Syllabus

Syllabus, Research Methods II (Data Analysis), SOC 3895
Fall 2008, CW 226
M/W/F 12-12:50
Instructor: Jammie Price
Office Hours: M/W/F 11-12, 1-2:30, by appointment
E-mail: pricejL@appstate.edu
Prerequisites: Introduction to Sociology, Research Methods I

Overview: This course introduces descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. We will begin by reviewing research questions, hypotheses, variables, and causality. Then we will become acquainted with SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences), and simple database management. From there, we will launch into descriptive statistics, also called univariate analysis. Here we will cover central tendency, dispersion, graphing, and level of measurement. Next we will move into inferential statistics with an explanation of statistical theory, including normal distributions, the central limit theorem, probability, sampling distributions, and hypothesis testing. At this point we will backstep and review the impact of research design on data and data analysis. Then we will cover bivariate inferential techniques for different levels of measurement. First we will consider how to examine relationships between categorical variables. This section will cover crosstabular analyses with the Chi-Square statistic. Second, we will consider how to examine relationships between a continuous dependent variable and a categorical independent variable. This section will cover means comparisons with t-tests and ANOVA (analysis of variance). Third, we will consider how to examine relationships between a continuous dependent variable and a continuous independent variable. This section will cover correlations with t-tests. Finally, we will study multivariate analyses, such as crosstabs with control variables, means comparisons with control variables, correlations with a control variable, and multiple regression.

Objective: At the end of this course you should be familiar with some of the most commonly used analysis techniques. You should be able to better understand research reported in journals, newspapers, and magazines. You will be prepared for conducting data analyses in your sociology internship, senior project, or honor’s thesis. You will be able to add the following to your resume: data entry, database management, data analysis, data graphing and data interpretation.

Skills Learned: This course should enhance your performance of the skills below.

Data collection
Data entry
Data analysis
Data interpretation

Text: Statistics for People Who (think they) Hate Statistics, 2nd edition. Neil J. Salkind. 2004. Sage. **As a reference only.

Exams: Three exams, worth 33% of your final grade each. Exams will cover all class content including lectures, exercises, and assignments. Exam dates are listed on the course schedule. The exams will consist of computations and short answer questions. Make-up exams will be given, without explanation or excuse, during the final exam period. You must inform me on the last day of class that you need a make-up exam. Otherwise, I will not have a make-up exam for you.

Assignments: There will be several homework assignments and in-class assignments, worth absolutely nothing towards your final grade. However, they are good practice for the exams. They reveal what we need to spend more time on in class.

Extra Credit: None. Don't Ask.

Final Grades: Assigned on standard 10 point +/- scale, calculated as follows:

(Exam1 + Exam2 + Exam3)/3 = Your Final Average

Attendance policy relating to participation in university sponsored activities: As an integral part of the academic program at Appalachian State University, the University sponsors and otherwise supports cocurricular programs, athletic programs, and other out-of-class activities such as field trips. Participation in such activities occasionally requires a student to miss one or more class meetings. A student who expects to miss one or more class meetings because of participation in a University - sponsored activity has several responsibilities: The student (in person) will notify the instructor in advance of any absence; the student is expected to complete all work missed by making up the work in advance or by completing any compensatory assignment that may be required by the instructor; the student is expected to maintain satisfactory progress in the course; and the student (otherwise) is expected to maintain satisfactory attendance in the class if so required. In the event that a student anticipates that participation in a University - sponsored activity will require missing more than 10% of the class meetings, the student is required to discuss this matter with her or his instructor at the beginning of the semester and may be advised to drop the course. If the above responsibilities are met, it is expected that the instructor will excuse the absence and permit the student to make up missed work in whatever manner the instructor deems appropriate.

Electronic Devices: In the real world you find these things everywhere (i.e., electronic devices). A lot of business gets done with them, particularly multitasking. A very marketable skill. Actually, an assumed skill for your generation. Older generations find multitaskers/ing insulting. This is social change. "Stuff" happens a lot faster now. Literally. We need to keep up. Literally. So, do it. Just be considerate. If you do not know how to do this, you need to go back to kindergarten or 1st grade where you should have learned how to play nicely with others. (As it turns out, this is the most important lesson. We just keep teaching it over and over again.) So, your roommate is sick and needs a ride to the doctor? Ok. Your girlfriend likes her new toenail color? Forget it.

Student Honor Code: I expect you to abide by the policies on academic integrity as set forth in Academic Integrity Code. which prohibits cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty including any unauthorized collaboration or assistance on any text, assignment, or project. If this code is violated, I will follow the procedures identified in the Code. The Academic Integrity Policy can be found at the Office of Student Conduct web site, http://studentconduct.appstate.edu/, "click on Academic Integrity Code for the policy and "Forms" for the "Academic Integrity Forms" that you will need if you are dealing with a potential violation of the Code. Be sure you understand the policy and procedure, which is very specific. Feel free to contact Dave Haney, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education at haneydp@appstate.edu or x2070, or Judy Haas, Director of the Office of Student Conduct at haasjm@appstate.edu or x2704 if you have questions." (Quote from Dave Haney's Office)

Accommodations for students with a disability: "Appalachian State University is committed to making reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented qualifying disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Those seeking accommodations based on a substantially limiting disability must contact and register with The Office of Disability Services (ODS) at http://www.ods.appstate.edu/ or 828-262-3056. Once registration is complete, individuals will meet with ODS staff to discuss eligibility and appropriate accommodations." (Quote from ODS.)

Additional Resources: The Writing Center and Learning Skills Services offer a variety of academic services to students at no additional cost. Additionally, there are Career Resources, Technology Resources, Counseling Services and Health Services available. If you have a disability which requires special accommodations, please let me know. You should also seek assistance from the Office of Disability Services.

FERPA: Please pay careful attention to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Relevant sections of FERPA and Appalachian’s policy can be found at http://www.resourcemanual.appstate.edu/administrative/pol18.htm. If you want me to discuss details of your academic career, you will need to grant permission on an incident by incident basis. See the permission screen, and print it out and provide it to me before I am to discuss your career. The screen can be located in Banner. (Most of the above is quoted or paraphrased from my boss, Dr. Ed Folts.)