Online · School of Behavioral Sciences · Psychology

Statistics for the Social Sciences

PSYC-354

CG Section 8WK 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 Modified 12/12/2022  Course Description

Introduction to the descriptive statistics and probability, probability distributions, estimation, tests of hypotheses, and visual displays of data with applications in psychology and the other social sciences.

Requisites

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog (https://catalog.liberty.edu/).

 Rationale

Due to the often highly publicized nature of social science research, it is imperative for the student in the social sciences to have a basic understanding of statistics that aids in the description and interpretation of data at a basic level. This course is designed to give the student a working knowledge of the topics listed above with an emphasis on the application of statistical knowledge rather than the theory. This course will also further equip the student to succeed in upper-level statistics courses within his or her field of study. This course will provide the tools for understanding and interpreting basic statistical language and data visualizations encountered in research studies across the social science curriculum.

 Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

A. Describe the basic concepts of probability and statistics.

B. Analyze psychological data, both by hand and with SPSS.

C. Use critical thinking to solve everyday problems related to behavior and mental processes. D. Apply statistics within a biblical worldview.

E. Communicate the results of data analysis in appropriate APA format.

 Course Resources

Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are registered: Liberty University Online Bookstore (https://bncvirtual.com/liberty).

Additional Materials for Learning

A. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment

B. Internet access (broadband recommended)

C. Canvas recommended browser (https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/What-are-the-browser-and-

computer-requirements-for-Canvas/ta-p/66)

D. Microsoft Office

E. APA Formatting Information: https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=http%3A%2F%2FAPAStyleCENTRAL.apa.org

  (https\://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=http%3A%2F%2FAPAStyleCENTRAL.apa.org)

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 Course Assignments

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations (https://www.liberty.edu/institutional-effectiveness/student-

expectations/), the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview. Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be at least 300 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 150 words. (CLO A, C, D)

Mindtap Mastery Training Assignments (2)

Assignments depend on information gained from the Learn material in the assigned module. (CLO A, B, C)

SPSS Homework Assignments (4)

Assignments are SPSS-based and depend on information gained from the SPSS Tutorial Presentation(s) in the assigned module. (CLO A, B, C, E)

SPSS Assignment with Cumulative Section (1)

Assignment Homework is SPSS-based and depend on information gained from the SPSS Tutorial Presentation(s) in the assigned module. (CLO B, C, E)

Probability Assignment (1)

Assignment is based on information gained from the Learn material in the assigned module. (CLO B, C)

Hypothesis Testing Assignment (1)

Assignment is based on information gained from the Learn material in the assigned module. (CLO A, C, E)

Quizzes (8)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the module in which it is taken. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 15-20 multiple-choice and true/false questions, and have a time limit of 1 hour. (CLO A, B, C)

 Course Grading

  10

Discussions (2 at 50 pts ea) 100

SPSS Homework Assignments (4 at 60 points ea) 240

Course Requirements Checklist

Mindtap Mastery Training Assignments (1 at 30 pts; 1 at 35)

65

Probability Assignment

60

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Hypothesis Testing Assignment 60

SPSS Homework Assignment with Cumulative Section

100

Quizzes (1 at 60 pts; 7 at 45 pts each) 375

Total

1010

 Policies

Late Assignment Policy

Course Assignments, including discussions, exams, and other graded assignments, should be submitted on time.

If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email. Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive up to a 10% deduction.

2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive up to a 20% deduction.

3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted outside of special

circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by

the instructor.

4. Group projects, including group discussion threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be accepted after the due date

outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.

Disability Assistance

Students with a disability and those with medical conditions associated with pregnancy may contact Liberty University’s Online Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu for accommodations. Such accommodations require appropriate documentation of your condition. For more information about ODAS and the accommodations process, including how to request an accommodation, please visit https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation- support/ (https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation-support/). Requests for accommodations not related to disabilities or pregnancy must be directed to the Registrar’s Office, which generally handles medical needs support.

If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided, you may contact ODAS or the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email at equityandcompliance@liberty.edu. Click to see a full copy of Liberty’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Liberty+University+Discrimination,+Harassment,+and+Sexual+Misconduct+Policy) or

the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures (https://www.liberty.edu/disability-support/wp- content/uploads/sites/106/2022/01/Disability-Grievance-Procedures.pdf).

Course Attendance

In an effort to comply with U.S. Department of Education policies, attendance is measured by physical class attendance or any submission of a required assignment within the enrollment dates of the course (such as examinations, written papers or projects, any discussion posts, etc.) or initiating any communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject. More information regarding the attendance policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Online+Attendance+and+Non-Attendance) can be found in the Academic Course Catalogs (https://www.liberty.edu/academics/course-catalogs/). Regular attendance in online courses is expected throughout the length of the term. Students who do not attend within the first week of a sub-term by submitting a required academic assignment (such as the Course Requirements Checklist, an examination, written paper or project, discussion post, or other academic activity) will be dropped from the course. Students who wish to re-engage in the course are encouraged

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to contact Academic Advising to discuss their enrollment options. Students who begin an online course, but at some point in the semester cease attending, and do not provide official notification to withdraw, will be assigned a grade of “FN” (Failure for Non- Attendance (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Unofficial+Withdrawals)). Students wishing to withdraw from courses after the official start date should familiarize themselves with the withdrawal policy.

Grading Scale

ABCDF

900-1010 800-899 700-799 600-699 0-599

For courses with a Pass/NP final grade, please refer to the Course Grading section of this syllabus for the assignment requirements and/or point value required to earn a Passing final grade.

Add/Drop Policy

The full policy statement and procedures are published in the Policy Directory

(https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Dropping+and+Adding+Online+Classes). Honor Code

Liberty University comprises a network of students, Alumni, faculty, staff and supporters that together form a Christian community based upon the truth of the Bible. This truth defines our foundational principles, from our Doctrinal Statement to the Code of Honor. These principles irrevocably align Liberty University’s operational procedures with the long tradition of university culture, which remains distinctively Christian, designed to preserve and advance truth. Our desire is to create a safe, comfortable environment within our community of learning, and we extend our academic and spiritual resources to all of our students with the goal of fostering academic maturity, spiritual growth and character development.

Communities are predicated on shared values and goals. The Code of Honor, an expression of the values from which our Doctrinal Statement was born, defines the fundamental principles by which our community exists. At the core of this code lie two essential concepts: a belief in the significance of all individuals, and a reliance on the existence of objective truth.

While we acknowledge that some may disagree with various elements of the Code of Honor, we maintain the expectation that our students will commit to respect and uphold the Code while enrolled at Liberty University.

Adherence to the principles and concepts established within facilitates the success of our students and strengthens the Liberty community.

The Code of Honor can be viewed in its entirety at https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/ (https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/).

 Schedule

                             When Topic Notes

     Course Overview Student Acknowledgements Course Requirements Checklist

   Module 1: Week 1

Learn

Read: 2 items Watch: 2 items

    Apply

SPSS Homework: Frequency Tables, Histograms, and Bar Charts Assignment Quiz: Introduction to Statistics, Frequency Tables, and Graphs

 Module 2: Week 2

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 3 items

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 When Topic Notes

  Apply

SPSS Homework: Central Tendency Assignment

Discussion: Forming a Growth Mindset for Learning Statistics Quiz: Central Tendency

 Module 3: Week 3 Learn Read: 1 item Watch: 1 item

        Module 4: Week 4

Apply

Learn

SPSS Homework: Variability Assignment Quiz: Variability

Read: 1 item Watch: 3 items

      Apply

Mastery Training: z-Scores: Location of Scores and Standardized Distributions Assignment SPSS Homework: Testing Data for Normality Assignment

Quiz: Standard Deviation and z-Scores

 Module 5: Week 5

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 2 items

      Apply

Mastery Training: Probability Assignment Probability Assignment

Quiz: Probability

   Module 6: Week 6

Learn

Read: 3 items Watch: 1 item

    Apply

Discussion: Ethical Standards in Data Science and Psychology Quiz: The Distribution of Sample Means

   Module 7: Week 7

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 2 items

    Apply

Hypothesis Testing Assignment

Quiz: Introduction to Hypothesis Testing

   Module 8: Week 8

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 2 items

  Apply

SPSS Homework: One-Sample t-Test and Cumulative Questions Assignment Quiz: The One-Sample t-Test

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