Psychology 339
Introduction to Psychological Statistics
June 7 - July 30, 2010 (Finals Due August 3rd)
Instructor: David M. Lane

For information about registering for this course, see the School of Continuing Studies web page.

This course is an online/distance learning course and therefore there are no class meetings. Although this is a distance-learning course, it can involve more interaction than is typically found in a normal classroom. Much of our interaction will be through a discussion forum on Owl-Space. The forum is a good place to ask any question that you think might be of interest to others in the class. This normally includes questions about the readings, the homework, using the JMP statistical analysis program, etc. If you are having trouble with a homework problem make sure to ask for help. If you have a question you do not want to be viewable by the rest of the class then email the question to me at lane@rice.edu.

The approach is relatively non-mathematical and doesn't require calculus. Instead, the focus is on understanding statistical concepts and the practical aspects of data analysis. Topics covered include descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and statistical prediction. Computer analysis of data rather than hand calculations are emphasized.

The summer school session is short so you will be learning the material at a rapid rate. Since new material is based on old material, make sure you clear up any problems as soon as you encounter them.

The textbook, Online Statistics: An Interactive Multimedia Course of Study is available free online. The course will cover the entire book. You may wish to download the whole site:
Without multimedia (20Mb)
With multimedia (79.9 Mb)

You will need to have access to the statistics program: JMP 8. This program can be licensed for six months for $29.95 from e-academy.

Grading
There will be seven homework assignments, two write-ups of data analyses, a take-home midterm, and a take-home final. The homework assignments will contain questions taken primarily from the exercises at the end of the chapters.

Both the midterm and final are open-book exams. Calculations on the homework and the exams may be done with statistical analysis software. The homework will be worth 30% of your grade, the midterm 20%, the write-ups 15%, and the final 35%. To pass the course, you must pass the final!

It is extremely important that the assignments be handed in on time. Late assignments and write-ups will lose 10 points a day (out of 100) for each day they are late and will not be accepted if they are more than three days late. Exams must be handed in on time. Assignments should be uploaded to Owl-Space.

Feel free to ask questions about any material including material related to homework. You can ask questions in the forum (preferred so the whole class can benefit) or by email if necessary. You are also encouraged to help each other by answering each others questions.

Although exceptions may be made depending on the difficulty of the questions, 90% is normally the lowest A-, 80% the lowest B-, etc.

You may do the assignments before the due dates and finish the course early if you prefer. Computer software may be used to do the homework and the tests.