Psy 230 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (000653)
Fall 2017

Tentative Schedule

Syllabus Information 

Required Materials: 
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences. (2017, 10th edition). F.J. Gravetter & L.B. Wallnau.

**One semester of Aplia access**Discounted and bundled with the stats text in MSUM bookstore.

A Simple Guide to IBM SPSS Statistics for Version 22.0 (2015). L.A. Kirkpatrick & B.C. Feeney. 
 Note: Version 20.0 (2013) will work, too.

Prerequisites: Psychology 113 (and College Algebra is highly recommended)

Course Description: This course covers descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, and basic inferential statistics. T-test and analysis of variance are introduced across various experimental designs. Simple (bivariate) correlation and regression are also covered. A lab using statistical analysis software is included.

General Learning Outcomes: By the time the semester is completed students are expected to know the following:

• How to evaluate various sources of information, printed or electronic.
• What are variables and how are they manipulated.
• How to use descriptive statistics and graphically summarize data.
• How to conduct correlations and regression analyses.
• What is the logic behind hypothesis testing and why it is important to understand.
• How to conduct the t-test for one sample, independent samples, and related samples.
• More complex research designs, such as between and within with one or more factors.
• Inferential statistical procedures such as t-test and various ANOVA analyses.
• When to use multiple comparison tests and how to select the appropriate test.
• Other techniques such as chi-square test, appropriate when individuals are classified into different categories.
• Use statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS) to conduct the analyses described above.
• Use APA format to report statistical findings.

Assigned Reading: Reading assignments will come from the two texts (Designated G&W and K&F in the course schedule). These readings should be completed before class. It is expected that students keep up with reading assignments and raise questions as necessary.

Lab Assignments: (100 pts) There will be 10 lab assignments worth 10 points each. Assignments will be posted on the web and discussed in class. Most assignments will require in-lab computer tasks designed to provide hands-on experience with concepts and analyses presented during lecture sessions.  Lab assignments often will require the use of information covered in lecture; additional directions and help will be available during lab meetings.  Missing more than a couple of class meetings will surely affect your grades on corresponding lab assignments. Missing lab sessions will require you to make up in-lab activities completely on your own time and will often result in your inability to complete the assignment on time. Even with normal attendance, some lab assignments may require continued work on the student's own time.  Supporting resources are available to all students (in textbook, handout, or on-line form); students are expected to learn to use these resources effectively to maximize learning and independence.

Due dates for lab assignments will be posted on D2L Brightspace and the course website schedule. Assignments must be submitted to the appropriate D2L assignment drop box on or before the due date.  Assignments must be typed, with all calculations displayed (if applicable) and the final answer clearly marked. Please be sure to indicate your name and lab day on all assignments.

Assignments may not be submitted via email. Late assignments will not be accepted without a doctor’s excuse or other supporting documentation; there will be no exceptions. Lab sessions are scheduled for Tuesdays (section 000654) or Thursdays (section 000655) from 12-1:50 pm in Bridges 364. Please remember to register for the appropriate lab session in addition to registering for the course. You must attend the lab session for which you are registered unless you receive permission from the professor beforehand. Always bring the current stats chapters and SPSS text to lab, as well as a calculator.

On-line Assignments: (100 pts) All students are required to purchase one semester of Aplia access via the bookstore bundle or on-line. You will have an on-line Aplia assignment (required) to complete for most covered chapters in the Gravetter & Wallnau statistics text. Details will be discussed in class. You will also have the opportunity to engage in non-graded practice problems in Aplia to further your understanding and practice before completing the graded Aplia assignments. Aplia also creates custom review exercises (optional and not graded) based upon your performance on the graded assignments.

In-Class Checks: (64 pts) Short in-class problem sets will be presented for opportunities to check your understanding of recently covered material. There will be 10 checks presented but grades will be based on 8 checks (worth 8 points each).  This means that students may miss two checks throughout the semester. If students complete more than 8 checks, those points will be added as extra credit (16 points max from checks). Checks will be unannounced; therefore attendance is crucial in order to gain these points. Both completion and accuracy will be scored. Checks must be completed individually (no group work). Students may use a calculator, consult the text, notes, and other course materials; however, students must complete the questions in the time span allotted (usually about 10 minutes). There will be no make-ups for in-class checks. See the professor if you have an extended absence with a doctor’s excuse.

 Exams: (220 pts) This class will have 4 exams, including a cumulative final exam. Exams 1, 2, and 3 will be unit exams worth 40 points each. Exam 4 (the cumulative final) will be worth 100 points. The questions will be a combination of short answer, computation, multiple choice, and true/false formats.

Make-Up Policy: If you know you will miss an exam due to an excused absence, alert the instructor about 2 weeks prior to the exam so that arrangements can be made for you to take the test before the scheduled time. Early exams will not be given for unexcused absences (like wanting to start your weekend/vacation early). If you miss an exam for medical reasons, you must provide documentation of illness. Any request to take an exam after the scheduled time must be accompanied by a written excuse from the health center or attending physician (in the case of a medical reason) or some other kind of documentation. Otherwise, no make-up exam will be given. I reserve the right to refuse a make-up for an unexcused missed exam.

Extra Credit: Extra credit may be earned by completing extra in-class checks as described above and/or participating in research studies conducted in the psychology department. Your professor will provide the details regarding this research extra credit opportunity.  A maximum of 10 extra credit points may be earned through research extra credit.

Course Grading Policy: Final grades will be determined from a total of 484 points. Final grades will be assigned as follows: 
A = 433-484 points (90-100%)
B = 385-432 points (80-89%)
C = 336-384 points (70-79%)
D = 288-335 points (60-69%)
F = 287 points or less (59% or less)

IMPORTANT: These grade cut-offs are fixed. I will not make exceptions for students on the borders of grade categories. The borders have already been relaxed to account for rounding, so monitor your progress and earn any necessary extra credit points to secure your grade category. 

Student Responsibilities: It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of all information in the syllabus, including dates and procedures for assignments and grading; to frequently check the course web page for class announcements or changes; to complete the reading assignments before each class, to take an active role in learning the material; to seek out help from the professor as needed in a timely fashion; to monitor your performance in this class, including keeping track of your grades; and to inform the professor ahead of time in the case of special needs. Please arrive and leave class on time, so as not to disturb the professor or other students. Also, please remember to silence and put away phones and other electronic devices before class begins. Students displaying disruptive behavior will be asked to leave class.

 Incompletes: No incompletes will be given unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. University policy requires that the student sign a "Removal of Incomplete" contract with the instructor for completion of the work. Under this policy, an incomplete will automatically be converted to an F if the work is not completed in one semester.

Academic honesty: Copying test answers or papers from classmates or other sources (including the web) is considered plagiarism and is the equivalent of scholarly or "literary" stealing. Such activities reflect shabby standards of personal integrity and such conduct is professionally unethical. In the event that you are caught plagiarizing or copying, you will be failed in the course, regardless of the level of work on other class activities. For more information, see the MSUM Student Handbook.  https://www.mnstate.edu/student-handbook/

Special Accommodations: Minnesota State University Moorhead is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. Accessibility Resources (AR) is the campus office that collaborates with students who have disabilities to provide and/or arrange accommodations.

• If you have, or think you may have, a disability (e.g. mental health, attentional, learning, chronic health, sensory or physical) please contact the AR at (218) 477-4318 (V) or (800)627.3529 (MRS/TTY) to schedule an appointment for an intake.
• Additional information is available on the AR website: http://www.mnstate.edu/accessibility

If you are registered with the AR and have a current Accommodation Letter, please schedule an appointment to visit with me during my office hours to discuss implementation of your accommodations.

Sexual Violence:  Acts of sexual violence are intolerable. MSUM expects all members of the campus community to act in a manner that does not infringe on the rights of others. We are committed to eliminating all acts of sexual violence.

MSUM faculty and staff are concerned about the well-being and development of our students. We are obligated to share information with the MSUM Title IX Coordinator in certain situations to help ensure that the students’ safety and welfare is being addressed, consistent with the requirements of the law. These disclosures include but are not limited to reports of sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking.

If you have experienced or know someone who has experienced sexual violence, services and resources are available. You may also choose to file a report. For further information, contact Lynn Peterson, Coordinator of Sexual Assault Services at Hendrix Clinic and Counseling Center, 218-477-2211, or Ashley Atteberry, Title IX Coordinator in Owens Hall 208 (218-477-2174); ashley.atteberry@mnstate.edu. Additional information is available at: www.mnstate.edu/titleix .