SYLLABUS FOR PSYCH 317
Fall 2009
Introduction to Probability and Statistics for
Psychology
Instructor: Laura M. Little, Ph.D.
Office:
Contact:
llittle@u.washington.edu
Graduate TAs:
Colin Beam (beamc@uw.edu)
Ricardo Contreras (bebo@uw.edu)
Office: SAMLab
(Guthrie Annex
4, room 101) (map
location J/K-10/11)
Undergrad TAs:
Alicia Dudgeon, Lorin Dole, Anna Gorn, Sammy
Johnson, Lauren Koch,
Office: SAMLab (Guthrie Annex 4,
room 101)
COURSE ORGANIZATION
Psych 317 is a 5-credit
course with three lecture hours per week and two quiz sections per week. Quiz section A (Tuesday section) is designed
as a discussion section, and emphasizes problem solving and communication of
quantitative concepts. Topics covered in
Quiz section A will follow those covered in lectures. Quiz section B (Thursday section) is designed
as a computing laboratory, and emphasizes techniques of computation using
statistical software on personal computers. Topics covered in Quiz section B
will include the organization of data files, transformations of variables,
graphical representations of data, descriptive statistics, and elementary
inferential statistical analyses.
COURSE MATERIALS and RESOURCES
Text:
Calculator: please bring
with you to class a basic scientific/statistical calculator
Course website: http://courses.washington.edu/ll317
- course schedule
- discussion group
- office hours schedule
- course materials
SMARTPsych website: http://depts.washington.edu/smartpsy
- lessons and tutorials
- refresher materials (math concepts, research
methods glossary)
Supplementary
materials: Handouts and
supplementary materials will often be
distributed during class. You are responsible for obtaining copies of these materials if you miss class the day
they are distributed. All homework
assignments will be announced in class and posted to the Assignments section of
the course website.
SAMLab: The SAMLab (Statistics and Methodology Laboratory) is located in the Guthrie
Annex 4, room 101. It is equipped with
new, fast computers that have MS Excel and SPSS (now known as PASW). Your TAs hold office
hours in the SAMLab, too.
Psychology study center: Also in Guthrie Annex 4, but in room 113. The study center is open 9-4 weekdays and is the perfect place to meet friends and classmates for group study.
COURSE
OBJECTIVES
Your goals in
taking this course should be (1) to learn the basic methods of describing data
in psychological research, (2) to learn the principles of interpreting data in
psychological research, (3) to become acquainted with the fundamental issues
concerning the use of statistical inference, (4) to prepare yourself to conduct
and interpret the results of your own research, and (5) to develop competence
in the use of computer software for data analysis (SPSS, Excel).
COURSE
POLICIES AND GRADING
Attendance at all lectures and both weekly quiz
sections is expected. You are and will be responsible for all announcements
made during class meetings regarding exam scheduling and homework due dates.
Exams: There will
be three exams. They will each count 30% of your grade. All exams will be open
notes and open book. The first exam will actually be a composite of two
mini-exams given during the first five weeks of the course. The third exam will be given during the final
exam period.
Statistical software exercises: You will have homework
problems based on the statistical software you learn to use in the computer
laboratory.
Assignments: There
will be near-weekly assignments. Your
work product must be neat and organized in order for it to be accepted. Computer and textbook assignments will
together count as 10% of your grade.
Course grades: Your
final GPA for this class will be determined by calculating a course percent
grade (based on the weighted average of your four exams, assignments and
computer assignments as stated above).
Once your course percent grade has been calculated, the following
formula is used to transform this percent to a GPA: [course percent 55]/10 = GPA.
Timeliness policies:
Assignments will not be accepted late unless cleared by your TA before
it is due. Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. There
are no exceptions to this policy. Similarly, no makeup exams will be given
unless: (1) notice is given to the instructor, in writing, prior to the
regularly scheduled exam time, or (2) extenuating circumstances prevail for
which documentation is available, in the form of an airline ticket receipt (in
the case of family emergencies) or a doctor's case note (not an appointment
card) for serious illness or injury. This documentation must be presented to
the instructor. All makeup exams must be
taken within one week of the missed exam. There are no exceptions to this
policy.
PLEASE do not ask us to set aside a separate time
for you to take any of the exams.
Because we are not able to accommodate every students request for special consideration, it is
not fair to all students in the class to accommodate specific individuals.
IMPORTANT UNIVERSITY POLICIES
Academic dishonesty: The
Students
with disabilities: I am happy to accommodate students with
disabilities in my class, and I follow the Universitys guidelines
for these accommodations. The University
is committed to ensuring facility and program access to students with either
permanent or temporary disabilities through a variety of services and
equipment. The Disabled Student Services (DSS) Office coordinates academic
accommodations for enrolled students with documented disabilities. Accommodations
are determined on a case-by-case basis and may include classroom relocation,
sign language interpreters, recorded course materials, note taking, and
priority registration. DSS also provides needs assessment, mediation,
referrals, and advocacy as necessary and appropriate. Requests for
accommodations or services must be arranged in advance and require
documentation of the disability, verifying the need for such accommodation or
service.
10 important things you should
know about Psych 317:
1. We want you to succeed in this class.
2. Your chances of succeeding in this class are
improved by:
a. reading the textbook before
class, and again after the lecture
b. working out each problem at
the end of the chapter, even if it is not
assigned
c. coming to every lecture and
quiz section
d. learning to tolerate
frustration
e. perseverance
f. forming a study group and
using the newsgroup/discussion group
3. Please use
your study group or the newsgroup to check your homework answers. We will NOT check your answers during office
hours or class.
4. Please do
not send broad content questions (such as, Can you explain variance to me?) to Psych 317 staff by email. It is very difficult to explain statistical
concepts using email, particularly because it does not support the use of
equations and mathematical symbols.
5. If you must
miss a class, please do NOT ask us, Did I miss anything important in class? The answer is,
YES. You must first get someones lecture notes and go over them. Then come to us if you have any questions.
6. Do not ask your peer tutors to handle
administrative questions.
7. Use a pencil on your homework and exams. Do NOT use a pen.
8. Please try
to avoid bringing up personal matters immediately before class starts. Wait
until after class to see me, and I will be glad to talk to you then.
9. Do NOT
hesitate to ask questions in class. If
you do not understand something, the right time to get matters clarified is
RIGHT AWAY.
10. Come to our office
hours. We are there to help you.
