Psychological Statistics 2101
Spring, 2010
John G. Cope, Ph.D.

Office:                110 Rawl Building (328-6497)

e-mail                 copej@ecu.edu

Office Hours:    Spring, 2010, 8:00 to 09:30 am M, W, F and by appointment.

Text:                  Gravetter, F. J. & Wallnau, L. B. (2009). Statistics for the behavioral sciences, (8th. Ed.).
                                   New York: West.

Home Page:       http://core.ecu.edu/psyc/copej/cope.html

Syllabus:            http://core.ecu.edu/psyc/copej/courses/2101.htm

Course Objectives:

Content: This course, which is formula based, will concentrate on the understanding and practical application of various statistical methods. Specifically, the coverage will include descriptive statistics (including measures of central tendency, variability, and graphics) as well as a basic introduction to probability theory. The remainder of the course will concern the use of various inferential techniques including both non-parametric and parametric procedures.

Methods: Statistics forms the basic research foundation that provides the underpinning of most of what we do as scientists in psychology. Hence, the course will focus on understanding and categorizing various empirical methods used throughout the discipline of Psychology and on providing a working knowledge of how to compute (by hand and by computer) basic statistical formulas, using work aids such as hand calculators, and computer software technology such as PASW (SPSS).

Broader Impact: The focus will be on the practical application of various techniques and the emphasis will be placed on the selection, computation and interpretation of common statistical methods. Statistics is related to most things we do (e.g., decision making based on probability-based assessments of goal outcomes), and read about (e.g., public opinion polls and survey data). It is also used to shape the decision making of leaders in the public and private sectors and impacts us all; leading to the formation of rules, laws and legislation.

Course Requirements:

Classes will run Tuesday & Thursday from 09:30 to 10:45.  A lab (which will be treated the same as class time in regards to class format) is also required and will take place on Thursday from 2:00 to 3:50.  You must attend the lab that goes with this section.   It is not possible to take another section of lab in that they are all different for this course.  Class and Lab will take place in Rawl 208.

Attendance is expected (in that it will be difficult to pass a math class without attending the class where the procedures are explained) but not required.

Grades will be determined on the basis of four exams (each counting for 25% of the total requirements). In addition there will be a home work module (non-graded) provided for each section of material.  Answer sets for the homework modules will be provided and discussed in lab each week.  There will be no comprehensive final; yet, the fourth exam will be given during the regularly scheduled exam period.  The final will occur from 08:00a to 10:30a, on Thursday, April 29, 2010.  The other three tests will be announced no latter than one week prior to the proposed exam date.  No extra points are available.

Class Format:

Lecture and Lab time will be used to cover the basic theories as well as providing time for practical examples for each of the concepts under consideration. Please note all material will be presented in an interactive format, which will require class participation and problem solving. A scientific (Stat.-Function) calculator is required.

Syllabus

Topic List                                                                                                             Chapter

Introduction                                                                                                                1

Frequency Distributions and Graphs                                                                          2

Central Tendency                                                                                                        3

Test #1

Variability                                                                                                                   4

Normal Distribution & Z Scores                                                                                 5

Probability                                                                                                                   6

Test #2

Introduction to Inferential Statistics and Hypothesis Testing                                    8

Sampling Distributions: One Sample                                                                          8, and 9

Sampling Distributions: Two Sample                                                                         10, and 11

Test #3

One-way ANOVA                                                                                                     13

Correlation and Regression                                                                                         16 and 17

Test #4  (Thursday, April 29, 2010)

University Information:
In the event of a weather emergency, information about ECU can be accessed through the following sources:
ECU emergency notices:   http://www.ecu.edu/alert
Emergency Information Hotline:   252-328-0062

ECU seeks to fully comply with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA).  Students requesting accommodations based on a covered disability must go to the Department for Disability Support Services, located in Brewster A 114, to verify the disability before any accommodations can occur.  The telephone number is: 252-328-6799.