SOCS 3305.

501: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL STATISTICS

SPRING SEMESTER 2006

Professor: April Fehler, Ph.D. Class: Tuesday, 7:00-9:45pm MC 2.410

Email: abarclay@utdallas.edu Office Hours: after class

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the concepts and techniques used to answer
research questions via statistical analysis. Topics will include descriptive statistics, inference from
samples, hypothesis testing, and the basics of regression analysis.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Required Texts: Levin and Fox (2003). Elementary Statistics in Social Research, 9th Edition.
Required Materials: a calculator that has the ability to take square roots
Required Prerequisites: College Algebra (MATH 1314 or equivalent)

COURSE EVALUATION

There will be four exams offered: three exams and one comprehensive final exam. The final exam is
optional and can be used to replace one of the exams taken during this course. The top three exams
will be included in the calculation of your final grade, each worth 30%. There will be NO MAKE-UP
EXAMS. If you miss an exam, taking the final exam is your only option to replace the zero on the
exam you missed. Several quizzes will be given during the course of the semester, and, in total, will
equate to 10% of your final grade.

OTHER INFORMATION

• Although assigned, homework will not be turned in or graded during this course…
• PLEASE NOTE: It will be difficult to pass this course without (1) practicing what we discuss
in class and (2) regular class attendance.
• All exams are based on in-class notes, handouts and problems similar to the homework
assignments.
• CHEATERS WILL BE PROSECUTED. Your signature on each exam and quiz is your
guarantee that the work you have done is your own.
 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

DATE COURSE WORK COVERED

January 10 Chapter 1&2: Introduction/Organizing the Data

January 17 Chapter 3: Measures of Central Tendency

January 24 Chapter 4: Measures of Variability

January 31 FIRST EXAM: Chapters 1-4

February 7 Chapter 5: Probability and the Normal Curve

February 14 Chapter 6: Samples and Populations

February 21 Chapter 7: Testing for Differences between Means

February 28 Chapter 8: Analysis of Variance

March 7 SPRING BREAK

March 14 SECOND EXAM: Chapters 5-8

March 21 Chapter 9: Nonparametric Tests of Significance

March 28 Chapter 10: Correlations

April 4 Chapter 11: An Overview of Regression Analysis

April 11 THIRD EXAM: Chapter 9-11

April 18 FINAL EXAM (optional)