Beginning Statistics - 2nd year
Includes a study of descriptive and inferential statistics including data analysis, correlation and linear regression, probability distributions and assorted hypothesis testing. Emphasis will be placed on applications. Current statistical computer packages will be used.
Objectives:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Recognize and demonstrate comprehension of basic statistical terms;
2. Construct descriptive analysis and design presentation of univariate and bivariate data;
3. Engage in problem solving using the Theory of Probability and probability distributions;
4. Construct and apply normal probability distributions;
5. Compare and contrast the behavior of sample statistics and population parameters;
6. Construct a confidence interval for population means and execute various hypothesis tests.
Topics:
Course topics will include the following:
1. Elements of social scientific thinking
2. Statistics in research process (Yules’s Q, Tan C, Gamma, Sommer’s D, and Regression)
3. Hypothesis building
4. Operationalization of hypothesis
5. Frequency distribution and graphic presentation
6. Measures of central tendency and dispersion
7. Standardized score (Z score)
8. Introduction to statistical inference
9. Probability concepts
10. Normal distribution
11. Inequality theorem and central limit theorem
12. T distribution and F distribution
13. Testing hypotheses
14. Bivariate relationships
15. Analysis of variance
16. Analysis of categoric data/chi-square and measures of association
17. Bivariate correlation and regression
18. Ethics in social scientific statistical research
Method of Instruction:
1. Lecture
2. Discussion
3. Classroom Problem Solving Sessions
4. Survey Data Preparation
5. Survey Data Analyses and Presentations
6. Where appropriate, study and discussion of the development and use of the mathematics in the various cultures of the world
Types of Assignments:
1. Students will read the appropriate chapters of the textbooks to cover the material in the course objectives, approximately 40 pages per week. They will receive a quiz daily.
2. Students will write a research paper consisting of (1) building a hypothesis, (2) selecting variables, (3) collecting data, and (4) carrying out statistical analysis. At least four hours of the library work per week will be needed for the research paper.
Sample Text:
1. Elementary Statistics (Mario F. Triola, Addison Wesley, 1998)
