POLS 3319     Statistics for Social Scientists

 

Dr. David Castle                                               Maes 84 (second floor)                                    Fall Semester 2002

phone 880-8536                                              castleds@hal.lamar.edu                                    office hours: TBA

 

AThere are three kinds of lies B lies, damn lies, and statistics.@

Benjamin Disraeli

 

AThou shalt not with statisticians sit, nor commit a social science.@

W.H. Auden

 

AStatistical thinking will one day be as necessary for efficient citizenship as the ability to read or write.@

H.G. Wells

 

AIf a six turns out to be nine, I don=t mind.  I don=t mind.@

Jimi Hendrix

 

                Introduction

 

Science involves statistical analysis, the testing of hypotheses with empirical data.  The study of government without statistical analysis is merely history; the study of politics in the absence of statistical analysis is merely journalism.  Political Science features statistical analysis of both government and politics.

 

Students who successfully completed this course and POLS 4319 (Advanced Research Methods) have gone on to analytical research positions at NASA, the Texas Senate Finance Committee, the Lamar University Office of Institutional Research and Reporting, and the Center for Public Opinion and Political Participation.  POLS 3319-4319 is essential preparation for graduate study in political science.  Students who completed this sequence of courses have undertaken graduate study at the University of Houston, the University of Kentucky, the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, Louisiana State University, University of New Orleans, the University of Rochester, and Texas A&M.

 

              Textbook and Calculator

 

The textbook is Richard C. Sprinthall=s Basic Statistical Analysis, 7^th edition, 2002.  Students should also purchase a calculator of their choice.  Make sure the calculator is capable of two-variable analysis for the statistical procedures correlation and regression.

 

           Course Grades

 

Course grades will be based equally (20% each) on four multiple-choice exams and class attendance.  The (Scantron) exams will require computation as well as understanding the theories and concepts of statistical analysis.  Students will be permitted to use the book, lecture notes, and a calculator during exams.  Exam dates will be announced in class.

 

First exam (Unit I: Descriptive Statistics), chapters on:

Introduction to Statistics

Graphs and Measures of Central Tendency

Variability

 

 

Second exam (Unit I: Descriptive Statistics), chapters on:

The Normal Curve and z Scores

z Scores Revisited: t Scores and Other Normal Curve Transformations

Probability

 

Third exam (Unit II: Inferential Statistics), chapters on:

Statistics and Parameters

Parameter Estimates and Hypothesis Testing

The Hypothesis of Difference

 

Final exam (Unit II: Inferential Statistics), chapters on:

The Hypothesis of Association: Correlation

Analysis of Variance

Nominal Data and the Chi Square

Regression Analysis

 

The attendance grade will computed as 0-2 absences = A, 3 absences = B, 4 absences = C, 5 absences = D, and 6 absences = F.  Course grades will be reported to the University no earlier than Thursday, December 12.

 

              Other Information

 

The penalty-free drop period ends Weds., Oct 2.

The last day to drop or withdraw for the semester is Fri., Nov. 8.

The final exam is scheduled for Mon., Dec. 9, 8:00-10:30.

Parents are not to bring children to class.

Students must take the final exam to receive a passing grade for the course.