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SOC 222: Measuring the Social World (Summer 2022)

Course Description:

This course introduces students to the logic and tools social scientists use to measure social phenomena in order to shed light on important research questions. Students will learn how to define and describe variables, develop and test the relationship between variables, and infer about the population using limited sample information. Students engage with the material on both conceptual and mechanical levels. Labs are an integral part of the course. Students will learn the basics of analyzing large data sets, like the General Social Survey, with a widely used software package, SPSS. The course draws from a variety of sociological examples – from crime to inequality to political participation to family and demography – across a variety of Canadian, American and international contexts. This class is intended to provide students with the skills needed to become an informed consumer of scientific research reported in the popular media as well as in scholarly articles and books. SOC 222 also prepares students for SOC 350 which provides a more advanced introduction to regression analysis.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the prerequisites for this course have been met. Students without the prerequisites can be removed at any time. No waivers will be granted.

Practical Sessions (Labs):

**** You MUST register for one of the practical sections ****

In addition to weekly lectures, an important component of the course is the weekly practical sections held by the TA’s. These sections are meant to provide a brief systematic review of the week’s material.

Note that four times during the term (see course schedule in the syllabus), practical sections will serve as computer labs where students will use SPSS to practice for the brief lab assignments.  TA’s will go through examples of SPSS commands and output during lab time. This will help prepare students for the lab assignment (homework) which must be completed on students’ own time. Students should review the assigned chapters in the Wagner book prior to the lab.

**** You must download Citrix Receiver in order to use SPSS software remotely ****

Please visit the Information and Instructional Technology website:  https://uoft.service-now.com/utm_iits?id=kb_article&sysparm_article=KB0011866&sys_kb_id=290713d51bc7d8d0942754a51a4bcb53&spa=1  

All technical questions about Quercus and Citrix should be directed to the help desk: [email protected] or 905-828-5344

The University of Toronto recommends for those who believe they have issues with internet connectivity to follow this link https://www.utoronto.ca/covid19-contact  The student will get a response that directs them to a website with instructions on how to access VPN. Do this before test day please.

*** All technical issues including issues with your personal internet connection, web browsers, hardware (“crashes”) and uploading documents must be addressed by the user. To avoid problems with on-time submissions, please do not wait until the last minute to submit work of any kind. 11th hour e-mails sent to the instructor or TAs about this will result in a response pointing students to the policy outlined in this syllabus.***

Learning Goals and Objectives:

Measurement:

· Understand the different ways in which concepts are transformed into variables as well as how operational definitions are generated, and how variables are measured.

· Write hypotheses with clear mention of dependent and independent variables and the proposed direction of their relationship.

Descriptive and Inferential Statistics

· Use and interpret descriptive statistics designed to summarize data, such as frequency distributions, graphs, and measures of central tendency and dispersion.

· Understand the concept of the normal distribution and the ways in which assumptions about normality allows us to use various methods, including standardized scores.

· Interpret p-values and understand the meaning of statistical significance.

· Understand the logic underlying basic inferential statistics, such as the estimation of population values from sample information through the use of confidence intervals and hypothesis testing.

Relationships between Categorical Variables, Bivariate/Multiple Regression

· Examine the relationship between variables through the use of cross-tabulations and scatter-plots.

· Examine the relationship between categorical variables using Gamma and Lambda, as well as Chi-Square.

· Understand the basic assumptions of bivariate OLS regression and the best fitting line.

· Understand the concept and practice of statistical controls and the methods involved in multivariate OLS regression.

· Develop the ability to interpret regression coefficients and the coefficient of determination (r2).

Research/Labs

· Interpret findings in research articles and understand the methodology used in relation to the conclusions made in those scholarly articles.

· Use SPSS to analyze data and apply concepts and techniques learned in class. We will be using the 2002 General Social Survey (GSS) Data in the lab tutorials and for the lab assignments.

Course Materials: 

Frankfort-Nachmias, Chava, Anna Leon-Guerrero, Georgiann Davis. Social

Statistics for a Diverse Society. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press, 9th (latest) edition. 

Wagner, William E. Using SPSS for Social Statistics and Research Methods and Social Science Statistics. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press, 7th (latest) edition. 

GSS data (2002) is available on the lab computers in SPSS format. You will need CITRIX to access the data remotely.

****You should consult your required texts regularly and have access to a regular calculator.  Students are discouraged from using calculator functions (such as the standard deviation function) to solve problems. Note that students should follow all the steps necessary for solving a problem and showing the work is highly recommended. Calculators should not replace that process. Importantly, if a mistake is made in entering values, the final calculator output might be incorrect. If incorrect, it will be difficult ascertaining what went wrong if students avoided the process and the work. Calculators should be used as an aid not as a substitute. ****

All narrated PowerPoint lecture slides, assignments, labs and practice tests will be available to students via Quercus. You must download and save the lecture slides then play as a slideshow if you want to hear the audio. 

Assessment and Expectations:

Below is the breakdown of assessment. For more information on due dates, please see the schedule and quick view calendar at the end of the syllabus. ***All assignments and tests are conducted and submitted through Quercus. DO NOT SUBMIT ANY WORK BY EMAIL! ***

Homework Assignments (due July 11, July 20, Aug 10) ………………………….30%  

Lab Assignments (due July 8, July 15, July 29, Aug 8)…………………………….15%

Midterm Test (July 20)……………………………………………………… ….25%

Final Test (Aug 10)…………………………………………………………….....25%

In-class Activities ………………………………………………………. …..........5%

You will receive at least one significant mark (15%) before the last day you can drop a course without academic penalty. Please note that Grades in Quercus gives early access to preliminary grades; it does not represent your official final marks.

Webinar participation is meant to reward student engagement in class. Synchronous involvement is an essential component in successfully acquiring a working understanding of the concept and themes discussed in this course. That is, relying solely on asynchronous content is insufficient for successful completion of this course.

NOTE: Lab and homework assignments are never accepted by email. All homework and lab assignments are completed, marked and “returned” online through Quercus within the time frame specified (see syllabus for due dates). You will be asked to justify your answer and to show your work where necessary. This means you will be required to upload files (through clear scans or clear photos of your handwritten work) to Quercus.

IMPORTANT:

 

Common image files accepted for Quercus are .jpeg and .png files (check the Student info site on Quercus for others).  Alternatively, you can copy and paste your photos into a word (.docx) or PDF file (.pdf ) and upload them this way. Our experience has been that students have an easier and quicker time using PDF (although this varies based on student experience, available technology and internet connectivity).

****It is your responsibility to make sure you use acceptable file types. We will not mark or reconsider work submitted in the wrong file type or where work has not been uploaded due to “technical failures”.****

*** All technical issues including issues with your personal internet connection, web browsers, hardware (“crashes”) and uploading documents must be addressed by the user. To avoid problems with on-time submissions, please do not wait until the last minute to submit work of any kind. 11th hour e-mails sent to the instructor or TAs about this will result in a response pointing students to the policy outlined in this syllabus.***

Fifty percent of the assessment is based on a mix of open-ended questions, mathematical problem solving and written lab assignments. The other fifty percent is based on two online essay tests. You will be required to upload your work. Failure to do so will result in a penalty.

**** Lab homework assignments are based on the preparation provided in lab practical sections. The assignment portion of the lab is to be completed as homework on your own time. Note: although you are required to produce SPSS output to answer the lab assignment questions, we do not collect SPSS output with your assignment.****

This course is broken down into frequent, shorter assignments and labs making learning and assessment more manageable. This also affords students the opportunity to approach the material in different ways providing a comprehensive understanding of the main themes.

The midterm and final tests are conducted online through Quercus. Tests are open-book, open-ended format (not multiple choice) consisting of a mix of problem solving, conceptual and SPSS output-interpreting type questions. You will be required to upload your work on certain questions in order to receive credit. You have one attempt at taking the test but can take it at any time between 7am and 11pm on test day. It is due at 11pm, so you should not start the test later than 9:30PM. Once started, you have 150 minutes (2.5 hours) to complete the test. This is more than ample time. Collaborating with anyone, registered in this course or not, on the test is absolutely forbidden, considered cheating and, any suspicions as such will be dealt with accordingly.  Test questions are randomized from a test bank so no two students will have the same test questions, or question ordering. Once you answer a question, you will not be able to return to it. We will closely examine irregularities in response patterns and uploaded work.

Procedures and Rules:

Successful completion of this course requires basic knowledge of Quercus and software provided by UTM. All assignments, lectures, tests and practical sections are offered online which means you will require reliable internet connectivity to complete the course.  Please plan accordingly. Do not wait until the last minute to submit work online. Unless there is a campus-wide failure with Quercus recognized by the University, we will not accept work that is incomplete because you experienced a “technical problem” at the last minute. If you are indeed having a technical problem, please contact the help desk: [email protected] or 905-828-5344

Missed Assignments

Effective class management by the instructor and the TAs requires your cooperation. Please read the section below carefully.

By default, students who miss a term test or submit an assignment after the deadline will be assigned a mark of zero for the test, or will lose a percentage of the assignment mark for each late day.

In the case of homework assignments and labs, you are expected to plan ahead. Accommodations must be made with either the instructor or the TAs ahead of time (with appropriate justification, see section on accommodations for more information). Assignments will be penalized 1 point of their weight of the total course grade (minus 1 out of 100, and so on) for each weekday the assignment is late for a maximum penalty equal to the weight of the assignment.  For example, a homework assignment may be graded out of 30 points but is worth 10% of the course grade. If the assignment is late one day, you will lose 1 point out of the 10 (its weight in the course) up to a maximum of a 10-point loss from the total course grade. Any missed homework or lab assignments cannot be handed in once said assignments are returned to students since the solutions/answers will have been released.

Submitting assignments/labs after the due date requires submission of appropriate justification (such as a medical note).  Reasons such as holidays, pre-purchased plane tickets, family plans (unless critical, such as death of an immediate family member), attending a wedding, lack of preparation, technology failure, or too many commitments are not considered to be beyond a student’s control and will not be accommodated.

However, students may request special consideration from the department (not the instructor) for missed tests/quizzes or late assignments late due to reasons beyond the student’s control, including illness or injury, disability, religious observances (i.e., holy days), other unplanned circumstances entirely beyond the student’s control (e.g., a court subpoena, a funeral, a car accident).

Students should consult the Verification of Student Injury or Illness form available at: http://www.illnessverification.utoronto.ca). You must also declare your absence on ROSI.

****This course has no drop box. Please DO NOT turn in homework or lab assignments into a drop box! DO NOT EMAIL ASSIGNMENTS. Only assignments submitted correctly through Quercus will be marked.

*Please note:

You may not submit a special consideration request to re-write a test/quiz once the test has begun. If you are feeling ill, you must leave the room before starting your test/quiz and seek medical attention immediately. If you miss an item of term work and do not complete the missed item or any make-up by the examination period, you must submit a petition for an extension of time beyond end of term through the Office of the Registrar: https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/registrar/current-students/petitions.

If you miss an assignment deadline due to circumstances beyond your control and seek an extension of time beyond the due date, please complete the following steps in order to be considered for academic accommodation:

1. Submit an online special consideration request form within three (3) days (including weekends and holidays) of the assignment due date. https://app.utm.utoronto.ca/SpecialRequest/.

2. Submit appropriate supporting documentation within three (3) days (including weekends and holidays) of the assignment due date via email to [email protected] or the dropbox for supporting documentation located in the Department of Sociology. All documentation must be in its original form. If you submit documentation electronically (as a PDF or JPEG attachment ONLY), ensure it is legible and retain the original copy in case you are asked to present it later.

a. If illness/injury is cited as the reason for the missed deadline, you must submit a UofT Verification of Student Illness or Injury form (VOI) stating you were examined and diagnosed the day of the missed deadline or immediately after (i.e., the next day), and indicating a serious degree of incapacitation on academic functioning (e.g., unable to complete an assignment, unable to write a test/examination). The VOI must also include a statement by the physician that explicitly notes the precise period that you are unable to complete your assignment. A statement from a physician that merely confirms a report (after the fact) of illness/injury made by the student is not acceptable. If you need additional extensions for the same assignment, you must follow the aforementioned procedures with the same physician.

b. If you missed at test for a reason connected to your registered disability, the department can only accept documentation provided by Accessibility Services.

c. Other documentation can include, but is not limited to: a U of T Verification of Extenuating Circumstances form; automobile collision or police reports; a death certificate; and supporting documentation from employers, lawyers and other professional persons. When in doubt, consult the sociology academic counsellor regarding appropriate.

d. For an extension, supporting documentation must specify the exact period that you were unable to complete your assignment. The department will then determine if any extension is merited and if so, the period of extension approved. For extensions of time beyond the examination period, you must submit a petition for an extension of time beyond end of term through the Office of the Registrar.

e. The department may request additional documentation in order to assess your case fully. 

Missed Test

If you miss a test due to circumstances beyond your control, please complete the following steps in order to be considered for academic accommodation:

1. Submit an online special consideration request form within three (3) days (including weekends and holidays) of the missed test date via https://app.utm.utoronto.ca/SpecialRequest/.

2. Submit appropriate supporting documentation within three (3) days( including weekends and holidays) of the missed test date via email to [email protected] or the dropbox for supporting documentation located in the Department of Sociology. All documentation must be in its original form. If you submit documentation electronically (as a PDF or JPEG attachment ONLY), ensure it is legible and retain the original copy in case you are asked to present it later.

a. If illness/injury is cited as the reason for the missed test, you must submit a UofT Verification of Student Illnessor Injury form (VOI) stating you were examined and diagnosed on the day of the test or immediately after (i.e., the next day), and indicating a serious degree of incapacitation on academic functioning (e.g., unable to complete an assignment, unable to write a test/examination). The VOI must also include a statement by the physician that explicitly notes you are unable to write the test on the date concerned. A statement from a physician that merely confirms a report (after the fact) of illness/injury made by the student is not acceptable.

b. If you missed at test for a reason connected to your registered disability, the department can only accept documentation provided by Accessibility Services.

c. Other documentation can include, but is not limited to: a U of T Verification of Extenuating Circumstances form; automobile collision or police reports; a death certificate; and supporting documentation from employers, lawyers and other professional persons. When in doubt, consult the sociology academic counsellor regarding appropriate supporting documentation for your special consideration request.

d. The department may request additional documentation in order to assess your case fully.

The department evaluates special consideration requests carefully and approval is not guaranteed.

If there is concern about your special consideration request(s), your request may be refused and/or you may be asked to meet with an Associate Chair. If you have multiple special consideration requests (excluding requests pertaining to a documented disability with appropriate supporting documentation), your request may be refused.

If you do not comply with the above instructions and timelines, or if your special consideration request is deemed unacceptable, your request will be denied and you will receive a grade of zero for the item you missed.

If the department approves your special consideration request, the instructor will determine whether you will be required to complete an oral test, an extended assignment or an alternative online test in lieu of the original test; the instructor's determination is non-negotiable.

****Make-up tests are not in the same format as the regular test.  Like the regular test however, you will be asked conceptual, SPSS output, and mathematical problem-solving questions – and you may be asked to reply orally or in essay format for each type.****

If you do not complete the make-up as and when required, you will receive a grade of zero for the original missed test; further special consideration is not permitted.

The department (not the instructor) will inform you of the decision on your special consideration request via email to your U of T email account typically within one (1) week. However, you must be prepared for a make-up at any point after your original missed test.

Please note:

Make-up tests may be scheduled during study break.

Make-up tests may be scheduled during reading week, only if mutually agreed upon by instructor and student.

Make-up tests are not held during the examination periods.

False statements and/or documentation will be treated as academic offences and handled accordingly.

Grade Appeals:

A student who believes that their written term work has a substantive error in grading may ask the person who marked the work for re-evaluation. Students have up to one month from the date of return of an item of term work or from the date the mark was made available to inquire about the mark and file an appeal. For example, should the work be returned or the mark be made available on March 3rd, the student has until April 3rd to inquire in writing and start the remarking process. Instructors must acknowledge receipt of a student request for remarking within 3-working days, and decisions should be provided in a timely fashion.

If an academic misconduct case is in progress for the piece of term work in question, a student may not appeal until the matter is resolved.

Details

Regrade requests for term work worth less than 20% of the final mark may be submitted to the person who marked the work for re-evaluation (e.g., TA). The student must submit (1) the original piece of work and (2) a written explanation detailing why they believe the work was unfairly/incorrectly marked. If the student is not satisfied with this re-evaluation, he or she may appeal to the instructor in charge of the course if the work was not marked by the instructor (e.g., was marked by a TA). In those instances where the instructor was not the one who marked the work, the student must now submit to the instructor (1) the original piece of work, (2) the written reasons as to why they believe the work was unfairly/incorrectly marked, and (3) communications from the original marker as to why no change in mark was made. If a remarking is granted by an instructor, the student must accept the resulting mark as the new mark, whether it goes up or down or remains the same. Continuing with the remark or the appeal means the student accepts this condition. Instructors and TAs should ensure all communication with the student is in writing (e.g. follow-up email) and keep a copy for later reference.

Only term work worth at least 20% of the course mark may be appealed beyond the instructor. Such appeals must first follow the same guidelines as those mentioned directly above for work worth less than 20%. To escalate an appeal beyond the instructor, the student must submit to the academic counsellor (1) all previous communications between the student, original marker, and the instructor (2) the detailed reason(s) documenting why the mark for the work was inappropriate and (3) the original piece of work. If the department believes that re-marking is justified, the department shall select an independent reader. The student must agree in writing to be bound by the results of the re-reading process or abandon the appeal. Again, the student must accept that the mark resulting from the appeal may be higher or lower or the same as the original mark.

Where possible, the independent reader should be given a clean, anonymous copy of the work. Without knowing the original assigned mark, the reader shall determine a mark for the work. The marking of the work should be considered within the context of the course of instruction for which it was submitted. If the new mark differs substantially from the original mark, the department shall determine a final mark taking into account both available marks.

The final level of appeal is to the Dean’s Office. Appeals must already have been considered at the two previous levels (Instructor followed by Department), with the decision reviewed by the head of the academic unit, before they will be considered by the Dean’s Office. Appeals must be submitted in writing, and include all previous correspondence, as soon as possible after the student receives the final response from the academic unit, but no later than one month after. Appeals to the Dean’s Office about the marking of term work will be reviewed to ensure that appropriate procedures have been followed in earlier appeals, that the student has been treated fairly, and that the standards applied have been consistent with those applied to other students doing the assignment. Any mark resulting from such an appeal will become the new mark, whether it is higher or lower or the same as the previous one.

This process applies only to term work; appeals for re-reads of final examinations are handled directly by the Office of the Registrar .

Accessibility and Accommodations:

*** All time extensions indicated on AccessAbility letters for tests will be applied to online work ***

The University provides academic accommodations for students with disabilities in accordance with the terms of the Ontario Human Rights Code, including those who have a physical, sensory, or learning disability, mental health condition, acquired brain injury, or chronic health condition, be it visible or hidden.

If you have a disability or health consideration that may require accommodations, please approach Accessibility Services as soon as possible. The Accessibility staff are available by appointment to assess specific needs, provide referrals and arrange appropriate accommodations. The sooner you let us know your needs, the quicker we can assist you in achieving your learning goals in this course.

If you are registered with Accessibility Services and want to request an extension of time for an assignment in advance of the due date (based on an accommodation letter already provided to your instructor), please email both your instructor and your Accessibility Advisor directly in order to obtain approval.

AccessAbility Centre. We take seriously our obligation to make this course as welcoming and accessible as feasible for students with diverse needs. Students are encouraged to registrar with the Centre (and, if appropriate, alert the instructor) as early in the term as possible. In many instances it is easier to arrange certain accommodations with more advance notice, so we strongly encourage you to act as quickly as possible. With that said we understand that disabilities can change over time and will do our best to accommodate you. Students seeking support must have an intake interview with a disability advisor to discuss their individual needs. To schedule a registration appointment with a disability advisor, please call the Centre at 905-569-4699 or e-mail at: [email protected]. See also http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/access.

The Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre offers workshops, seminars and individual appointments to help students identify and develop their skills. It is located in Rm 390 of the Library, online at http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/asc/undergraduate-students and can be reached at (905) 828-3858.

A variety of other student resources can be found on the UTM website under “Current Students,” http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/sas/, including academic services, registrar and registration services, diversity & equity, administrative services, and others.

Equity and Diversity:

The University of Toronto is committed to equity and respect for diversity. All members of the learning environment in this course should strive to create an atmosphere of mutual respect. As a course instructor, I will neither condone nor tolerate behaviour that undermines the dignity or self-esteem of any individual in this course and wish to be alerted to any attempt to create an intimidating or hostile environment. It is our collective responsibility to create a space that is inclusive and welcomes discussion. Discrimination, harassment and hate speech will not be tolerated. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns you may contact the UTM Equity and Diversity officer at [email protected] or the University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union Vice President Equity at [email protected].

Conduct:

Please refrain from talking to your classmates and other generally disruptive behaviors such as using your phone (that also means texting), and using your laptop for purposes other than taking notes. Everyone deserves an opportunity to be in an environment where learning can take place unhindered, and any obstacles in maintaining an environment conducive to learning will not be tolerated. This class requires active involvement and attendance. While there is no official attendance record kept for the course, participation by way of in-class and in-tutorial exercises (i.e., these are completed and collected in class/tutorial) account for 15% of the total course grade. These cannot be made-up outside of class time.

Plagiarism: Using someone else’s words or ideas as if they were your own (or allowing someone else to use your words or ideas as their own) is grounds for denial of credit for the assignment and notification to the Dean’s office for adjudication and punishment. Any student abetting or otherwise assisting in such misconduct will also be subject to academic penalties. Plagiarism includes copying answers from the back of the textbook (if applicable) and pretending they are your own. You are expected to have read and understood the on-line document “How Not to Plagiarize” (http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/using-sources/how-not-to-plagiarize).

You may seek practical help from your peers, for example, in using SPSS, but please be aware that we will keep an eye on patterns and irregularities in lab and homework assignment responses. Labs and homework assignments are not group work.

Copying, plagiarizing, falsifying medical certificates, or other forms of academic misconduct will not be tolerated.  Any student caught engaging in such activities will be referred to the Dean’s office for adjudication and punishment.  Any student abetting or otherwise assisting in such misconduct will also be subject to academic penalties.

By enrolling in this course, you agree to abide by the university’s rules regarding academic conduct, as outlined in the Calendar. You are expected to be familiar with the “Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters Please consult the Student Code of Conduct: (http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/policies/studentc.htm).

Electronic communication and electronic learning technology: Email communication is rapid, convenient, and efficient—and you are encouraged to use it to enhance your learning and experience in the course. With that said, it is essential that you follow a few rules:

· Assignments will not be accepted via email.

· All course communication should be conducted through Quercus or your utoronto account.

· All emails must include the course code (e.g., SOC222) in the subject line.

· All emails should be signed with the student’s full name and student number.

· Treat emails as you would any other professional communication.

· Due to the large amount of emails, emails that ask questions that are answered in the course syllabus or website (e.g., “how much is assignment X worth”) will not receive a response.

· Some questions cannot be answered via email and you may be asked to come to office hours so that the TA or myself can better assist you.

Videotaping and recording lectures is strictly forbidden without written permission from the instructor.

Course, Lab and Practical Section Schedule:

July 4  - Introduction to course expectations; Hypotheses and Variables; Levels of

     Measurement

              Reading: Social Statistics Ch. 1

Practical Section/Lab 1 (July 4): Introduction by TA, expectations about synchronous and asynchronous material, tutorials v. labs, intro to Citrix

July 6 Measures of Central Tendency & Measures of Variability (Dispersion)

Reading: Social Statistics Ch. 2 (for graphs focus only on Histogram)

   Social Statistics Ch. 3

   Social Statistics Ch. 4 (skip IQV pp. 115-117)   

Practical Section/Lab 2 (July 6): Intro to SPSS, Opening/Saving Data, and Transforming

                Variables

Reading: Wagner Chs. 1 & 2                    

July 11 - Normal Distributions, Z-scores and the Standard Normal table

Social Statistics Ch. 5 

Practical Section/Lab 3 (July 11):  Describing Data using SPSS

  Reading: Wagner Chs. 4 & 5  (focus on box plot pp 65-75 and histogram pp.

                                    79-82 only) 

July 13  Sampling Methods and Sampling Distributions

Reading: Social Statistics Ch. 6 

Practical Section/Lab 4 (July 13) – review of key concepts: Measures of Central Tendency & Measures of Variability, Normal Distributions, Z-scores and the Standard Normal table, Sampling distribution     

July 8 **** Lab 1 due ****

July 11 ****Homework 1 due****

July 18 - Estimation: Confidence Intervals & Hypothesis Testing

Reading:  Social Statistics Ch. 7 (skip proportions pp. 224-227)

   Social Statistics Ch. 8 (skip two sample means & proportions pp.  

    253-256)

Practical Section/Lab 5 (July 18) – review of key concepts: Sampling Methods and Sampling Distributions, Confidence Intervals & Hypothesis Testing

                 July 15 **** Lab 2 due **** 

       July 20 **** Homework 2 due****

July 20 – Midterm test

***No practical section July 20 ***

July 25-   Bivariate Relationships (Cross Tabulations), Elaboration and control variables

Reading: Social Statistics Ch. 9

Measures of Association for Categorical Data (Lambda and Gamma) & Chi-

     Square Tests.

       Reading: Social Statistics Ch. 10 (skip Cramer’s V and Tau-b, & only interpret

               Gamma)

Practical Section/Lab 6 (July 25): ): Cross-Tabs and Measures of Association in SPSS

                                    Reading: Wagner Ch. 6 (pp. 103-111 on Chi-2) & Ch. 7   

July 27 – – Linear Prediction, Least Squares Line

Reading: Social Statistics Ch. 12 pp. 401-411

Practical Section/Lab 7 (July 27) Practical Section/Lab 8 (Aug 3): review of concepts: Lambda, Gamma and Chi-2, OLS regression

July 29 ****Lab 3 due**** 

Aug 3 –  Coefficient of Determination (r2) and Multiple Regression

Reading: Social Statistics Ch. 12 pp. 414-418, 422-426 

Practical Section/Lab 8 (Aug 3): Regression in SPSS

Reading: Wagner Ch. 8  

Aug 8 –No Class

Aug 8 - Practical Section/Lab 9 (Aug 8): Final test review

Aug 8 ****Lab 4 due **** 

     Aug 10  **** Homework 3 due****

Aug 10 - Final Test  

***No practical section Aug 10 ***