SOCIOLOGY 316 RESEARCH METHODS I:  STATISTICS

Sociology 316 is a basic introductory course in statistics.  The primary purpose of the course is to
introduce you to statistical procedures used by social researchers.  Furthermore, the class concentrates
heavily on conceptualization and interpretation of statistics.  The material presented here will give you
the kind of foundation that will make it easy for you to master more advanced statistical material.  The
material will also assist you make more intelligent everyday choices in your role as a consumer, voter,
investor and citizen.

The course reviews both descriptive and inferential statistics.  Specific topics discussed include:
sampling distributions, standard errors, hypotheses testing, differences between means, t  Distributions
 and t -tests, and the Chi Square Distribution.   The material covered in the course assumes the student
 has a well-grounded background in basic algebra, has developed basic computational skills, and has
 sufficient logical grasp to conceptualize social problems in numerical and mathematical terms.  For these
 reasons satisfactory completion of GE Math requirement has been established as a prerequisite for taking
SOC316 or my permission.

The LAB is a required component of Sociology 316.  In this lab, you will learn to generate the correct
statistic by computer and perform an informed interpretation of your statistical findings.  I will start
under the assumption that you have absolutely no computer knowledge.  However, a mastery of the
following four objectives is imperative by the end of course.

1.       The technical skills to operate SAS/SPSS.  These statistical software packages are the accepted
 standard in the social sciences today.  They find wide use in graduate schools, public employers, and some private companies. 

2.       The ability to independently generate the descriptive and inferential statistics discussed in lectures.
 This includes but is not limited to frequency distribution, contingency tables, z-scores, regression
 and correlation analysis, sampling distributions of the mean, one sample t-tests, two sample
 t-tests  (independent and correlated) and chi square.

3.       The judgment to determine when to use what statistical technique.  In other words, decision
 making skills in performing empirical analysis and doing social science research.

4.       Last but not least, the ability to interpret your computer output in a manner that reflects a mastery
 of the theoretical ideas discussed in lab and lecture.

 

Relationship to GE and Departmental Goals:

          The skills learned in this course will aid you in the acquisition of employment (command of SAS/SPSS is marketable in a variety of settings), and  increase the probability of  you gaining entry and being  successful in a variety of graduate programs (i.e., sociology, political science, social work, public  health, psychology). Therefore, it reinforces the departmental goal that majors who successfully complete the sociology program will be well prepared for continued graduate study in the social sciences or appropriate employment.   Overall, the course develops the student's capacity to meet the departmental goal to understand the role of data analysis in the social sciences.http://www.winthrop.edu/cas/sociologyanthropology/default.aspx?id=10128.

Student Learning Outcomes in SOCL316 21184

The successful student in SOCL316 21184 will
-acquire and appreciate quantitative skills.
-develop critical thinking , problem solving skills, using a variety of research methods.
 -communicate social science findings in written form.

 SOCL 316 21184 and University Level Competencies addressed:

 SOCL316 21184 will help students make progress toward the following
 University Level Competencies:

                -Competency 1: Winthrop graduates think critically and solve problem.
                  (Evaluated in lab 7, as part departmental assessment). Statistical reasoning is a key
                   to challenging faulty arguments.

                -Competency 4: Winthrop graduates communicate effectively (note lab requirements).
                  All labs are typed and judged by ability to interpret numbers through words.

 REQUIREMENTS:

Materials:

1)    Spatz, Chris, Basic Statistics. , ed. 7th  or 9th or 10th.
       I will loan copies, but it  must be returned. This book is departmental property. It is on
       loan to you from the department to keep costs down for all students and you are
       therefore expected to return it when your coursework is done.  You will not be issued a  
       grade for this course until the book is returned or replaced. Additionally, you may be 
       prevented from registering for future courses until it is returned or replaced. 
2)    Wheelan, Charles "Naked Statistics" at Library
3)    Optional/Suggested:  Cronk, Brian. How to use SPSS (4th edition 2006 is under one dollar)
        great resource will help in SOCL516 too.
4)    Hand Calculator (with square root function) bring to class each day
5)    Spiral Notebook (for assigned text problems and lab projects)
6)    Jump drive for external storage.

Attendance:

This class has an attendance policy.  If you are not recorded as in attendance for 25% of classes, you will not receive a passing grade.  I will not give private lectures during office hours for those that miss class. I will not provide extra help to students that are not caught up on homework. 

Class Decorum:

I require acertain decorum to be exhibited.  If you are late, if you leave early (except lab), if your cell phone rings, or if you exhibited other rude behaviors, then you may have a points subtracted from your homework grade.  I also expect that a formal apology will be made to the class before I will return to my lecture.  You will need to come to the front of the class and say that you are sorry for distracting  me and the class from our task  of teaching and learning.  Chronic or severe acute violations will result (at my discretion) in the allocation of an "F" for the course. Cheating will be policed and University Policies will be followed.  Cheating includes having unauthorized materials on note cards such as copies of previous test questions/answers and practice test questions/answers. As noted in the Student Conduct Code:  “Responsibility for good conduct rests with students as adult individuals.” The policy on student academic misconduct is outlined in the “Student Conduct Code Academic Misconduct Policy” in the online Student Handbook (http://www2.winthrop.edu/studentaffairs/handbook/StudentHandbook.pdf).  

Students with Disabilities/Need of Accommodations for Access:

Winthrop University is committed to providing access to education.  If you have a condition which may adversely impact your ability to access academics and/or campus life, and you require specific accommodations to complete this course, contact the Office of Accessibility (OA) at 803-323-3290, or, accessibility@winthrop.edu. Please inform me as early as possible, once you have your official notice of accommodations from the Office of Accessibility.

EVALUATION:

Tests.  We will have four quizzes (worth 10 % each) and a midterm (15 %) and final (20%).  All lab quizzes, the midterm, and the final are cumulative.  Each of the first five tests will be administered in one of the scheduled laboratory periods.  Requests for make-ups on tests are only given in exceptional cases and only if arranged in advance.  Points will be detracted at my discretion for those failing to take tests at scheduled times.

 LAB ASSIGNMENTS:

The typical lab will consist of a short introductory lecture, an assignment and individual instruction in response to problems experienced by students in completing assignments. You may leave as soon as the lab has been completed to our joint satisfaction.  My previous experience indicates a wide variation in the amount of time required to complete assignments.  Lab reports will be typed. Each lab will be worth a maximum of four points.  A "four point" lab goes beyond simply producing the right number (statistical value) but also properly interpreting the output.  Clear and accurate written analysis is expected. Labs must be completed during scheduled times. The lab assignment will be available of my website: (http://faculty.winthrop.edu/marxj) or BB.

A point will be detracted for everyday that a lab is late.  Requests for extensions or make-ups are given only in exceptional cases and only if arranged in advance. An average lab assignment grade will be assigned based on your performance through the fall that corresponds with Winthrop's grading system:  4=A (90-100), 3.67=A-(87-89), 3.33=B+ (84-86); 3.00=B (80-83); 2.67=B-(77-79);  2.33=C+ (74-76);2=C (67-73), 1.33=D+ (64-66), 1.00=D (60-63) and  0=F (59 and below). 

NOTEBOOK--A spiral notebook with all homework assignments at the time of each test,  The final 5% of your grade relates to effort and performance of these assignments.  I will not accept a notebook for credit if it is obvious that the assignments were rushed and answers simply copied from the text.  After 30 years of teaching, I have a strong feel for this. Your completed notebook will remain the property of the Sociology and Anthropology Department.  Note that the decorum grade impacts this evaluation instrument.

Winthrop’s Academic Success Center is a free resource for all undergraduate students seeking to perform their best academically.  The ASC offers a variety of personalized and structured resources that help students achieve academic excellence, such as tutoring, academic skill development (test taking strategies, time management counseling, and study techniques), group and individual study spaces, and academic coaching.  The ASC is located on the first floor of Dinkins, Suite 106.  Please contact the ASC at 803-323-3929 or success@winthrop.edu.  For more information on ASC services, please visit www.winthrop.edu/success.

The students that have used this resource for the course have had great success. PLEASE registrar as soon as course starts.  If no interest is shown, the center reassigns tutors.

Tentative Test Dates* (homework and specific reading assignment will be posted on my website daily): 

January 25:       Quiz 1:   Doing Frequencies --Organization of Data

Febuary 15:      Quiz 2:  Univariate Analysis and Z-Scores --Central Tendency & Variability

March 7 :          Last day to withdraw from class. An automatic "N" will be assigned

March 8 :          MIDTERM.  Frequencies, Univariate Analysis, Regression and  Correlation, Plot –
                          Descriptive Statistics 

April 5:               Quiz 3:  Sampling Distributions & One-Sample tests

April 20:             Quiz 4:  Independent/Correlated Two-Sample tests (if time allows, 10% and material
                            often folded into final)

April  27 : Friday 8:00am  FINAL . It is scheduled  lab-day. Cumulative examination including Chi Square Home Work due for final section (turn in notebook).

 GRADE SCALE: 4=A (90-100), 3.67=A-(87-89), 3.33=B+ (84-86); 3.00=B (80-83); 2.67=B-(77-79); 2.33=C+ (74-76); 2=C** (67-73),  1.33=D+ (64-66), 1.00=D (60-63), 0=F (59 and below). 

** C or greater  required for SOCL516

*All syllabus items can be changed at the discretion of  Dr. Marx with reasonable notice to students.

All tests, labs and assignments must be completed for the allocation of a passing grade.**A "C" is required in SOCL316 to be able to enroll in SOCL516.   Course cannot be taken pass/fail.