Fall 2019 Course Syllabus Course: PSYC-2317- Section: 50 Statistical Methods in Psychology

Instructor Information
Instructor	Eric Hernandez
E-mail	hernandezea@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6341
Office	Location: Student Center - Room: 410 Hours: Monday 10AM-11AM & 4PM-5:30PM, Tuesday through Thursday1PM-2:30PM, Friday 9AM - 11AM
Department	General Education and Developmental Studies Chair: Dr. Michelle Davis E-mail: davisml1@lamarpa.edu Phone: (409) 984-6341 If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Course Information
Description	Study of statistical methods used in psychological research, assessment, and testing. Includes the study of measures of central tendency and variability, statistical inference, correlation and regression as these apply to psychology.
Prerequisites	TSI complete in math.
Learning Outcomes	1. The ability to analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials, including books, articles, and documents relating to introductory statistics 2. The ability to produce clear correct, and coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion, and audience, including how to discover a topic, develop and organize it, and phrase it effectively for an audience, relating to introductory statistics 3. The ability to communicate orally in clear, coherent, and persuasive language appropriate to purpose, occasion and audience, including the acquisition of poise and developing control of language through experience in making presentations to small groups, large groups, and through the media, relating to introductory statistics 4. The ability to analyze and interpret various forms of spoken communication, relating to concepts, skills, and procedures associated with introductory statistics 5. The ability to apply both quantitative and qualitative skills analytically and creatively to subject matter in order to evaluate arguments and construct alternative strategies while solving problems when addressing an identified task relating to concepts, skills, and procedures associated with introductory statistics
Core Objectives	Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication. * Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions. * Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts. * Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities.
Program Student Learning Outcomes	PSLO Alpha: Reading skills - Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material. PSLO #1: Critical Thinking Skills - Uses creative thinking, innovation, inquiry and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information. PSLO #2: Communication Skills - Demonstrates effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and/or visual communication. PSLO #3: Empirical and Quantitative Skills - Applies the manipulation and/or analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions. PSLO #5: Social Responsibility Skills - Expresses intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.
Textbooks	Exploring Statistics: Tales of Distributions, 12th Edition (2019), Spatz. ISBN: 978-0-9963392-2-3
Lecture Topics Outline	Week 1: Chapter 1: Syllabus, introduction to statistical concepts, measurement and scales of measurement Week 2: Labor Day Holiday Week 3: Chapter 2: Frequency distributions and graphs Week 4: Chapter 3 & 4: Characteristics of distributions: Central tendency AND variability Week 5: Exam I Week 6: Chapter 5: Normal curve, standard scores, and percentiles Week 7: Chapter 7:Probability, Normal Distribution, & Sampling Distribution of Means Week 8: Chapter 8: Samples, Sampling Distributions, & Confidence Intervals Week 9: Exam II Week 10: Chapter 9: Null Hypothesis Testing (One-Sample Design) Week 11: Chapter 10: Null Hypothesis Testing (Two-Sample Designs Week 12: Exam III Week 13: Chapter 11: ANOVA Week 14: Chapter 6 & 14: Bivariate Distributions, Correlation & Regression AND Chi Square Week 15:Class Presentations Week 16: Final Exam
Major Assignments Schedule	Week 2: APA Assignment Week 4: Central tendency & variability case study Week 4: Exam 1 over chapters 1, 2, 3, & 4 Week 7: Probability case study Week 9: Exam 2 over chapters 5, 7, & 8 Week 10: T-test case study Week 11: Exam 3 over chapters 9 & 10 Week 12: ANOVA case study Week 14: Written assignment due before class starts, presentations due in class Week 17: Exam 4 over chapters 6, 11, & 14
Final Exam Date	December 9, 2019 - 5:00 PM   Through  December 9, 2019 - 8:00 PM
Grading Scale	895 - 1000 = A 795 - 894 = B 695 - 794 = C 595 - 694 = D < 595 = F
Determination of Final Grade	Exams = 560 points Statistical Case Studies = 130 Homework & Participation = 150 points Written Assignment & Presentation = 160 points EXAM POLICIES AND GUIDELINES: There will be 4 exams. Exams will have multiple choice, fill in the blank, true/false, and essay questions related to concepts in statistics. The majority of the test will be calculations. I do not give make-up exams. If you are going to miss an exam I need to hear from you within 24 hours of that exam or before you miss the exam. It will be my discretion if you are allowed to take the exam with or without penalty or if you receive a zero. Do not disappear and show up the next week expecting to take the exam. NECESSARY EQUIPMENT: Calculator with a square root function and a squaring function. Solar-power recommended. It does not need to be expensive. I recommend the TI-30XA. You need pencils with erasers, and a straight edge (e.g.: small ruler, protractor). If your calculator is battery-powered, make sure you have extra batteries. You will be responsible for providing your own calculator for exams and class activities. You will not be able to share equipment during an exam. You will not be able to use any other device (cell phone, ipad, etc.) as a calculator for an exam. Bring your calculator and text book to class everytime you attend class. Although not a specifically designed comprehensive course, math is cumulative in nature and you must keep up with the methods and concepts in order to build on your skills for the new material. EXAM /GRADE REPORT GUIDELINES: Scores for the first 3 exams will be available for you to see the next class session following each exam.
Course Policies
Instructor Policies	Late Work Policy: Late work will NOT be accepted with the only exception being documented emergencies. If such emergency occurs, contact the instructor immediately and be prepared to provide proof of the emergency. Otherwise, complete all assignments within the unit time frame or on the required due date. Plagiarism is not tolerated. Minimum failure of the assignment for a first offense. Future offenses result in a grade of F for the course. Extra Credit I will NOT offer individual extra credit. However, throughout the semester I may offer various opportunities to the entire class that are optional but highly recommended. The instructor reserves the right to modify the syllabus
Attendance Policy	I will take attendance. I do this for two reasons: (1) I use it to get to know who you are, and (2) to encourage you to come to class. I encourage class attendance because you may miss an important exercise, activity, or topic discussion that may be crucial for understanding a concept or topic. There will also be the opportunity to earn a few extra bonus points for regular attendance. In short, come to class every day you possibly can! It is up to you to drop the course if you decide not to attend class any longer. I will not drop you from the course. Caution: dropping or failing a course can have serious financial aid impacts. Speak to a financial aid counselor before doing either of these things. You are not sitting in a room by yourself. You will be expected to be aware of the other students in class and contribute meaningfully toward their education. Specifically, you will have opportunities throughout the class to ask questions that are relevant and helpful to the whole class, and speak up during discussions, offering insights and clarifications that will benefit others in the class. You will have opportunities to participate in activities, helping yourself and your classmates learn the material more meaningfully. If you're absent, you should make it a point to get lecture notes from one of your classmates. You might use this as a convenient excuse to talk to that attractive classmate you noticed in the first week of class! Here's a starter. Pardon me, [sir or madam], but I regretfully cannot attend our class next Monday, I have noticed your thorough and careful not taking all term. Would you be ever so kind as to make a copy of your notes for me? Here's my telephone number. From there on, it's up to you to get that first date - oops - I meant notes. Good luck! Being late to class is strongly discouraged, but something we all might suffer once or twice in a semester. If you're unavoidably late, please be very quiet when you enter the room so disrupt the class as little as possible. Check with your classmates after class to see whether you missed any important announcements or information. Similarly, leaving class early is also discouraged. PLEASE inform me at the beginning of class if you're planning on leaving early, and again, plan to sit in a place that will create the least disturbance when you leave.
Academic Honesty	Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
Facility Policies	No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
Important Information
ADA Considerations	The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
MyLamarPA	Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLamarPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you've logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the "My Courses" tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLamarPA.
Other	Note to students I would really like to speak with you if you have any questions or concerns! It's better to meet early in the course, than to wait until you have a major challenge. No question or concern is too small to discuss together. Most importantly, be assured that I want students to learn and receive the grade they deserve.
HB 2504	This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.