Sociology 360, Statistics for Sociologists ILecture 1, Spring, 2012Prof. John A. Logan4438 Sewell Social Scienceemail: [email protected]: 262-0995Office hours:Friday, 10-12, and by appointment Teaching Assistant So-jung Lim2438 Sewell Social Science email: [email protected]: 263-4522Office hours:Tuesday, 11-12; Wednesday 1-2Classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30-10:45 a.m., 6240 SewellMidterm exam: Tuesday, March 13, during class.Final exam block: Thursday, 5/17/2012, 2:45PM - 4:45PMCourse description: This is a first course in statistics designed for students in the social sciences. The first part of the course focuses on using statistics to describe data. We will cover strategies for exploring and interpreting data and for examining the relationship between variables. Topics covered include: describing data with bar charts, boxplots, and histograms; summary statistics; the normal distribution; scatterplots and correlation; regression; and two-way tables. We will also discuss the strengths and weaknesses of experiments and surveys as ways of producing data. The second part of the course focuses on statistical inference, or using data from samples to understand larger populations. In this part of the course we will discuss some logic and methods of making inferences about populations from sample data. Topics covered in this section include: probability basics, the meaning of statistical significance, how to calculate confidence intervals, and how to conduct inference for means, count data, and regressions. Throughout the course you will analyze small bodies of data and write up your findings.Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and basic algebra skills.Course website: The course website is available through Learn@UW. If you are enrolled in the course, you can access the site by going to http://learnuw.wisc.edu and entering your NetID and password. Once there, click on the link to Soc 360 under “My Madison Courses.” I plan to put copies of my lecture slides on this site, usually the same day as the lecture.Soc 360 Lecture 1 Syllabus, Spring, 20121Course materials:Required Text: Moore, Davis S. 2007. The Basic Practice of Statistics, Fourth Edition. New York: W.H. Freeman. (Available at the University Bookstore.)Stata: We will be using the professional statistical analysis package Stata for many of the homework problems. Your TA will be providing instruction about Stata in lab. Outside of lab, you can access Stata in the Social Science Microcomputer classroom in 3218 Social Science if there is not another class being held there, or in 4218 Social Science, which is the primary lab for student drop-in use. You will also be able to access Stata remotely from home. Your TA will cover how to do this in lab. Web Resources: The textbook comes with many useful online supplements that you are encouraged to explore (http://bcs.whfreeman.com/bps4e). These include self-quizzes, additional exercises, statistical applets, and data sets. In addition, all of the materials available on the free site are on the CD that originally came with your textbook.Calculators: You will need a calculator that can do “two-variable statistics” for the homework assignments and exams. Such calculators should be able to compute correlations and simple two-variable regressions. These calculators are relatively inexpensive, usually not more than $15. You might check with your TA for a recommended model. Programmable calculators are not permitted during exams.Homework:There will be homework problems assigned for each chapter, which will usually be due at the beginning of class on Thursdays on the week after the discussion of the chapter was completed in lecture. Homework received after the assigned time will be counted as late. Problem sets will usually be returned in class the next week and then discussed in lab. Grading of Homework: Homework will be given one of four marks: zero, passable, good or outstanding. Work marked zero must be redone and resubmitted, but cannot then receive a mark any better than “passable.” Correct answers will be provided and discussed in lab. If an emergency prevents you from turning in your homework on time, you may be able to get a short extension on the homework by contacting the TA before the assignment is due. Homework turned in after the due date but by the beginning of Tuesday's class will receive one mark lower than if turned in on time. If the assignment would have received a “good” if turned in on time, it will receive a “passable.” Homework will not be accepted after the beginning of class on the Tuesday after it was due. You may turn in late assignments to your TA or in class on Tuesday. In addition, since we understand that your schedule may not permit you to devote as much time as you would like to all of the Soc 360 Lecture 1 Syllabus, Spring, 20122homework assignments, your lowest score will be dropped when computing your final grade. Cooperating on Homework Assignments: You may discuss the problems on the weekly homework assignments with other students in the class to further your understanding of the material, but you must do any computations and complete your write-ups independently. Data analysis projects:In addition to the homework, there will be two data analysis projects. These projects are meant to put the material presented by Moore into context and to help solidify what you have learned. The first is a short project that focuses on descriptive statistics and graphical display of data. The final project will require you to apply the skills you have learned throughout the course. Further details will be distributed in class.Exams:There will be one midterm and a final exam. The midterm will cover Chapters 1 - 6, 8 and 9. The final will cover (only) the remaining chapters starting from Chapter 10. Exam questions will consist of a mix of multiple choice, true/false, and open-ended questions, requiring you to interpret results, discuss appropriate analytic methods, and perform relevant calculations. You may bring your (non-programmable) calculator to the exams but you must show enough handwork to demonstrate understanding.Make-up Examinations. If you cannot take an exam because of an unavoidable scheduling conflict (e.g., religious holiday, athletic event), you must contact the instructor (not the TA) via email at least 2 weeks prior to the exam date. If you have an emergency that prevents you from