Psychology 645 - Internet Version

Missouri State University

Dr. David W. Stockburger

Psychology Professor Emeritus, Missouri State University

Deputy Director of Academic Assessment, US Air Force Academy

 

What this course is –

  • a quick review of introductory statistics combined with a more in-depth study of various multivariate statistical methods. The focus of the course is on applied multivariate techniques, generally useful to individuals doing assessment or evaluation.

 

What this course is not –

  • A study of structural equation modeling. Not that I have anything against specifying a model before doing an analysis, but that I will leave this topic to others to teach.
  • A multivariate course using matrix algebra. Again, not that I have anything against linear and matrix algebra as a concise means of understanding multivariate statistical techniques, just that the audience for such a course is limited.
  • A course in experimental design and analysis. I will cover ANOVA from a linear regression model perspective, but not in nearly enough depth to be all that useful to an experimentalist.

 

Objectives of the course

  • To expose the student to wide variety of multivariate statistical techniques such that the student can select the appropriate statistical tool from a statistical toolbox.
  • To present a fundamental understanding of how the various statistical techniques work such that the assumptions underlying the analysis are understood and future extensions of the methods will not be problematic.
  • To expose the student to the use and interpretation of statistical software.

 

How the course works

  • This is an internet course. The student should have a certain degree of intrinsic motivation and a reasonable amount of computer sophistication before attempting this course.
  • There will be an assignment due each week using example data sets. These assignments will all require the use of statistical analysis software. The main focus will be on SPSS, but other specialized software will be used in addition. If an assignment is not turned in by the due date, a late penalty will be assessed.
  • In addition to weekly assignments there will be three major tests. Each test will have a problem component, much like the weekly assignments, and a multiple-choice component. The multiple-choice items will be randomly selected from an item pool that the student will have available before the test. While the items and potential answers will be available, the correct answers will not.
  • There will be an optional weekly chat session. A transcript of the chat sessions will be available to students unable to participate. Since this is the first time PSY 645 will be offered as an internet course, many of the chat sessions later in the semester will be lectures rather than question and answer periods. Students are expected to be active participants in both question and answer periods and lectures.
  • There is a great deal of information available from past courses. Students are expected to spend the necessary time to make full use of this information.
  • There will be a project due at the end of the course. A small pilot study of a potential thesis or dissertation is encouraged.

 

Requirements and Prerequisites

  • An introductory statistics course will be absolutely necessary. The first third of the course will be a review of introductory statistics, but it will proceed at a pace that will be impossible for those without an initial exposure to statistics.
  • Access to SPSS statistical software. This software is available at many student computer laboratories, but many students find it necessary or prefer to do the assignments from home. It will be necessary to obtain the software for such use.

 

Grades

  • This is a graduate course and a “C” will be considered a failing grade.
  • Grades will be assigned based on total points at the end of the semester. Ninety percent and above will earn an “A”, eighty percent to ninety percent will earn a “B”. Anything lower will earn a “C”.

 

Tips for Success

  • Start working now.  The review of introductory statistics will proceed at a fast pace. While I have tried to organize the material from past internet classes into a logical and organized sequence, it is an ongoing project on my part. The time spent exploring the class web site in the beginning of the course will pay dividends at the end of the semester.
  • Don’t fall behind. It has been my experience that all but the best and brightest students will fail if they fall behind in the coursework. This course has a certain degree of flexibility built into it, as assignments and tests can all be completed before they are officially due. If you realize that you will miss a week of class, for example, complete the work before you leave.
  • Participate in the chat sessions. Although they are optional and will not affect your grade, past students in the course have considered the chat sessions a critical part of the course.
  • Do example assignments at http://www.psychstat.smsu.edu/stockburger/Psy527/Psy527Examples.asp before you attempt the assignments on your Gradebook.

 

Course Texts and Web Pages

 

1.      The Introductory Text can be ordered from various sources

1.1.      Atomic Dog Publishing at

http://www.atomicdogpublishing.com/BookDetails.asp?BookEditionID=82

1.2.      Amazon.com at

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1931442029/104-3781100-176071

2.      The Multivariate Text can be found  at http://www.psychstat.smsu.edu/multibook/mlt00.htm

3.      The Handbook for a Statistic Project can be found at

3.1.1.      http://www.psychstat.smsu.edu/handbook/hbk00.htm

4.      An excellent alternative source for much of the material can be found at http://www.statsoft.com/textbook/stathome.html

5.      Information and software about Rasch Scaling can be found at http://www.winsteps.com/

6.      Applying the Rasch Model: Fundamental Measurement in the Human Sciences
by Trevor G. Bond ; Paperback

 

Topics

Text

Week

Introduction

1

1

Models

1

1

Measurement

1

1

Frequency Polygons

1

2

The Normal Curve

1

2

Statistics

1

2

Transformations

1

3

Simple Linear Regression

1

3

Hypothesis Testing - Sampling Distribution

1

4

ANOVA

1

4

Errors in Hypothesis Testing

1

5

Test One

1

5

Additional Regression Topics - Hypothesis Testing

2

6

Additional Regression Topics - Dichotomous Variables

2

6

Discriminant Function Analysis

2

7

Cluster Analysis

2

8

Rasch Scaling Techniques

5, 6

9

Linear Transformations and Principal Components Analysis

2

10

Test Two

5, 6, 2

11

Multiple Regression with Two Variables

2

12

Multiple Regression with Many Variables

2

13

Multiple Regression with Categorical Variables

2

14

Two-way ANOVA

2

15

Many-way ANOVA

2

15

Project and Final

2

16

 

 

Non-discrimination Policy


It is the policy of Southwest Missouri State University not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, or veteran status in employment or in any program or activity offered or sponsored by the University. SMSU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Inquiries concerning the grievance procedure, Affirmative Action Program, or compliance with federal and state laws and guidelines should be addressed to Dr. Melissa Manning, Affirmative Action Officer, 128 Carrington Hall, 901

 

Americans with Disabilities Act
SMSU, as well as your instructor are committed to making reasonable modifications in policies, practices or procedures when such modifications are necessary for services or accommodations to legally protected individuals with disabilities. Students requesting academic adjustment should do so by contacting the Disability Support Services Office in 108 New Hall, 836-5527 (voice), or 836-6792 (TDD). If special accommodations or modifications are needed, please see the instructor after the first class session