Course Description
Descriptive and inferential statistics, including estimating parameters and testing significance, as applied to psychological research. Taught at an introductory level. Requires knowledge of elementary algebra. Prerequisite: Grade of at least C- in PSY 121, and grade of at least C- in STA 108 or MAT 115 or MAT 118 or MAT 120 or MAT 190 or MAT 196 or MAT 183 or MAT 184 or RCO 114 or RCO 115; Note: Students may not receive credit for more than one of the following: PSY 211 and also STA 271 (or STA 352 or ECO 250).
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
- Calculate and interpret descriptive statistics, including measures of central tendency and variability, for psychological data
- Explain the logic of statistical inference, including sampling distributions and hypothesis testing
- Select and apply appropriate inferential statistical tests to analyze psychological data and interpret the results
- Evaluate the use and misuse of statistics in psychological research
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Homework assignments | 25% |
| Exams | 75% |
*Note: grades are rounded to the nearest .5
Grading Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 93-100 | A |
| 90-92 | A- |
| 87-89 | B+ |
| 83-86 | B |
| 80-82 | B- |
| 77-79 | C+ |
| 73-76 | C |
| 70-72 | C- |
| 67-69 | D+ |
| 63-66 | D |
| 60-62 | D- |
| 59 or below | F |
Attendance/Participation:
Class attendance is mandatory. Students are permitted 3 unexcused absences without penalty. For each additional absence, final grades will be reduced by 1 level (i.e., if you earned a B and had 4 unexcused absences, your final grade would be a B-).
Arriving late or leaving early is disruptive to the class—coming late or leaving early three times is equivalent to one absence.
Students are expected to be present for the full class period, so please plan to be in the classroom a few minutes early and refrain from packing up your things until I have dismissed the class.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
- Gravetter, F. J., & Forzano, L. B. (2016). Research methods for the behavioral sciences (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
- Packback
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.