Education 793Instructors: Eric Dey Janel Sutkus Julia ParkinsonSEB 2117 SEB 2108F SEB 1302Office hours: Monday by Thursday Tuesday appointment; 10-12 noon 2 – 4pmemail to arrangeEmail list: [email protected] practical detailsAssessment and evaluationCourse scheduleClass notes: Set 1Class notes: Set 2Hyperstat: Describing Univariate DataClass notes: Set 3Class notes: Set 4Class notes: Set 5SYLLABUSEducation 793Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Educational ResearchInstructors: Eric Dey Janel Sutkus Julia ParkinsonEmail @umich.edu dey jsutkus juliapSEB 2117 SEB 2108F SEB 1302Office hours: Monday by Thursday Tuesday appointment; 10-12 noon 2 – 4pmemail to arrangeMeetings: Wednesday, 1 - 4pm, SEB 2225Sutkus lab: Thursday, 5-7pm, Angell Hall, Computing Classroom AParkinson lab: Friday, 10am-noon, Angell Hall, ComputingClassroom AHome page: http://www.umich.edu/~ed793/CTools site: Resources available through the standard CTools web portal (https://ctools.umich.edu/portal/) or directly athttp://ed793.notlong.comEmail list: [email protected] 793 is a first course in undertaking quantitative research in the field of education, and a foundation for other methods courses in education and the social sciences. (A second course in this series, Education 795, is an extension of this course that focuses on more advanced methods.) By the end of this course you should have a fair idea of how to begin to make senseout of a body of quantitative data by applying standard computer-based data analysis methods and statistical reasoning. There will be some math involved in this course, but our primary focus will be on developing:1) An understanding of quantitative research methods, 2) Expertise in using various software tools useful in conducting educational research, and 3) Skill in communicating research results to others (in written form and through presentations).The course is organized into two major sections. The first section is designedto develop an understanding of basic educational research concepts, including methods designed to describe or summarize quantitative data -- descriptive statistics. Inferential statistics -- techniques designed to help us draw inferences about populations based on data from samples -- are the Fall, 2001 — Page 1focus of the second. All of these statistical ideas are embedded in case studies drawn from various subject areas relevant to education. For each case study, we will consider the issues motivating the research, the key research questions, and reports of findings. We will then undertake analyses the data using the techniques described above and, based on our work, we will critically evaluate the validity of inferences previously drawn. Thus, the course will consider all statistical choices and inferences in the context of the broader logic of educational inquiry with the aim of strengthening our understanding of that logic as well as of the statistical methods.Through the course and laboratory exercises students will develop a workingknowledge of SPSS statistical software. Some of our analyses -- especially those undertaken early in the course -- may be done by hand in order to get a better understanding of statistical techniques being presented. Given this, high school algebra -- remembered or relearned -- will be needed to get the most out of the course.Like most social science research endeavors, educational research is primarily a group activity. As such, there will be an emphasis on group work throughout the course. In addition, students are encouraged to communicate, ask and answer questions, and engage in class discussions via electronic mail (messages sent to [email protected] are automatically distributed to all class members and archived on our CTools site). MediaLecture and lab notes are available online through the CTools web page, andalso as a coursepack available through Dollar Bill’s Copying. You will find it most convenient if you dedicate a standard 3-ring binder to collect and organize the lecture materials.The text for this course is strongly recommended: Statistical Reasoning for the Behavioral Sciences (3rd Edition), by Richard J. Shavelson, published by Pearson, Allyn, & Bacon (1996). This text is available at local bookstores as well as online through Amazon.com (which also carries used copies). The majority of reading for the class will consist of publicly available on-line resources as well as materials made available through our CTools site. The primary on-line resources we will be using are HyperStat:http://davidmlane.com/hyperstat/and the StatSoft Electronic Textbook: http://www.statsoftinc.com/textbook/stathome.htmlDey: Ed 793 — Page 2All readings need to be completed before class on the assigned date, and should be brought to class for reference. Some practical detailsThe core of this course is a series of weekly research and writing assignments. By completing these assignments, students will develop and demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to undertake quantitative data analysis. Keeping up-to-date with these readings and assignments is crucial: You must understand the previous material in order to follow what comes next. Exercises are due at the start of lab the week after they are assigned; they will be read and returned the following week. Late assignments will be accepted, but they will be graded down substantially (25 percent reduction for any late submission; 50 percent reduction for any assignments more than one week late). There will also be a mid-term examination.For use during class and examination periods (and for your homework), you should have access to a battery-powered scientific calculator (unless, of course, you particularly enjoy doing tedious arithmetic computations by hand). In addition to simple arithmetic functions, the calculator should have the square-root function and a simple memory feature. You may find additional features -- such as basic statistical functions and programmability -- useful, but these are not strictly necessary for the purpose of this course.Basic instruction in SPSS in both Windows and Unix environments will be provided. You may find it useful to purchase a flash drive (key disk) to hold copies of your electronic working files.Dey: Ed 793 — Page 3Assessment and evaluationIt is often the case that students enter introductory research methods courses with educational and professional backgrounds