Designed for social and behavioral science students, this course emphasizes the conceptual understanding of statistics within the context of research and the interpretation of results. Relevant research examples are included. Calculations are required. The following subjects are included:

·       Organizing data to minimize statistical error

·       Charts and graphs

·       Central tendency statistics

·       Standard deviation

·       Probability theory and the normal distribution

·       Probability theory and sampling distributions

·       Parameter estimation using confidence intervals

·       Hypothesis testing: the steps of statistical inference

·       Single sample hypothesis tests

·       Bivariate relationships: t-test for comparing the means of two groups

·       Analysis of variance (ANOVA)

·       Chi-Square

·       Binomial distributions

·       Bivariate correlations and regression

You will demonstrate a full understanding of important statistical concepts and methods and conduct basic statistical calculations and analyses.  You will demonstrate: (1) organization, presentation, and interpretation of data; (2) the logic of hypothesis testing; (3) selecting appropriate statistical procedures; and (4) mastery of univariate and bivariate statistical te

a. Required Text:  Ritchey, Ferris J. The Statistical Imagination: Elementary Statistics for the Social Sciences. 2nd Edition (2008).

This course will not use SPSS student software, so it is not necessary to purchase the bundled text/SPSS package.  You may purchase any used 2^nd edition copy or use the reserve copy of the text in the Rio Grande campus library.  Initial chapters of the text will be available on Blackboard to allow you time to order and purchase the text.

b. Homework answers will be posted on Blackboard. Computer access is necessary.

c. Text web site:

  http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072943041/student_view0/index.html

Click on “Student Resources.”  For each chapter the web site provides chapter objectives/outlines, self assessment quizzes, flash cards for terms, a glossary of terms, PowerPoint slide shows, and other web links of interest.

Prerequisites:  SOCI 1301 or PSYC 2301 or equivalent, and MATH 1332 or MATH 1314 or equivalent.

Class Materials

You will need to have the following items:  an inexpensive pocket calculator with a square root key; an inexpensive, half-moon shaped protractor-ruler; and one package of graph paper.

Student Responsibilities

You are responsible for understanding the instructions given below for earning your course grade, tests, homework and required attendance, excused absences, make-up homework, make-up tests and testing center policies, withdrawal from class, cheating, and electronic devices.  Information regarding ACC’s policies for students with disabilities and the use of ACC email is provided at the end of this syllabus.

Earning Your Course Grade, Tests, Homework and Required Attendance

Your course gradewill be based upon your performance on four tests, homework at the end of each chapter, overall progress in the course, and class attendance.

You may earn a total of 475 possible points in the course.

Four testswill count 100 points each for a total of 400 points for all four tests (84% of the final course score).  Tests will require calculations.

Fifteen homework assignments will count 5 points each for a total of 75 points for all 15 assignments (16% of the final course score). 

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To receive points for homework, you must submit assigned homework at the start of each class on the specific day the assigned homework is due.  Homework must be legible and all problems must be attempted. Be on time. I do not award partial points. Answers will be provided and discussed for immediate feedback. 

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Attendance is required. I take attendance because I expect you to attend class. Students who arrive after I take attendance or who leave early are considered absent.

Be on time and stay for the entire period.  Arriving late and leaving early without permission disturbs me and your fellow students. I will not provide you with copies of notes for missed classes. If you miss a class, ask another student for a copy of his/her notes.

I reserve the right to withdraw students from the class who miss more than three classes without excused absences, who do not take a regularly scheduled test or make-up test, and/or who fail to complete assignments in a timely manner.

Your numerical course score will be computed by adding the scores for tests and homework/class attendance scores.  At the end of the course, your course score will be converted to your course grade using the following scale: 

I do not curve test scores or course grades.  I do not give re-tests except under highly unusual circumstances and at my discretion. 

When assigning the final course grade, I may consider the progress a student makes throughout the course, attendance, and/or any outstanding contributions a student makes during class discussions. 

Excused Absences

If you are ill, need to care for an ill family member, or have a family emergency, you must provide documentation (e.g., doctor’s note; funeral notice) to receive an excused absence.  Students with schedule conflicts, vacations, or who are not prepared will not be granted an excused absence.

Make-up Homework

If you receive an excused absence, you will be required to submit all missed homework if you want to receive points.  The due date will be given upon your return to class.

A student without an excused absence should complete the homework in order to prepare for tests, but the student will not receive points.

Make-up Tests

If you miss any of the first three regularly scheduled tests, you must contact me and take the make-up test in the RGC Testing Center within 7 calendar days after the original test date. If your absence is excused, no penalty will apply to the make-up test.  If your absence is not excused, up to 15 points will be deducted from your makeup test score.  If you miss this deadline, you will receive a grade of zero for the missed test.

No makeup exams are given for the last test.  If you miss the last test, you must contact me no later than Thursday, August 16 to request an Incomplete.  If you miss this deadline, you will receive a grade of zero on the last test.  You must present a documented excuse to receive an Incomplete or you will receive a grade of zero on the last test.

Note the Testing Center policies below.  Check the days and times the RGC Testing Center is open on the ACC website and start your test at least 2-3 hours before closing time.

Testing Center Policy

Students using the Academic Testing Center must govern themselves according to the Student Guide for Use of ACC Testing Centers and should read the entire guide before going to take the exam.  To request an exam, one must have:

·            ACC Photo ID

·            Course Abbreviation (e.g., ENGL)

·            Course Number (e.g.,1301)

·            Course Synonym (e.g., 10123)

·            Course Section (e.g., 005)

·            Instructor's Name

Do NOT bring cell phones to the Testing Center.  Having your cell phone in the testing room, regardless of whether it is on or off, will revoke your testing privileges for the remainder of the semester.  ACCTesting Centerpolicies can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/

Withdrawal from Class

The last day for you to withdraw from class without academic penalty is Wednesday, August 8.  You may withdraw from this course prior to the withdrawal deadline by submitting a request form to Admissions and Records.

Cheating

Do not cheat or suffer the consequences as defined by ACC’s rules and regulations.  See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process and other policies at http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow

Electronic Devices

Keep your phones off and do not text during class.

Statement on Students with Disabilities

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities.  Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD).   Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed.  Students who have received approval for accommodations from OSD for this course must provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from OSD before accommodations will be provided.   Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from the student.  Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodations.   Additional information about the Office for Students with Disabilities is available athttp://www.austincc.edu/support/osd/

 Use of ACC email

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account.  Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account.  Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff.  Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/index.php.