Steve Mansfield
Department of Psychology, SUNY College at Plattsburgh

PSY206B: Psychological Statistics — Spring 2020

time: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (9:00–9:50am)
instructor: Dr. Steve Mansfield

Course Description

Overview of statistical methods in psychological research. Topics covered include measures of central tendency and dispersion, hypotheses testing, t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation, regression, and nonparametric tests.

Student learning outcomes

The succesful student will:

1. recognize and be able to articulate the importance of probabilistic reasoning in the behavioral sciences;
2. distinguish between descriptive and inferential statistics;
3. categorize the different types of inferential statistical tests in terms of their appropriateness for different experimental designs;
4. demonstrate and articulate a conceptual understanding of statistical analysis as well as computational understanding; and
5. understand the critical importance of accurately interpreting the results of statistical analyses.

Textbook

Gravetter, F. & Wallnau, L. (2017). Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, 9th or 10th ed. Wadsworth

Hand Calculator

Because of the nature of the work that will be done in class, you must have access to a simple hand calculator. It is highly recommended that you obtain a Texas Instruments calculator (Model TI-30) as this is very easy to use and will do everything you need it to do. It costs less than $10.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is required at all class meetings. You will record your attendance at each class meeting using the youhere app. Download the app from https://youhere.org/app. [Once you have downloaded the app you will need to enroll into my class — the class code is: PSY206B.]

At the start of each class I will ask you to check in with your phone. Note that I will also have a paper attendance sheet — if you are unable to check in with your phone, you must come up at the end of class and sign in on the attendance sheet before you leave, otherwise you will be considered absent.

Your attendance alone does not directly contribute to your class grade, but unexcused absences may impact your eligibility to retake exams at the end of the semester. Also note that there is a positive relationship between attendance and students' success in class.

Reading and practice

You should read each chapter in the text book before we cover it in class. The approximate date that we will cover each topic is given in the schedule below.

In addition to the problems in the textbook chapters, the class website also provides a large number of practice problems (with an answer key!) for some topics — I recommend you attempt these as you study and practice for the exams.

Class Exams 60% (4 × 15% each )

There will be 4 exams on the dates specified in the schedule. Each exam will focus on the topics covered since the previous exam, but many concepts later in the semester build on concepts from earlier in the semester.

For each exam you are allowed to bring an 8½×11" crib sheet.

You must arrive on time for exams. Students who arrive more than 10 minutes risk not being allowed to sit the exam.

Making-up and retaking exams

At the end of the semester you will have the opportunity to make-up or retake two exams from during the semester.

If you retake an exam, your retake score will only count if it beats your score from during the semester.

In order to be eligible to retake an exam you may have no more than two unexcused absences from the classes covered by the exam.

If you have valid reasons for needing to make-up more than two exams then make an appointment to meet with me so that I can review your excuses and arrange a time for the extra make-up.

Homework/In-Class Performance (40%)

There will be approximately 10 homework assignments that focus on problem-solving and data analysis. These assignments will be given out in class and will be posted one day later on the class website. Homeworks are due by the next class period. If you are absent from class when an assignment is due you must get your work to me before noon on that day (either drop it off in my office, or give it to the psychology department secretaries to place in my mailbox.)

Extra credit

Personal Reactions (0.25% each. Maximum 6)

Write a 1-page report (approximately 300 words) that describes how the material presented in a specific class was personally relevant to you. For example: What did you learn from a class? Did the material conform to your understanding of the world, or did it challenge your beliefs or opinions ... etc.?

To submit a personal reaction for extra credit follow the 'personal reaction' link once you have logged into the course web site. Your reaction must be sent within one week of the day the class was given, and you must have been present in class on that day.

Grades

Your letter grade will be determined according to the following table.

Percentage	Grade
≥ 93	A
≥ 90 and < 93	A−
≥ 87 and < 90	B+
≥ 83 and < 87	B
≥ 80 and < 83	B−
≥ 77 and < 80	C+
≥ 73 and < 77	C
≥ 70 and < 73	C−
≥ 67 and < 70	D+
≥ 63 and < 67	D
< 63	E

The final application of these guidelines is subject to the discretion of the instructor.

Note: Except for the extra-credit opportunities stated in this syllabus, students will not be allowed to do any additional "extra work" to make up for poor performance in class.

Communication

If you do not understand something, or you are unsure how to complete an assignment, the first thing you should do is contact me. I will help you if you ask.

Use your official college email account when you email me about this course. If you email me from something else, your message may be marked as junk/spam and I may never see it. You should plan to regularly check your campus account for email. I will use this as my official mode of communication for this class, and you are responsible for any information I send to your campus account.

If you leave me a phone message and you would like me to call you back, please include your name, state your phone number clearly at the start and end of your message, and suggest an appropriate time (or range of times) when I will be able to reach you.

You are responsible for all material presented and announcements made in class, whether you are in class or not.

Course web site

I make extensive use of my class web site for this course. You will need to use the class web site to access all the course materials, to submit homework, to send in extra credit assignments, and to review your grades.

You must check your grade page at least once a week

You can login in to the class website using the "student login" on my homepage: https://facweb.plattsburgh.edu/steve.mansfield (You can also use this shortened URL https://is.gd/5643384.) Enter your last name in the "last name" box, and your password into the "password" box. Your password will be initially set to your Banner ID number (you should change your password once you have logged in.)

If you are unable to access the class web site you should contact me.

Academic honesty

It is expected that all students enrolled in this class support the letter and the spirit of the Academic Honesty Policy as stated in the college catalog.

All cases of suspected academic dishonesty will be reported to the college judicial board in accordance with the college's procedures for addressing suspected academic dishonesty.

Student accommodations

If you are a student that requires academic or other accommodations, please contact the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) office — 011 Macomb Hall, call 518-564-3844 or email [email protected]. You must certify with this office before using accommodations.

Class schedule

date	topic
01/27	Welcome to PSY206!
01/29	1. Introduction to statistics
01/31	1. Introduction to statistics
02/03	2. Frequency distributions
02/05	3. Central tendency
02/07	❄ 3. Central tendency ❄
02/10	3. Central tendency
02/12	4. Variability
02/14	4. Variability
02/17	EXAM 1
02/19	5. Z-scores
02/21	6. Probability
02/24	7. Distribution of sample means
02/26	7. Distribution of sample means
02/28	8. Hypothesis testing
03/02	8. Hypothesis testing
03/04	9. The t-statistic
03/06	9. The t-statistic
03/09	10. The t-test for independent samples
03/11	10. The t-test for independent samples
03/13	EXAM 2
03/16
03/18	Spring break!
03/20
03/23	11. The t-test for related samples
03/25	Effect sizes and confidence intervals
03/27	Effect sizes and confidence intervals
03/30	12. Analysis of variance
04/01	12. Analysis of variance
04/03	12. Analysis of variance
04/06	14. Two-factor analysis of variance
04/08	14. Two-factor analysis of variance
04/10	14. Two-factor analysis of variance
04/13	EXAM 3
04/15	15. Correlation
04/17	15. Correlation
04/20	15. Correlation
04/22	16. Linear Regression
04/24	16. Linear Regression
04/27	16. Linear Regression
04/29	17. Chi-square
05/01	17. Chi-square
05/04	19. Choosing the right statistic
05/06	19. Choosing the right statistic
05/08	EXAM 4
05/11
05/13
05/15