SOCIAL STATISTICS

COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this course, students will use different statistical techniques to analyze
data and interpret it. Students will learn univariate and bivariate statistical
methods. Therefore, applying appropriate statistical techniques, students
will interpret the meaning of statistics to a wide variety of situations
through problem solving. Finally, students will be able to determine how
well they can perform quantitative research methods and analyze data in
social science research.
COURSE STATEMENT
This course is a combination of lectures and practice with SPSS in a lab.
This is an interdisciplinary course for undergraduate students in the field of
social sciences. The maximum class size is fifty students. This course is
offered in the second year of an undergraduate sociology program. This is a
3-credit hour course offered for one semester (14 weeks).
COURSE OUTCOMES, OBJECTIVES AND EVALUATION TOOLS
Upon Successful Completion of this course, the students will be able to:
1. Outcome: Perform elementary data analysis.
Objectives:
a. Compute mean, mode, median, mean, percentages,
proportions, ratios, rates, and percentage change.
b. Compute the range (R), the interquartile range (IRQ), the
standard deviation (s), and the variance (s2).
c. Use bar and pie charts, histograms and line graphs
Evaluation Tool:
The student will demonstrate competence by preparing a report of
elementary data analysis.
Performance will be successful when the
a. Report illustrates mean, mode, median, percentage, ratios,
and percentage change.

b. Report presents information logically about mean, mode,

median, IQR, the range (R), the standard deviation (S), the
variance (S2) using appropriate statistical methods and
language
c. Report presents different types of graphs based on level of
measurement and explain why use certain type of graphs.
2. Outcome: Solve univariate and bivariate statistics by utilizing
appropriate methods.
Objectives:
a. Define discrete and continuous variables
b. Define the concept of the normal curve.
c. Illustrate empirical scores to Z scores and use Z scores and
the normal curve to find areas above, below, and between
points on the curve.
d. Calculate percentages for a bivariate table.
Evaluation Tool:
Students will demonstrate competence by doing a series of assignments on
univariate and bivariate analysis.
Performance will be successful when the:
a. Assignment explains discrete and continuous variables.
b. Assignment describes normal curve and graphs.
c. Assignment explains empirical scores to Z scores and use Z
scores and the normal curve to find areas above, below, and
between points on the curve.
d. Assignment describes univariate and bivariate tables.
3. Outcome: Analyze data to test the statistical significance by using
appropriate statistical methods.
Objectives:
a. Define the purpose of inferential statistics in terms of
generalizing from a sample to population.
b. Describe confidence intervals for sample means and sample
proportions.
c. Explain the logic of hypothesis testing as applied to ANOVA,
chi- square, t- test, and Pearsons r for significance.

Evaluation Tool:
Students will demonstrate competence by writing a statistical report.
Performance will be successful when the
a. Report shows select appropriate variable from the given data
set to test your hypothesis.
b. Report describes concepts of confidence intervals for sample
means and sample proportions.
c. Report contains research question and hypothesis to test
statistical significance.
d. Report describes ANOVA, chi- square, t- test, and
Pearsons r for significance using SPSS.
4. Outcome: Develop a simple social science research report while
analyzing data.
Objectives:
a. Develop a research question and hypothesis based on a
research project.
b. Analyze data and interpret the result.
c. Develop a short research report.
Evaluation Tools #4:
Students will demonstrate competence by developing a simple social
science research report while analyzing secondary data.
Performance will be successful when the:
a. Report reflects accurate methods.
b. Report provides relevant data analysis.
c. Present a concise report in the class.

COURSE OUTLINE ORGANIZATION

Week
1

Outcomes/objectives
1. Outcome: Perform
elementary data
analysis.
Objective #a: Compute mean,
mode, median, mean,
percentages, proportions,
ratios, rates, and percentage
change.
Objective # b: Compute the
range (R), the interquartile
range (IRQ), the standard
deviation (s), and the variance
(s2).

1. Outcome: Perform
elementary data
analysis.
Objective # b: Compute the
range (R), the interquartile
range (IRQ), the standard
deviation (s), and the variance
(s2).
Objective# c: Use bar and pie
charts, histograms and line
graphs.

Evaluation

1. Outcome: Perform
elementary data
analysis.
Objective #a: Compute mean,
mode, median, mean,
percentages, proportions,
ratios, rates, and percentage
change.
Objective # b: Compute the
range (R), the interquartile
range (IRQ), the standard
deviation (s), and the variance
(s2).
Objective# c: Use bar and pie
charts, histograms and line
graphs

Evaluation Tool #1:

The student will
demonstrate competence
by preparing a report of
elementary data analysis.
Performance will be
successful when the
a. Report illustrates
mean, mode,
median, percentage,
ratios, and
percentage change.
b. Report presents
information logically
about mean, mode,
median, IQR, the
range (R), the
standard deviation
(S), the variance
(S2) using
appropriate statistical
methods and
language.
c. Report presents
different types of
graphs based on level
of measurement and
explain why use
certain type of
graphs.

2. Outcome: Solve
univariate and bivariate
statistics by utilizing
appropriate methods.
Objectives # a:Define discrete
and continuous variables
Objective # b: Define the
concept of the normal curve.

2. Outcome: Solve
univariate and bivariate
statistics by utilizing
appropriate methods.
Objective # c: Illustrate
empirical scores to Z scores
and use Z scores and the
normal curve to find areas
above, below, and between
points on the curve.
Objective # d:Calculate
percentages for a bivariate
table.

2. Outcome: Solve
univariate and bivariate
statistics by utilizing
appropriate methods.
Objectives # a:Define discrete
and continuous variables

Students will demonstrate

competence by doing a
series of assignments on
univariate and bivariate
analysis.

Objective # b: Define the

concept of the normal curve.

Performance will be
successful when the:

Objective # c: Illustrate
empirical scores to Z scores
and use Z scores and the
normal curve to find areas
above, below, and between
points on the curve.
Objective # d:Calculate
percentages for a bivariate
table.

Evaluation Tool #2:

Mid-term Exam

a. Assignment explains
discrete and
continuous variables.
b. Assignment describes
normal curve and
graphs.
c. Assignment explains
empirical scores to Z
scores and use Z
scores and the
normal curve to find
areas above, below,
and between points
on the curve.
d. Assignment describes
univariate and
bivariate tables.
Outcomes 1 and 2 will be
assessed. Students will
take a 3-hour in class exam
that includes statistical
calculations (formulas will
be provided) by hand and
using SPSS.

No classes this week

3. Outcome: Analyze data

to test the statistical
significance by using
appropriate statistical
methods.
Objective # a Define the
purpose of inferential statistics
in terms of generalizing from a
sample to population.
Objective# b: Describe
confidence intervals for sample
means and sample
proportions.

10

3. Outcome: Analyze data

to test the statistical
significance by using
appropriate statistical
methods.
Objective# c: Describe
confidence intervals for sample
means and sample
proportions.
Objective # d: Explain the
logic of hypothesis testing as
applied to ANOVA, chi- square,
t- test, and Pearsons r for
significance.

11

3. Outcome: Analyze data to

test the statistical significance
by using appropriate statistical
methods.

Evaluation Tool #3:

Students will demonstrate
competence by writing a
report.

Objective # a Define the

purpose of inferential statistics Performance will be
in terms of generalizing from a successful when the
sample to population.
a. Report shows Select
Objective# b: Describe
appropriate variable
confidence intervals for sample
from the given data
means and sample
set to test your
proportions.
hypothesis.
b. Report describes
Objective# c: Describe
concepts
confidence intervals for sample
of confidence
means and sample
intervals for sample
proportions.
means and sample
proportions.
Objective # d: Explain the
c. Report contains
logic of hypothesis testing as
research question
applied to ANOVA, chi- square,
and hypothesis to
t- test, and Pearsons r for
test statistical
significance.
significance.
d. Report describes
ANOVA, chi- square,
t- test, and
Pearsons r for
significance using
SPSS.
12

4. Outcome: Develop a
simple social science
research report.
Objective# a: Develop a
research question and
hypothesis based on a
research project.
Objective # b: Analyze data
and interpret the result.

13

4. Outcome: Develop a
simple social science
research report.
Objective# a: Develop a
research question and
hypothesis based on a
research project.
Objective # b: Analyze data
and interpret the result.
Objective # c: Develop a short
social science research report.

14

4.Outcome: Develop a simple

social science research report.

Evaluation Tools #4:

Objective# a: Develop a
research question and
hypothesis based on a
research project.

Students will demonstrate

competence by developing
a simple social science
research report while
analyzing secondary data.

Objective # b: Analyze data

and interpret the result.

Performance will be
successful when the:

Objective # c: Develop a short

social science research report.

a. Report reflects
accurate methods.
b. Report provides
relevant data
analysis.
c. Present a concise
report in the class.

15

Final Exam

Outcomes 3 and 4 will be

assessed. Students will
take a 3-hour in class exam
that includes statistical
calculations by hand
(formulas will be provided)
and using SPSS.