Welcome statistics students! I’m glad you’ve chosen to enroll in my class! I love statistics. The realization that statistics provides an essential tool for exploring psychological theories and testing hypotheses convinced me to pursue a graduate degree in psychology. I hope you will learn to appreciate statistics… if you never learn to love it!
Jump to:
What is statistics?
How will I learn statistics?
What about exams?
Your textbook
Statistical Software
Evaluation
Suggestions for the beginning of the course
YouTube Playlists
Schedule
but… what is statistics?
Statistics is the science of gathering, organizing, summarizing, interpreting and presenting data, or information.
People use statistics all the time. Statistical analyses are behind college admissions and financial aid, how your insurance companies determine premiums, the ads you see on social media, sports forecasting, the results a google search returns, the shows Netflix suggests to you, the polls in headlines, and navigation of everything from self-driving cars to nuclear missiles.
Not only do I feel comfortable with statistics, I love designing and carrying out research, especially the data analysis part! But I still suffered a lot of frustration in my first statistics course. Yes, it can be difficult. But I went from hating statistics to loving it. And if you can learn statistics, and, more broadly data science, you will be able to find a job that pays well in just about any industry.
More importantly, statistics informs decisions at all levels of society. Hopefully, this course will help you think critically about the statistics you see presented in media.
Course objectives and learning outcomes
My purpose is to do my best to help you learn how to:
• Interpret “statistics” used to support views presented in popular press.
• Understand research presented in academic journals.
• Use statistics in the process of carrying out basic research.
Official Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:
• Identify the appropriate level of measurement associated with descriptive statistics, t-tests, correlation and regression, ANOVA and Chi square.
• Use statistical software to analyze and effectively apply descriptive and inferential statistics for each level of data.
• Use appropriate statistical techniques to analyze, interpret, and present behavioral and social sciences research.
Yes you will! Really!
How will I learn statistics?
My approach to teaching statistics is very hands on. You will be doing a lot of statistics! The course is set up to facilitate learning. Each topic has a lecture/theory component. Most topics also have an applied component where you will be doing statistics. Although there are some hand calculations, most of the time you will be using statistical software to do the work.
All topics have the following components:
Lecture, text, and supplementary material
In the first page in each Topic module on CANVAS, I list all the materials and assignments for that topic. You will have textbook sections, videos, and a pdf of the slide presentation I use in my lecture.
Topic Quiz (multiple choice and some hand calculations)
• You can take the Topic quizzes three times. The highest score will be counted.
• The best way to learn is to take the quiz once before the lecture and reading, once after the lecture and all other topic activities, and once before the corresponding exam. (Exams cover 5 topics each.)
Applied topics (SPSS will be used)
In addition to the components listed above, 12/15 topics include SPSS learning material. These will also include
SPSS labs.
• The labs will teach you how to do all the necessary operations with SPSS. In the instructions you will not only written how-tos, but also videos in which I demonstrate all operations.
SPSS worksheets.
• The worksheets are for cementing the information you learned in the lab. For them you will use real data.
• It is extremely important to read the description of the data in the instructions.
Research requirement, learning games, practice, and extra credit
You will also obtain knowledge (and points towards your grade) by participating in research, playing computer games designed to teach statistics, doing practice exams (if you want), and completing extra credit (also voluntary).
I am a big fan of extra credit because it means you do more statistics! Most of the available extra credit requires you to carry out statistical analyses. There are a few exceptions–including Easter Eggs hidden throughout the course! There might even be a random egg around here somewhere.
Can I save my grade by doing extra credit?
Absolutely. First, extra credit will help you learn, and that will improve your performance on exams. Second, if you do enough extra credit you can boost your grade an entire letter.
What about exams?
You will have three exams, each covering five units or topics. There are no surprises. You will use datasets you are already familiar with as things get more complicated. (So it is very important to do all the assignments and learn the datasets before the exams!)
Each exam has multiple choice questions, a few calculations that do not require SPSS, and an SPSS component.
Although no exam is “cumulative” in the usual sense, statistics builds on itself. You will use concepts and analyses learned in Topic 3 in Exams 1, 2, and 3 (the Final).
All my exams are open book. You can use whatever resources you can access during exams, books, notes, the internet… everything but AI or another person! You must complete the exam with your own brainpower!
This does not mean you can get away with not studying or failing to organize your notes. The key to doing well on the exams is being very very organized. Prepare simple, clear notes with everything you will need to know.
Your textbook
Heiman, G. W. (2015). Behavioral Sciences STAT, 2nd Ed. Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning. (ISBN 1285458141 or ISBN 978128545814)
Buying a used book will be fine if you can find one. Digital edition is fine too. There is free material on cengage.com, such as flashcards, that you can access if you create a student account. The Access code is not required, though it would be helpful as an additional resource. If you have other courses that are using a book published by Cengage (Cengage Now) then getting a new book is financially advantageous to you.
You are responsible for reading the text and learning all content. Yes, I will also lecture. For sure I will cover all important points. I will definitely add to the text material that is NOT in it. I might skip some of the material in the text because I assume you can read. (But probably not… however, you might understand the text book better than you understand me. Everyone learns differently.) Bottom line: Exam questions will come from the text and my lectures.
Statistical Software
I STRONGLY encourage you to ensure access to our statistical software before the course begins. You will save yourself a lot of stress that way!
As per Bakersfield College requirements for B6 (Research Methods), we must use IBM’s SPSS statistical software. You can get a discounted 6-month license by clicking HERE. (Don’t pay more than that elsewhere!) You can also use it on computers at BC. SPSS is installed on computers in the Main Campus Library, and in rooms 208 and 221 on the Southwest campus. These are classrooms, but there is plenty of time without classes, and I personally don’t mind if a student sits in the back of my class working quietly. The tutoring center at Southwest is also getting computers with SPSS.
Above: A screenshot of an SPSS dataset you might be using. These data were collected by my Research Methods students.
It’s important to note that statistical software such as SPSS is essential for this course. You cannot complete all the assignments with a scientific calculator or with Excel. Like all sophisticated statistical software, SPSS is a powerhouse. You will be using less than 10% of the functions available to you (and BC only provides a limited version). I promise that although it may seem intimidating at first, by the time the first exam comes along, you will feel very comfortable with SPSS!
Alternative software
There are several excellent free statistical software programs. I have to use SPSS at BC, so I will not be able to teach you to use alternatives. However, they are not that different, and there is a lot of help available online.
I have taught this course previously using jamovi. This means I have instructional videos available (YouTube playlist).
I also really like JASP, and R is the best option if you think you might go on to be a data specialist. Although I have not made any instructional videos for JASP or R, plenty of other people have.
Note that the advantage of using free software is that you can download it on your computer. They do not work on Chromebooks however (at least, not easily; if you know how to get them to run on Chromebook, you are going to have an extremely easy time in this class). If you have a Chromebook, it is better to use SPSS on the Appstream.
The Appstream
You can access SPSS (along with Microsoft Office) for free on BC’s Appstream. The Appstream is part of Amazon Web Services, and you can use it anywhere you have an Internet connection on any device with a browser. The SPSS on it is fully functional. It does take a long time to load. (If you use it for exams, get it up and running before you start the quiz). You have to upload your SPSS files to your BC Onedrive, and then open them in SPSS.
The procedure is a bit clunky, but it is free.
Evaluation
Half of your points come from hands-on activities, such as carrying out analyses with real data. The rest is comprised of low-stakes topic quizzes (you have three tries on these) and your exams (30%).
Suggestions for the beginning of the course
You will make your life a lot easier if you get as much as you can done before classes start. I will have our CANVAS course open at least one week before class starts. Begin by reading our Home Page carefully. At the bottom, there is a link to the Start Here! page. It has links to all the activities you need to do before class starts.
Once you have finished the Welcome module, the Week 1/ Topic 1 module will open up. You can get a head start by completing as much of it as you can before class starts.
General tips for being successful in this course
Work through all of the modules in order. They begin with a page with links to all assignments due and lots of resources, such as lecture and SPSS instructional videos.
• Don’t fall behind.
• Don’t skip ahead. I have it set up so the modules will not open until you complete certain pre-requisites. This is because statistics builds upon itself. You need a solid understanding of the Topic 3 material in order to understand topics 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. You need Topic 4 material to understand topics 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15… You get the point!
Notice that you have three tries at the Topic Quiz, and the highest score is used for your grade. Do it once before the lecture or reading the book, once at the end of the topic, after viewing the lecture, reading the book, and completing the SPSS assignments, and once just before the corresponding exam.
**Be very, very organized.
**Ask for help if you need it. There are two discussions on CANVAS where you can organize study groups and ask classmates for help. I have office hours at least two days a week, and am available via ZOOM on other days. Most confusion can be resolved with a short one-on-one session. And I enjoy visitors!
(11) Pippin
YouTube Playlists
Introductions and general tips:
Lecture videos:
Recorded in my office in fall 2022:
SPSS Instructional videos:
Old lectures recorded in synchronous ZOOM classes:
These lectures were recorded during COVID. They are more similar to in-person instruction, because the include student questions and discussion. However, they are long, and I was using jamovi to teach then.
Click here to access my jamovi instructional video playlist.
Schedule
Although the details of scheduling will change, this liquid syllabus will give you an idea of what the course will look like. For 16-week (semester-long) courses, we will do one topic per week. For 8-week courses, we will do more or less 2/week, but there will be some differences.
Welcome! Introductions and preliminary materials
Please read the Home page and complete the first module before the first day of class.
Activities:
• Complete Writing Assignment #1 by Monday at midnight. Online classes only!
• Complete the Introduce yourself discussion (record or link to a brief video) by Saturday.
• Take the Math Quiz (Required to advance to Topic 1)
• Read the How to Access SPSS page. (required)
• Complete the Day 1 Survey (Required)
Topic 1: Welcome! Introduction to Statistics and the Research Process
Assigned Reading
• Chapter 1: Introduction to Statistics Research
Assignments
• Note: Your assignments are all in QUIZ form on CANVAS.
• Complete the Topic 1 Quiz
• Complete Lab 1, introduction to SPSS
Topic 2: Data Displays, Frequency, and Percentiles
Assigned Reading
• Chapter 2: Creating and using frequency distributions
Assignments
• Topic 2 Quiz
• Lab 2
• Topic 2 lecture quiz.
Topic 3: Measures of Central Tendency
Assigned Reading
• Chapter 3: Summarizing Scores with Measures of Central Tendency
Assignments
• Topic 3 Quiz
• Lab 3
• Topic 3 SPSS Worksheet
Topic 4: Measures of Variability
Assigned Reading
• Chapter 4: Summarizing Scores with Measures of Variability (section 4-6 is optional; you do not need to know the computational formulas)
Assignments
• Topic 4 Quiz
• Lab 4
• Topic 4 SPSS Worksheet
• Variability Lecture review quiz
Topic 5: z-Scores, the sampling distribution, and the Normal Curve
Assigned Reading
• Chapter 5: Describing data with z-scores and the normal curve
Assignments
• Topic 5 Quiz
• Midterm Exam 1: Chapters 1-5
Topic 6: Correlation
Assigned Reading
• Chapter 10 (through page 172, first paragraph): Describing relationships using correlation and regression
Assignments
• Topic 6 Quiz
• Lab 5
• Topic 6 SPSS Worksheet
• Correlational Study Design Exercise (in class activity)
Topic 7: Regression
Assigned Reading
• Chapter 10 (parts 5-6): Describing relationships using correlation and regression
Assignments
• Topic 7 Quiz
• Lab 6
• Topic 7 SPSS Worksheet
Topic 8: Probability and Hypothesis Testing
Assigned Reading
• Chapter 6: Using probability to make decisions about data
Assignments
• Topic 8 Quiz
• No lab or SPSS worksheet this week
Topic 9: Probability and z-scores
Assigned Reading
• Chapter 7: Overview of statistical hypothesis testing: the z-test
Assignments
• Topic 9 Quiz
• Correlation/regression Review Quiz
• Statistical Hypothesis Testing Process Quiz
• No lab or SPSS worksheet this week
Topic 10: One Sample t-Test and Testing Correlations
Assigned Reading
• Chapter 8: Hypothesis testing using the one-sample t-test; Chapter 10, section 10-3 and 10-4, pp. 174-178)
Assignments
• Topic 10 Quiz
• Lab 7
• Midterm Exam #2: Chapters 6, 7, 8, 10.
Topic 11: Two Samples t-Test: Independent samples
Assigned Reading
• Chapter 9 (through part 9-3): Hypothesis testing using the two-sample t-test
Remember we will be using definitional and not computational formulas!
Assignments
• Topic 11 Quiz
• Lab 8
• Topic 11 SPSS Worksheet
• Probability and Hypothesis testing Practice Quiz
Topic 12: Two Samples t-Test: Paired/related samples
Assigned Reading
• Chapter 9 (parts 4-7): Hypothesis testing using the two-sample t-test
Assignments
• Topic 12 Quiz
• Lab 9
• Topic 12 SPSS Worksheet
Topic 13: Analysis of variance (ANOVA)
Assigned Reading
• Chapter 11: Hypothesis testing using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
Assignments
• Topic 13 Quiz
• Lab 10
• Topic 13 SPSS Worksheet
Topic 14: Factorial ANOVA
Assigned Reading
• Chapter 12: Understanding the two-way Analysis of Variance
Assignments
• Topic 14 Quiz
• Factorial Study Design Exercise
• Lab 11 (extra credit)
• Topic 14 SPSS Worksheet (extra credit)
Topic 15: Chi Square, Review
Assigned Reading
• Chapter 13 (parts 1-5): Chi-square and other nonparametric procedure
Assignments
• Topic 15 Quiz
• Lab 12
• Topic 15 SPSS Worksheet
Final Exam:
The final is divided into three separate CANVAS quizzes:
• Part 1 (SPSS required, 52 points)
• Part 2 (SPSS required, 16 points)
• Part 3 (no SPSS needed, 32 points)
The Professor reserves the right to modify the assignments in CANVAS or classroom (by adding, changing, deleting any work listed in this syllabus), and will notify students of such changes via announcements, lecture, and email.