Sociology 5811: Intermediate Social Statistics
Fall 2004
Lecture: 11:15am - 12:30pm Tuesday and Thursday, BlegH 145
Lab 1:25pm - 3:20pm Monday, Blegen 440
Web Page: http://www.soc.umn.edu/~schofer/2004soc5811/home5811.htm
Instructor: Evan Schofer
Email: schof007@tc.umn.edu
Phone: (612) 624-4075
Office: 1127 Social Sciences
Office Hours: 12:45-2:00 T/Th and by appointment
TA: Wes Longhofer
Email: long0324@tc.umn.edu
Office: 980 Social Sciences
Office Hours: Monday 10:30-12:30 and by appointment
Office Phone: 612 624-7602
Introduction
This course covers the basic principles of statistics necessary to conduct social science research. These include basic descriptive and inferential statistics, with emphasis on commonly used methods such as crosstabs, and OLS regression. In addition, the course laboratory provides instruction in the use of a statistical software package SPSS.
Most readings will be from one of the assigned texts. Additionally, you will receive handouts and other small reading assignments on occasion. Complete reading assignments prior to the class in which material will be covered. You will get much more out of lectures and labs if you have already finished the readings. We will be using Knoke, Bohrnstedt, and Mee’s Statistics for Social Data Analysis (4th edition) as our primary statistics textbook. (It never hurts to have another text on hand to consult if you are having difficulty understanding certain concepts. Contact me if you need recommendations.) In addition, I have assigned a text to assist you in using the software package SPSS: The SPSS Guide to Data Analysis 12.0. It also discusses statistical concepts, which may aid you in understanding course material. (Note: Earlier versions of this book are quite similar. You may be able to save money by borrowing or purchasing the Guide to Data Analysis for SPSS 11.0 or 10.0.) Finally, I have assigned Allison’s Multiple Regression: A Primer to provide supplemental material on regression.
Texts will be available from the bookstore, but can also be purchased at various on-line places, such as Amazon.
Assignments and Evaluation
Problem Assignments. Math problems will be assigned regularly. (20% of final grade)
Computer Tasks. There will be a number of exercises involving computer data analysis and the interpretation of results. (20% of final grade)
Mid-term Exam. There will be one mid-term exam. (30% of final grade)
Final Paper. There will be a final course project, in which you perform statistical analyses on data of your own choosing and write up the results. (30% of final grade)
Papers received late will be marked down one partial grade
(i.e., and A becomes an A-, C+ becomes a C) per day past the due date. Extensions will be granted for legitimate
reasons if requested in advance – before the due date. Missed exams cannot be re-taken unless arrangements
are made in advance, except in unusual circumstances (e.g., medical issues).
Your final grade will be computed based on the percentage weightings indicated. In the event of a borderline grade, I may use my discretion in adjusting grades based on course participation and effort (or lack thereof). Incompletes will not be given, except in unusual circumstances.
General Information
Check the course web site periodically. Urgent notices may be posted on the web site (e.g., if an assignment due date were to be extended). Also, the course web page will contain important information: copies of course handouts and assignments, data relevant to course assignments, etc.
Schedule & Reading Assignments
Week 1: Introduction / Data (Sept. 7, 9)
Bohrnstedt and Knoke, Chapter 1
Norusis, SPSS 12.0, Chapter 1, 2, 3 (skim)
Week 2: Univariate Graphs and Descriptive Statistics (Sept 14, 16)
Lab: Introduction to
SPSS, Datasets,
Bohrnstedt and Knoke, Chapter 2: 2.1-2.4
Norusis, SPSS 12.0, Chapter 4, 5
Week 3: Descriptive Statistics (cont'd) (Sept. 21, 23)
Lab: Frequencies and Descriptive Statistics
Bohrnstedt and Knoke, Chapter 2: 2.5-end
Norusis, SPSS 12.0, Chapter 6, 7
Week 4: Sampling, Probability, Statistical Inference (Sept. 28, 30)
Lab: Frequencies and Descriptives; Start Probability (if time allows)
Bohrnstedt and Knoke, Chapter 3: 3.1-3.5
Norusis, SPSS 12.0, Chapter 10, 11
Week 5: Sampling, Probability, Statistical Inference (Oct 5, Oct 7)
Lab: Probability Distributions, Statistical Inference
Bohrnstedt and Knoke, Chapter 3: 3.6-end
Norusis, SPSS 12.0, Chapter 12
Week 6: Sampling, Probability, Statistical Inference (Oct. 12, 14)
Lab: Standard Error and T-tests
Norusis, SPSS 12.0, Start on Chapter 13, 14
Week 7: T-Tests: Differences in Means and Proportions (Oct. 19, 21)
Lab: T-Tests
Bohrnstedt and Knoke, Chapter 4: 4.1 and 4.3
Norusis, SPSS 12.0, Chapter 13, 14, 15
Week 8: Midterm, ANOVA (Oct. 26, 28)
Lab: T-tests
Bohrnstedt and Knoke, Chapter 4: 4.2, 4.4-end
October 26: Midterm
Exam
Week 9: Crosstabs (Nov 2, 4)
Lab: Data Sources for Final Paper, Possibly ANOVA (if time allows)
Bohrnstedt and Knoke, Chapter 5: all
Norusis, SPSS 12.0, Chapter 8, 17
Week 10: Crosstabs, Start Correlation (Nov. 9, 11)
Lab: Crosstabs
Week 11: Correlation and Regression (Nov. 16, 18)
Lab: Wrap Up Crosstabs; Scatterplots and Correlation
Norusis, SPSS 12.0, Chapter 19
Get started on Bohrnstedt and Knoke reading for next week
Week 12: Correlation and Regression (Nov 23, 25)
Lab: Correlation and Regression
Bohrnstedt and Knoke, Chapter 6: 6.1-6.3
Norusis, SPSS 12.0, Chapter 9, Start Chapter 20
Allison, Chapter 1, 2
November 25:
Thanksgiving. No Class.
Week 13: Correlation and Regression (Nov. 30, Dec. 2)
Lab: Correlation and Regression
Bohrnstedt and Knoke, Chapter 6: 6.4-end
Norusis, SPSS 12.0, Chapter 20, 21
Allison, Chapter 4, 5, 6
Week 14: Multivariate Regression (Dec. 7, 9)
Lab: Regression, Multivariate Regression
Bohrnstedt and Knoke, Chapter 8: 8.1-8.3
Norusis, SPSS 12.0, Chapter 22, 23
Allison, Chapter 3, 7, 8
Week 15: Multivariate Regression (Dec. 14)
Lab: Multivariate Regression & Diagnostics
Norusis, SPSS 12.0, Chapter 24
Allison, Chapter 9
December 14: Final
Paper Due