Psychology 3800F-001

Psychological Statistics Using Computers

If there is a discrepancy between the outline posted below and the outline posted on the OWL course website, the latter shall prevail.

1.0    CALENDAR DESCRIPTION

This course covers most statistical procedures used in psychological research and the use and interpretation of SPSS for Windows. Topics covered include the t test, various forms of analysis of variance, chi-square, bivariate and multiple regression and correlation, factor analysis, multivariate analysis of variance, and Monte Carlo methods.

Prerequisites: Psychology 2810, plus registration in third or fourth year of Honours Specialization in Psychology or Honours Specialization in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, or Honours Specialization in Animal Behaviour.

Psychology Majors and Psychology Special Students who earn 70% or higher in Psychology 2820E or 60% or higher in Psychology 2810 may enrol in this course.

 

Unless you have either the prerequisites for this course or written special permission from your Dean to enrol in it, you may be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record. This decision may not be appealed. You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.

Antirequisite: Psychology 3830F/G

 

Antirequisites are courses that overlap sufficiently in content that only one can be taken for credit. So if you take a course that is an antirequisite to a course previously taken, you will lose credit for the earlier course, regardless of the grade achieved in the most recent course.

2 lecture hours, 2 laboratory hours, 0.5 course 

2.0    COURSE INFORMATION

       Time and Location of Lectures: Wednesdays 9:30 to 11:30 Room WIRB-1170   

       Instructor: R. Stevenson (rsteve28@uwo.ca)           

       Office: Room 6128 WIRB                             

       Office Hours: By appointment                      

       Lab Section 002: Wednesdays, 14:30-16:30, SSC 3133

       Teaching Assistant: Meara Stow

       Email: mstow

       Office Hours and Room: TBD

       Lab Section 003: Thursdays, 12:30-14:30, SSC 3133

       Teaching Assistant: Ana Ruiz Pardo

       Email: aruizpar

       Office Hours and Room: TBD

       Lab Section 005: Thursdays, 14:30-16:30, SSC 3133

       Teaching Assistant: Katrina Huellmann

       Email: khuellem

            Office Hours and Room: TBD                                                                                   

Students who are in emotional/mental distress should refer to Mental Health@Western

http://www.uwo.ca/uwocom/mentalhealth/ for a complete list of options about how to obtain help.

Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format or if you require any other arrangements to make this course more accessible to you. You may also wish to contact Student Accessibility Services (formerly known as Services for Students with Disabilities) at 519-661-2147.

3.0  TEXTBOOK

You will need a computer account, which gives you access to the UWO network. Optional: Gardner, R. C. & Tremblay, P. F. (2006). Essentials of Data Analysis. Theory and Computer Applications. Printed by the University Book Store. *Please let the instructor know if you would like this ordered. 

4.0    COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course introduces students to research methodology and statistical analysis using the SPSS software package. Other computer applications for creating data files and conducting secondary analyses are surveyed briefly.

The lectures present a balance of the theory, the rationale, interpretation, and detailed examples of key univariate and multivariate statistical procedures.

The laboratories will provide students with the opportunity to conduct statistical analyses using SPSS and other secondary software packages and to report their findings using APA style reports. The laboratories will be conducted in the Department of Psychology Computer Laboratory (Rm 3133 SSC), where students will be able to work on their assignments with consultation with the course Teaching Assistant. Students are allowed to use the Laboratory at other times, when available, and also have access to the SSNDS Computer Instructional Laboratory (Rm 1020 SSC) to do their SPSS assignments for this course

   4.1    STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES 

By the end of this course, successful students will be able to:

  1. Recommend and justify an appropriate research design and statistical procedure for a given research question or hypothesis.
  2. Differentiate between the statistical procedures in terms of their permissible applications and the scale properties of the data.
  3. Generate hypotheses to address specific research questions.
  4. Analyze data using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical procedures.
  5. Apply 10 different statistical procedures by analyzing data sets.
  6. Demonstrate their understanding of Type I and Type II errors by conducting simulated demonstration of such errors.
  7. Write research reports clearly and effectively in a way that a reader would have the necessary information to replicate the study. The quality of methods and result sections will match the level in good empirical journals.
  8. Describe, critique and justify their research methodology and generate ways to improve upon it.

Demonstrate their capacity to work independently and in an ethical manner by producing their own written work and meeting the timelines for the 10 assignments.

LEARNING OUTCOMES, ACTIVITIES and ASSESSEMENT

 

Learning Outcome

Learning Activities

How

Assessed

 

Depth and Breadth of Knowledge.

 

Recommend and justify an appropriate statistical procedure to use for a given research question or hypothesis.

 

Differentiate between the statistical procedures in terms of their permissible applications based on the scale properties of the data.

 

 

 

Ten weekly labs are designed to develop applied knowledge of the statistical procedures. In each lab, a problem is presented with a data set or with a request to generate simulated data with specific properties. The labs are described in tutorials led by graduate student TAs. Students develop the research hypotheses, analyze the data, and write a research report.

 

 

 

The ten labs assess (in part) knowledge of the uses and applications of each statistical technique.

 

The final exam assesses the ability to select the correct procedure for specific problems.

 

Application of Knowledge.

 

Generate hypotheses to address specific research questions and analyze data using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical procedures.

 

 

 

For each of the ten procedures presented in class, students have the opportunity in the weekly labs to apply the procedure to a real research problem that addresses real challenges such as violations of assumptions or lack of statistical power.

 

 

 

The labs assess the ability to use a specific procedure correctly in terms of addressing the assumptions, and reporting and interpreting results.

 

The final exam does the same but presents research problems in which students must justify using a specific procedure.

 

Application of Methodologies.

 

Apply 10 different statistical procedures by analyzing data sets.

 

Demonstrate their understanding of Type I and Type II errors by conducting simulated demonstration of such errors. 

 

 

 

In each lab, students learn to apply a statistical procedure in SPSS, including preparation of the data file, syntax statement, selection of specific secondary tests of assumptions, interpretation of the output, and how to synthesize the extracted information into a report.

 

 

 

Students need to master the correct way to interpret and report results from software output. This is assessed in the lab reports and in the exam.

 

Communication Skills.

 

Write research reports clearly and effectively in a way that a reader would have the necessary instructions to replicate their study and the necessary information to interpret their results.

 

Write method and result sections that match the level in good empirical journals.

 

 

 

Students have the opportunity to develop their research writing skills through weekly reports and receive weekly written feedback from their TAs. This structure helps address timely correction of problems or fine tuning of writing format in specific areas of the report.

 

 

 

The labs assess students’ ability to think and write clearly.

 

The section of long answers on the exam also assesses the ability to communicate an idea clearly.

 

Awareness of Limits of Knowledge.

 

Describe, critique, and justify their research methodology especially in the discussion section of their research reports.

 

Generate ways to improve upon their research methodology.

 

 

 

Feedback from TAs on the lab reports highlights any needed correction in the interpretation of results and limitations. The lab assignments include questions that specifically address the limits of what can be concluded from the results.

 

 

 

The lab reports also assess the ability to present justified conclusions along with their limitations.

 

Autonomy and Professional Capacity.

 

Demonstrate their capacity to work independently and in an ethical manner by producing their own written work and meeting the timelines for the 10 reports.

 

 

 

Students are responsible for 10 weekly lab reports, and must produce their own original reports.

 

 

 

Late reports receive a deduction and originality of work is assessed in adherence to the institutional policies for plagiarism.

5.0     EVALUATION

Laboratory Assignments: 50% in total (5% x 10 labs). There will be 10 lab assignments, each requiring a written report. These will be graded by the Teaching Assistant. All assignments must be handed in at the beginning of the lab session following the session in which it was assigned. Late assignments will not be accepted and will be given a grade of 0. The last assignment is due one week after the last laboratory session. Students are responsible for their own assignments—copying assignments constitutes plagiarism. The Laboratory Assignment grade is the mean grade obtained in the 10 assignments. These 10 assignments together constitute the written component of 2,500 words required for a half-year essay course. **Please note: questions about assignments to the TAs or Instructor must be made 24 hours or more before the assignment is due.

Final Examination: 50%. The final examination will be based on all material presented in lectures, laboratories, and the assigned text chapters. All assigned material, regardless of whether or not it was discussed in class, is eligible exam material. The final exam will be set by the Registrar’s office during the official examination period and will be 3 hours long. The exam format may include a mix of multiple choice items, short answer questions, and written interpretations of selected SPSS statistical results. 

NOTE: Because this is an essay course, as per Senate Regulations (http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/2017/pg108.html), you must pass the essay component to pass the course. That is, the average mark for your written assignments must be at least 50%.

This course is exempt from the Senate requirement that students receive assessment of their work accounting for at least 15% of their final grade at least three full days before the date of the deadline for withdrawal from a course without academic penalty

Although the Psychology Department does not require instructors to adjust their course grades to conform to specific targets, the expectation is that course marks will be distributed around the following averages:

70%     1000-level and 2000-level courses
72%     2190-2990 level courses
75%     3000-level courses
80%     4000-level courses
   
The Psychology Department follows Western's grading guidelines, which are as follows (see http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/general/grades_undergrad.pdf):

A+  90-100      One could scarcely expect better from a student at this level
A    80-89        Superior work that is clearly above average
B    70-79        Good work, meeting all requirements, and eminently satisfactory
C    60-69        Competent work, meeting requirements
D    50-59        Fair work, minimally acceptable
F    below 50    Fail


6.0  ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION SCHEDULE

The final exam will be set by the Registrar’s Office during the official examination period (December 8-19), and will be 3 hours long.

 

7.0   CLASS SCHEDULE

(Note that readings are from an optional text)

 

 

Date

Topic

Optional Readings

Assignments

1

Sept 11

Introduction

Ch. 1

No lab

2

Sept 18

t-tests

Ch. 2

t-tests

3

Sept 25

Monte Carlo simulation methods

Ch. 3

Monte C.

4

Oct 2

Single Factor ANOVA

Ch. 4

ANOVA (oneway)

5

Oct 9

Factorial designs ANOVA

Ch. 5

ANOVA (factorial)

6

Oct 16

Repeated measures ANOVA

Ch. 6

ANOVA (repeated)

7

Oct 23

Split plot ANOVA

Ch. 7

ANOVA (split plot)

8

Oct 30

Bivariate correlation and regression

Ch. 9

Correlation

 

Nov 6

READING WEEK

X

X

9

Nov 13

Multiple correlation and regression

Ch. 10

Multiple regression

10

Nov 20

Factor analysis

Ch. 8

Factor analysis

11

Nov 27

Chi-square tests

Ch. 11

Chi-square

12

Dec 4

 Review

 

Final lab (due)

8.0     STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC OFFENCES

Students are responsible for understanding the nature and avoiding the occurrence of plagiarism and other scholastic offenses. Plagiarism and cheating are considered very serious offenses because they undermine the integrity of research and education. Actions constituting a scholastic offense are described at the following link:  http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf

As of Sept. 1, 2009, the Department of Psychology will take the following steps to detect scholastic offenses. All multiple-choice tests and exams will be checked for similarities in the pattern of responses using reliable software, and records will be made of student seating locations in all tests and exams. All written assignments will be submitted to TurnItIn, a service designed to detect and deter plagiarism by comparing written material to over 5 billion pages of content located on the Internet or in TurnItIn’s databases. All papers submitted for such checking will be included as source documents in the reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of papers subsequently submitted to the system. Use of the service is subject to the licensing agreement, currently between Western and Turnitin.com http://www.turnitin.com

Computer-marked multiple-choice tests and/or exams may be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating.


Possible penalties for a scholastic offense include failure of the assignment, failure of the course, suspension from the University, and expulsion from the University.



9.0    POLICY ON ACCOMMODATION FOR MEDICAL ILLNESS

Western’s policy on Accommodation for Medical Illness can be found at:
http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/PolicyPages.cfm?PolicyCategoryID=1&Command=showCategory&SelectedCalendar=Live&ArchiveID=#Page_12

 

The full policy for consideration for absences can be accessed at: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/Academic_Consideration_for_absences.pdf


Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain accommodation:
http://counselling.ssc.uwo.ca/procedures/medical_accommodation.html

 

If you experience an extenuating circumstance (e.g., illness, injury) sufficiently significant to temporarily make you unable to meet academic requirements, you may request accommodation through the following routes:

  1. Submitting a Self-Reported Absence form (for circumstances that are expected to resolve within 48 hours);
  2. For medical absences, submitting a Student Medical Certificate (SMC) signed by a licensed medical or mental health practitioner in order to be eligible for Academic Consideration;

For non-medical absences, submitting appropriate documentation (e.g., obituary, police report, accident report, court order, etc.) to Academic Counselling in their Faculty of registration in order to be eligible for academic consideration. Students are encouraged to contact their Academic Counselling unit to clarify what documentation is appropriate.

Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain accommodation. The self-reported absence form may NOT be used for absences longer than 48 hours; coursework/tests/exams/etc., worth more than 30% of the final grade; or exams scheduled in the December or April final-exam periods: http://counselling.ssc.uwo.ca/procedures/medical_accommodation.html

Students seeking academic consideration:

  • are advised to consider carefully the implications of postponing tests or midterm exams or delaying handing in work;  
  • are encouraged to make appropriate decisions based on their specific circumstances, recognizing that minor ailments (upset stomach) or upsets (argument with a friend) are not normally an appropriate basis for a self-reported absence;

must communicate with their instructors no later than 24 hours after the end of the period covered by either the self-reported absence or SMC, or immediately upon their return following a documented absence



10.0        OTHER INFORMATION

Office of the Registrar web site:  http://registrar.uwo.ca

Student Development Services web site: http://www.sdc.uwo.ca

Please see the Psychology Undergraduate web site for information on the following:

    http://psychology.uwo.ca/undergraduate/student_responsibilities/index.html

- Policy on Cheating and Academic Misconduct
- Procedures for Appealing Academic Evaluations
- Policy on Attendance
- Policy Regarding Makeup Exams and Extensions of Deadlines
- Policy for Assignments
- Short Absences
- Extended Absences
- Documentation
- Academic Concerns
- 2019-2020 Calendar References

No electronic devices, including cell phones and smart watches, will be allowed during exams.

Copyright Statement: Lectures and course materials, including power point presentations, outlines, and similar materials, are protected by copyright. You may take notes and make copies of course materials for your own educational use. You may not record lectures, reproduce (or allow others to reproduce), post or distribute lecture notes, wiki material, and other course materials publicly and/or for commercial purposes without the instructor’s written consent.