Course Catalog

PSY313E Statistics for Behavioral Science (3 credits) 9562

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The major concepts covered in the class will be descriptive statistics (scales of measurement, measures of central tendency, measures of variability), basic probability theory, and inferential statistics (various forms of "z" and "t" tests, one- and two-way analysis of variance, linear correlation, linear regression, Chi-square, and various nonparametric tests). Work problems will be assigned for each chapter in the Grimm textbook and the probability handout. Demonstrations of Microsoft Excel competency will also be assigned for each segment of the class.

LEARNING RESULTS
This course will enable the student to:

1) understand basic statistical information contained in research papers,

2) perform basic statistical operations on their own data, and

3) connect principles learned in this class to various aspects of their Christian faith.

In addition, students will be able to think critically about the appropriateness of certain statistical tools for various methodological situations and draw appropriate conclusions from a variety of statistical analyses.

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS
Grimm, L. G. (1993). Statistical Applications for the Behavioral Sciences. NY:Wiley.

Dretzke, B. J. (2005). Statistics with Microsoft Excel (3nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

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INTEGRATION OF FAITH AND LEARNING
Students will be aided in the process of understanding the connection between the proper use of statistics and veracity of statistical techniques with a creator God who is true, ordered, lawful, and who has equipped us with the abilities needed to explore His creation in the hopes of learning more about Him.

These integrative elements will be brought to the course in at least two ways. First, whenever applicable, students will be reminded in course presentations (chapter notes, PowerPoint slides) of the connection between truth, order and lawfulness and a Creator God. Second, God's relational character and role as personal Redeemer will be evoked in a "prayer requests" portion of the class found in the discussion boards.

LEARNING DOCUMENTATION
There will be 4 tests each covering about 4 chapters worth of material.

Test #1 - Grimm Chapters 1-5
Test #2 - Grimm Chapters 6-9 and probability handout
Test #3 - Grimm Chapters 12-14
Test #4 - Grimm Chapters 15-18

In addition to the tests, there will be homework problems associated with each chapter covered in the Grimm textbook and tutorials associated with each chapter of the Dretzke manual.
There are 4 assignments and 4 examinations.