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Academic Year 2003/2004

Statistics: An Activity-Based Approach
PSYC 200 FA

This course will introduce the concepts and methods used in the analysis of quantitative data in the behavioral and life sciences. The approach will emphasize activity-based learning. Lectures will be used for the initial presentation and wrap-up of topics, but most class time will be devoted to activities in which students perform, present and discuss analyses. The topics covered will include descriptive statistics, sampling distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, and regression.

The goal of the three sections of the course is the mastery of these concepts; all sections use the same textbook and use the Minitab statistical analysis program. However, the three sections will approach the concepts at different rates and explore them to different levels. Students should select the section that is compatible with their backgrounds and interests.

All sections of this course will satisfy the statistics requirement for the Psychology major and the methodological requirement for the Neuroscience & Behavior major.

COURSE FORMAT: Laboratory

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: NSM PSYC    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Students with conventional backgrounds in mathematics who want to prepare to use statistical methods in further study in the behavioral and life sciences should select this section. Students who have taken statistics in high school or who have taken college level Calculus should not select this section. The pace will be typical of introductory statistics courses, and the goal will be to obtain a conceptual and working knowlege of basic statistical methods.

Major Readings

Moore & McCabe. INTRODUCTION TO THE PRACTICE OF STATISTICS. Freeman.

Examinations and Assignments

Short weekly assignments, two in-class tests, and comprehensive final examination.

Additional Requirements and/or Comments

Students who are considering Psychology or Neuroscience & Behavior majors must take this course graded.

Instructor(s): Sinnamon,Harry M.   

Times: ..T.R.. 10:30AM-11:50AM;     Location: SCIE74

Reserved Seats:    (Total Limit: 20)

SR. major: 0   Jr. major: 0

SR. non-major: 5   Jr. non-major: 5   SO: 5   FR: 5

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal:    Quantitative Reasoning, Focused Inquiry Course

SECTION 02

Students who plan further study in fields that do not rely on statistical methods but who want a foundation in statistical concepts should select this section. For example, this section is appropriate for students in the arts and humanities who would like to develop the ability to critically interpret findings presented by scientists. Students with limited mathematical backgrounds who are planning further study in the behavioral sciences also should consider this section. Students who have ta ken Calculus or Statistics in high school should not select this section. Compared to Section 01, Section 02 will devote more time to discussion and hands-on exercises elucidating the basic statistical methods. Although the course is oriented toward lay ing a conceptual base, students will spend most of the class time engaged in computer-based exercises.

Major Readings

Moore & McCabe, INTRODUCTION TO THE PRACTICE OF STATISTICS. Freeman.

Examinations and Assignments

Short weekly assignments, two in-class tests, and comprehensive final examination.

Additional Requirements and/or Comments

Students who are considering Psychology or Neuroscience & Behavior majors must take this course graded.

Instructor(s): Sinnamon,Harry M.   

Times: ..T.R.. 01:10PM-02:30PM;     Location: SCIE74

Reserved Seats:    (Total Limit: 20)

SR. major: 0   Jr. major: 0

SR. non-major: 5   Jr. non-major: 5   SO: 5   FR: 5

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal:    Quantitative Reasoning, Focused Inquiry Course

SECTION 03

Students who are comfortable with both mathematical concepts and computers and who plan to further study in fields emphasizing quantitative analyses should select this section. This section is appropriate for students who like to work independently in self-structured situations. This section will cover the same core material as the other sections. In addition, it will incorporate the use of the R and SPlus programming languages, the graphical presentation of data, and student presentations of analyses.

Major Readings

Moore & McCabe, INTRODUCTION TO THE PRACTICE OF STATISTICS. Freeman.

Examinations and Assignments

Short weekly assignments, two in-class tests, and comprehensive final examination.

Additional Requirements and/or Comments

Students who are considering Psychology or Neuroscience & Behavior majors must take this course graded.

Instructor(s): Sinnamon,Harry M.   

Times: .M.W... 11:00AM-12:20PM;     Location: SCIE74

Reserved Seats:    (Total Limit: 20)

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal:    Quantitative Reasoning, Focused Inquiry Course

Permission:    Permission of Instructor Required

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004

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