Instructor: Jennifer Cooper
Office:Psychology 113 (on Busch)
Phone:732-445-6655
Email:cooperj–at–rci.rutgers.edu (E-mail is the best way to reach me
Office Hours:after class or by appointment
Website

I want to start by saying that I really enjoy statistics. I don't expect all of you to love it (although I hope that you will), but everyone can understand statistics.

“The manipulation of statistical formulas is no substitute for knowing what one is doing.” ~ Hubert M. Blalock, Jr.

Course Objectives

• Understand, calculate, and apply basic concepts commonly used in quantitative inquiry processes – both descriptive and inferential approaches
• Recognize which statistics are appropriate in a given situation
• Understand the logic, procedures, and implicit trade-offs of statistical hypothesis testing
• Interpret and evaluate statistical data

Class Format

• If you have a question, please ask. There are probably many of your classmates who have the same question – even if they don't know it yet.
• Class sessions are an interactive mixture of lecture, examples, problem solving, and collaborative activities. You are responsible for your active participation in the class. Doing statistics is an important part of learning statistics.
• Some of our class sessions will be in the computer lab using SPSS, a statistical software program.

Calculator

• You will need a calculator with at least a square root function. Thus, scientific and graphing calculators are both fine.
• Cell phones may not be used as calculators on exams. It will be easier for you to have a regular calculator during class as cell phones do not usually have a square root function.

Textbook

• Gravetter, F. J. & Wallnau, L. B. (2007). Statistics for the behavioral sciences (7th edition). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. ISBN-10: 0495095206 ISBN-13: 9780495095200

Grades

• Assignments 30% •Test 1 10%
• Classwork 10% •Test 2 15%
• Test 3 15%
• Test 4 (Final) 20%

SOME SPECIFICS …

Classwork

• If you’re present and participating in class, you get the credit. If not, you don’t. You are allowed up to 2 free absences that do not reduce your classwork grade. This is in lieu of graded activities during the class period – instead, they are credit/no credit. (This is a very easy way to maintain a high grade!)

Readings

• The required reading should be completed before class. This will give you the greatest benefit.
• It never hurts to take a look at the reading again after class to return to any confusing points.

Assignments

• Assignments are due at the beginning of the period. The assignments are graded.
• Show your work. (This will become a refrain in the back of your head.) You need to show your work, starting with the formula that you are using. Even with incorrect or incomplete answers, you can earn partial credit if you show your work.
• Late work will be reduced 10% per class day. As the assignments supplement the in-class coverage of concepts, the latest problem sets will be accepted is 1 full week after the assignment was due (e.g., if something was due Friday 6/1, Friday 6/8 is the last day I will accept it). Work handed in after this will be corrected, but not accepted for credit.

Tests

• Calculation and conceptual questions
• Covers material only from class, material only in the text, and material from both sources. The more
  something has appeared, the more important it is.
  
• While statistics is cumulative by nature, the tests will primarily focus on recently presented material.
• If necessary, I reserve the right to scale test scores upwards (but never downwards).
• Make-up tests will only be given in the event of a legitimate and documented medical emergency.

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance

• Regular attendance is expected. If you miss a class, you are responsible for obtaining notes from another student in class.

Extra Credit

• You can add up to 4 points to each test grade. In brief, you can earn 2 points for each example andexplanation of misleading statistics that you find. More information will be given in class.

Academic Honesty

• I assume everyone will do his or her own work and that no one will cheat or plagiarize. You are responsible for knowing and following standards of academic integrity in all work [policy at: teachx.rutgers.edu/integrity/policy.html#cheating]. In particular,
• Work on exams will clearly be your own. I will indicate what formulas I will provide, and you may use no other material.
• Studying and reviewing for quizzes, tests, and the final in groups is recommended.
• You may work collaboratively with others on your homework assignments. Each of you must turn in your own assignment in which the work should be your own – you may not simply copy another student’s assignment.
• If these opportunities to collaborate with your peers and benefit from joint problem-solving sessions are misused, you will not be able to work collaboratively on your assignments.

Students with special needs should contact me immediately to arrange for accommodations.