences will result in a five-point deduction from your final grade. 5 or more unexcused absences will result in an additional five-point deduction. Being ten or more minutes late three times will count as an absence. Of course, excused absences are allowed as defined by university policy. It is your responsibility to provide documentation that an absence is excused. No matter the reason for an absence, you are responsible for material from the missed class. TECHNOLOGY 1. I will only send course related messages to Fordham addresses. It is your responsibility to regularly check your Fordham account for course-related communications. 2. is generally the most effective way to get in touch with me, your professor. I usually respond to messages no later than the next day (and sometimes much sooner). Please do not expect me to check on the weekends. 3. As a courtesy to your fellow students, please silence your electronic devices during class. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY 1. All assignments submitted for credit must be your own work. As stated in the Arts and Sciences Policy on Academic Integrity ( Plagiarism occurs when individuals attempt to present as their own what has come from another source.whether such theft is accidental or deliberate. Examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to 1) Failing to acknowledge the ideas of another person, whether or not such ideas are paraphrased, from whatever source ; 2) Attempting to rewrite borrowed material by simply dropping a word here and there, substituting a few words for others, or moving around words or sentences; 3) Failing to place quotation marks around borrowed material in the approved style; 4) Presenting, as one s own an assignment, paper, or computer program partially or wholly prepared by another person. 2. You are prohibited from providing or receiving unauthorized assistance on examinations, quizzes, or in the fulfillment of any course requirement. 3

4 Violation of these rules, or any other violation of academic integrity, will result in a formal report being filed with the Department Chair and the Dean. It is also likely to result in a 0 or an F on a specific exam or assignment or a failure for the whole course. When in doubt about whether something is allowed, please come see me! REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS Under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, all students, with or without disabilities, are entitled to equal access to the programs and activities of Fordham University. If you believe that you have a disability that may interfere with your ability to participate in the activities, coursework, or assessment of the object of this course, you may be entitled to accommodations. Please schedule a meeting to speak with someone at the Office of Disability Services (Rose Hill - O Hare Hall, Lower Level, x0655 or at Lincoln Center Room 207, x6282). 4

5 COURSE SCHEDULE You are responsible for doing the reading before class on the listed date. You need not read the sections of each chapter that follow the Conclusion before class. T 5/19 W 5/20 R 5/21 M 5/25 T 5/26 W 5/27 R 5/28 Course introduction Managing data Linneman 1: 1-11, 13-17, and Tables and graphs Linneman 2: and Basic descriptive statistics Linneman 3: and Chi-square test Linneman 4: all Confidence intervals Linneman 5: all T-tests Linneman 6: and M 6/1 QUIZ 1 (chapters 1-4) Analysis of variance T 6/2 W 6/3 R 6/4 M 6/8 T 6/9 W 6/10 Linneman 6: , Bivariate correlation and regression Linneman 7: all Regression inference Linneman 8: all Dichotomies as independent variables Linneman 9: all Controlling and nested regression models Linneman 10: all Beta coefficients Linneman 11: all Interaction effects Linneman 12: all HW 1 assigned HW 1 due HW 2 assigned HW 2 due HW 3 assigned HW 3 due HW 4 assigned HW 4 due HW 5 assigned HW 5 due HW 6 assigned R 6/11 QUIZ 2 (chapters 5-9) Introduction to research paper M 6/15 Research paper workshop HW 6 due T 6/16 Logistic regression Linneman 13: all W 6/17 Path analysis Linneman 14: all R 6/18 (No class) Research paper M 6/22 T 6/23 Nonlinear relationships Linneman 15: all Course review draft due 5

6 W 6/24 Research paper presentations Final research paper due R 6/25 FINAL EXAM 6