Psychology 2850A 001 FW24
Statistics for Psychology I
If there is a discrepancy between the outline posted below and the outline posted on the OWL course website, the latter shall prevail.
Western University
London Canada
Department of Psychology
Fall/Winter 2024
PSY 2850A Section 001
STATISTICS FOR PSYCHOLOGY I
1 Calendar Description
This course provides an introduction to techniques of statistical analysis with an emphasis on application in Psychology. Topics include descriptive statistics, the normal distribution, probability, inferential statistics, and hypothesis testing.
Also included will be discussion on the interpretation of statistics in other research designs including correlation, repeated samples testing and analysis of variance.
https://www.registrar.uwo.ca/academics/timetables.html
Antirequisites:
Biology 2244A/B, Economics 2122A/B, Economics 2222A/B, Geography 2210A/B, Health Sciences 3801A/B, MOS 2242A/B, Psychology 2810, Psychology 2820E, Psychology 2830A/B, Social Work 2207A/B, Sociology 2205A/B, Statistical Sciences 2035, Statistical Sciences 2141A/B, Statistical Sciences 2143A/B, Statistical Sciences 2244A/B, Statistical Sciences 2858A/B, Statistical Sciences 2037A/B if taken prior to Fall 2010
Prerequisites:
A mark of at least 60% in 1.0 credits of Psychology at the 1000 level.
3.0 lecture hours; Course Weight: 0.5
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.
2 Course Information
Instructor: Christine Tenk
Email: ctenk2@uwo.ca
Email replies are usually within 24 hours Monday - Friday. I do not check email Friday evenings and check infrequently on weekends and holidays. If you email Friday after 4:00 pm or on the weekend, expect a reply Monday afternoon.
Office & Phone: see OWL
Office Hours: see OWL
Teaching Assistant: TBD
Office: TBD
Office Hours: TBD
Email: TBD
Time and Location of Classes: See OWL or Student Centre for Timetable
For courses that include an online component, students must have a reliable internet connection and computer that are compatible with online learning system requirements.
3 Course Materials
Required Course Materials:
4 of the course materials below are REQUIRED.
2 of the course materials below are RECOMMENDED.
You are responsible for obtaining and using the materials needed for your learning success.
1. OWL (required)
Course information and materials, such as announcements, lecture slides, assignments, learning activities, and grades, are posted on OWL. You are responsible for checking OWL and your Western email frequently.
2. Textbook & Resources
1. Purchase at Bookstore: (required)
Salkind, N. J., & Frey, B. B. (2021). Statistics for people who (think they) hate statistics: Using Microsoft Excel (5th edition). Sage publications. (Hard copy or ebook available)
2. Free Student Resources: (recommended)
Follow this link: Statistics for people who (think they) hate statistics: Using Microsoft Excel Student Study Site
3. Free Textbook: (recommended)
Follow this link: Navarro DJ and Foxcroft DR (2022). learning statistics with jamovi: a tutorial for psychology students and other beginners. (Version 0.75). DOI: 10.24384/hgc3-7p15
3. Computer Software
1. Microsoft Excel: Free (required)
Download from https://wts.uwo.ca/office_365/ or follow this link: Microsoft Excel
2. Data Analysis Tools for Excel: Free (required)
Install following the instructions on this link: Data Analysis Tools for Excel
NOTE: there are many different versions of Excel. This course will use the Office 365 version available from Western. Other versions may have different menus, ribbons and/or buttons. There may also be differences between PC and Mac operating systems.
4 Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcome |
Learning Activity |
Assessment |
Depth and Breadth of Knowledge · Identify how, when, & why statistical techniques are used in scientific research · Describe introductory concepts in descriptive and inferential statistics · Understand and interpret probability of events from normal distributions |
Lectures, In-class discussion, Readings |
Learning checks, assignments, & final exam |
Knowledge of Methodologies · Summarize common research designs used in psychological research · Assess a set of data and determine which statistical techniques are appropriate for analysis and presentation |
Lectures, In-class discussion, Readings |
Learning checks, assignments, & final exam |
Application of Knowledge · Apply descriptive statistics in Microsoft Excel to present data using graphs, measures of central tendency, and variability · Apply inferential statistics in Microsoft Excel including z-Scores & t-tests · Apply the logic of hypothesis testing
|
Lectures, In-class practice, Readings |
Learning checks, assignments, & final exam |
Communication Skills · Report and interpret results of statistics tests in APA format |
Lectures, In-class discussion & practice
|
Assignments & final exam |
Awareness of Limits of Knowledge · Summarize limitations of hypothesis testing including interpretation and possible errors |
Lectures, In-class discussion, Readings |
Learning checks, assignments, & final exam |
Autonomy and Professional Capacity · Develop personal responsibility for scheduling · Adhere to standards of academic integrity
|
Lectures, In-class discussion
|
Learning checks, assignments, & final exam |
5 Evaluation
The evaluation and testing formats for this course were created to assess the learning objectives as listed in section 4 and are necessary for meeting these learning objectives
Learning Checks 15%
Assignment 1 25%
Assignment 2 25%
Final Examination 35%
Learning Checks
There are 6 learning checks in the course and your best 4 of 6 marks will contribute 15% of your final grade.
Four learning checks will consist of a short online OWL quiz (5 – 8 multiple choice or similar questions). The number of questions answered correctly will be your mark on these OWL learning checks.
Two learning checks are in-person question and answer periods. To gain full marks for these learning check, you will need to attend the in-person sessions and contribute a substantive question about the course material. Cursory questions will not be awarded any marks.
Learning checks are due by 5pm on the indicated due date but will be accepted until 11:55pm without late penalty.
See the Class Schedule below for due dates for the learning checks.
Note that no academic consideration will be given for missed learning checks. The flexibility included in these assessments, best 4 of 6 counting, is the consideration.
Assignments
50% of your mark comes from two assignments. Assignment 1 and Assignment 2 are both each worth 25% of your final grade.
Assignments will involve multiple choice questions, completing statistical problems in Excel, and answering short answer questions on corresponding statistical theory. Assignments will be posted on OWL about a week before they are due (see due dates in class schedule below).
You will need to submit your entire Excel file on OWL for grading as marks will be allotted not only for arriving at the correct final answer but also intermediate steps required to complete each problem.
To gain full marks for these assignments, you will be expected to use the Excel functions indicated in the course materials.
Marks are also allotted for appropriate presentation of statistics, and when required, interpretation.
In all written questions, higher marks are awarded for clarity and preciseness of communication.
Assignments are due by 5pm on the indicated due date. Assignments have a no-questions-asked 3-day grace period. This means that you can submit any of the assignments up to 3 days past the posted deadline without penalty. As such, requests for academic consideration for assignments will be denied.
Assignments must be completed individually. Assignments will be evaluated for similarities in answers and any similarities will be investigated for violating academic integrity guidelines. Assignments will also be evaluated for the use of generative AI, which is prohibited in this course.
Final Exam
35% of your final grade will come from the Final Exam which will be completed on OWL. The final exam is cumulative.
The Final Exam will include questions in several different formats. These may include short written answers, calculation questions, graphing questions, definitions, fill-in-the-blank and multiple choice. More details about exam format will be available as we approach the exam date.
You will have to perform statistical operations in Excel during the final exam and will be required to submit your Excel files as indicated in the exam. To gain full marks for these questions, you will be expected to use the Excel functions demonstrated in the course materials.
Marks are also allotted for appropriate presentation of statistics, and when required, interpretation.
In all written questions, higher marks are awarded for clarity and preciseness of communication.
You will need reliable internet access and Excel software to complete the Final Exam. You are responsible for ensuring you have both for the exam.
The final exam will be open for 12 hours on the date indicated during the final exam period. You will have only one attempt at the final exam. You will have 4 hrs to complete the final exam.
Once you start the exam, your time begins and cannot be stopped. I cannot restart the exam so make sure you have a strong wifi connection and are in an environment that you can take your exam from start to finish.
You should make sure you have adequately reviewed the material before attempting the exam; if you haven’t studied in advance, it is unlikely you will be able to do well on the exam.
Exams must be completed individually. Exams will be evaluated for similarities in answers and any similarities will be investigated for violating academic integrity guidelines. Exams will also be evaluated for the use of generative AI, which is prohibited in this course.
Policy on Missing Coursework
- No make-ups will be provided for online or in-person learning checks. Students who miss more than two learning checks with valid medical or other accommodations will have their marks reweighted within that category.
- Assignments have a no-questions-asked 3-day grace period. This means that you can submit any of the assignments up to 3 days past the posted deadline without penalty. As such, requests for academic consideration based on self-attestation for assignments will be denied.
Academic accommodation will be available only to students who have a legitimate documented reason approved by your home faculty’s academic counselling office
- The final exam must be written on the scheduled date unless you have a legitimate documented reason approved by your home faculty’s academic counselling office. A student who misses the scheduled exam for other reasons or does not have approval from an academic counselling office/Accessible Education will be assigned a mark of 0 for the exam. Students who have university approval to miss the final exam will be provided one opportunity for a makeup exam. If the makeup exam is missed due to a further accommodation, students may take that exam the next time the course is offered.
The Psychology Department follows Western’s grading guidelines: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/general/grades_undergrad.pdf
The expectation for course grades within the Psychology Department is that they will be distributed around the following averages:
70% 1000-level to 2099-level courses
72% 2100-2999-level courses
75% 3000-level courses
80% 4000-level courses
In the event that course grades are significantly higher or lower than these averages, instructors may be required to make adjustments to course grades. Such adjustment might include the normalization of one or more course components and/or the re-weighting of various course components.
Policy on Grade Rounding
Please note that although course grades within the Psychology Department are rounded to the nearest whole number, no further grade rounding will be done. No additional assignments will be offered to enhance a final grade; nor will requests to change a grade because it is needed for a future program be considered.
6 Assessment/Evaluation Schedule
Learning Checks 15% Throughout the course
Learning Check |
Format |
Chapter(s) |
Due Date |
|
|
1 |
Online |
1,2, & supplemental reading |
Sept. 20 |
|
|
2 |
Online |
5, 3 |
Oct. 4 |
|
|
3 |
In-person |
Bring your questions |
Oct. 23* |
|
|
4 |
Online |
9, 11 |
Nov. 8 |
|
|
5 |
In-person |
Bring your questions |
Nov. 27* |
|
|
6 |
Online |
8, 10 |
Dec. 6 |
|
|
|
* Must be completed in-class on indicated date |
||||
Assignment 1 25% Oct. 25
Assignment 2 25% Nov. 29
Final Exam 35% December examination period, scheduled by the Registrar’s Office
7 Class Schedule
Date |
Topic |
Reading |
Sept. 11 |
Welcome to the course! Getting started in Excel |
Ch. 1 & 2 |
Sept. 18 |
Research Design & Terminology |
Supplemental reading - posted on OWL |
Sept. 25 |
Tables & Graphs |
Ch. 5 |
Oct. 2 |
Tables & Graphs (cont’d) Central Tendency |
Ch. 3 |
Oct. 9 |
Variability |
Ch. 4 |
Oct. 14 - 18 |
Reading Week – no classes |
|
Oct. 23 |
In-person Learning Check – Assignment 1: Q&A |
|
Oct. 30 |
Probability & Standard Scores |
Ch. 9 |
Nov. 6 |
Z tests |
Ch. 11 |
Nov. 13 |
Hypothesis Testing & Statistical Significance – Part 1 |
Ch. 8 & 10 |
Nov. 20 |
Hypothesis Testing & Statistical Significance – Part 2 |
Ch. 8 & 10 |
Nov. 27 |
Correlations In-person Learning Check – Assignment 2: Q&A |
Ch. 6
|
Dec. 4 |
T tests Other research designs |
Ch. 12 & 13 |
8 Academic Integrity
Scholastic offences are taken seriously, and students are directed to read the appropriate policy, specifically, the definition of what constitutes a Scholastic Offence, at the following Web site: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf.
Possible penalties for a scholastic offence include failure of the assignment/exam, failure of the course, suspension from the University, and expulsion from the University.
Statement on Use of Electronic Devices
You should bring your own laptop, tablet or other device to class so that you can access Excel and practice techniques shown in class and otherwise assist your learning.
However, if you are going to use Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, etc or engage in other activities not related to course content, please sit at the back or edges of the classroom.
Research has shown that non-academic use of laptops and smartphones during class has a negative correlation with exam grades (Ravizza et al., 2014). That is, the more students use their devices in class on non-class tasks, the lower their marks on tests and exams, regardless of intellectual ability. What is most concerning is that not only do those students have lower marks, the students sitting behind them who can be distracted by their screens also score significantly lower on tests and exams (Sana et al., 2013).
If you choose to hurt your own academic performance, that is your decision. However, if in doing so you compromise the experience and success of those sitting near you, that is not acceptable. It is a matter of respect for your classmates.
Plagiarism Detection Software
All required papers may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to the commercial plagiarism detection software under license to the University for the detection of plagiarism. 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.
Use of AI
The use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT to produce written work is not permitted unless permission is granted by the instructor for specific circumstances. Any work submitted must be the work of the student in its entirety unless otherwise disclosed. When used, AI tools should be used ethically and responsibly, and students must cite or credit the tools used in line with the expectation to use AI as a tool to learn, not to produce content.
Multiple Choice Exams
Computer-marked multiple-choice tests and/or exams will be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating.
9 Academic Accommodations and Accessible Education
View Western’s policy on academic accommodations for student with disabilities at this link.
Accessible Education provides supports and services to students with disabilities at Western.
If you think you may qualify for ongoing accommodation that will be recognized in all your courses, visit Accessible Education for more information. Email: aew@uwo.ca Phone: 519 661-2147
10 Absence & Academic Consideration
View Western’s policy on academic consideration for medical illnesses this link
Find your academic counsellor here: https://www.registrar.uwo.ca/faculty_academic_counselling.html
Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain academic considerations. Students must communicate with their instructors no later than 24 hours after the end of the period covered SMC, or immediately upon their return following a documented absence.
Medical Absences
Submit a Student Medical Certificate (SMC) signed by a licensed medical or mental health practitioner to Academic Counselling in your Faculty of registration to be eligible for Academic Consideration.
Nonmedical Absences
Submit appropriate documentation (e.g., obituary, police report, accident report, court order, etc.) to Academic Counselling in your Faculty of registration to be eligible for academic consideration. Students are encouraged to contact their Academic Counselling unit to clarify what documentation is appropriate.
Religious Consideration
Students seeking accommodation for religious purposes are advised to contact Academic Counselling at least three weeks prior to the religious event and as soon as possible after the start of the term.
11 Other Information
- Office of the Registrar: https://registrar.uwo.ca
- Student Development Services: sdc.uwo.ca
- Psychology Undergraduate Program: https://www.psychology.uwo.ca/undergraduate/index.html
Students who are in emotional/mental distress should refer to Health and Wellness@Western https://www.uwo.ca/health/ 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.
If you wish to appeal a grade, please read the policy documentation at: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/appealsundergrad.pdf. Please first contact the course instructor. If your issue is not resolved, you may make your appeal in writing to the Undergraduate Chair in Psychology (psyugrd@uwo.ca).
Copyright Statement
Lectures and course materials, including power point presentations, outlines, videos 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 any course materials publicly and/or for commercial purposes without the instructor’s written consent. Such action is an infringement of copyright and may be considered a Code of Conduct violation leading to sanctions.
12 Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that Western University is located on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Chonnonton. Nations, on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum. This land continues to be home to diverse Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) whom we recognize as contemporary stewards of the land and vital contributors of our society.