Ainsworth Fall 2008 Psychology 420: Advanced Statistical Methods 14027 5:00-6:15pm MW in SH 391 Lab 14029 6:30-7:20pm MW SH 341 Information: Email address: [email protected] Website: http://www.csun.edu/~ata20315/psy420 Phone: 677-3898 Office: ST 302 Office Hours: 3-4pm M or by appointment TAs Huma Bhurawala Email: [email protected] Office hours: TBA in SH308a Cynthia Funes Email: [email protected] Office hours: TBA in SH308a Textbook: Required: Tabachnick, B. G., and Fidell, L. S. (2007). Experimental Designs Using ANOVA. Belmont, CA: Duxbury. Recommended Supplemental Texts: Keppel, G. & Wickens, T. (2004). Design and Analysis: A Researcher's Handbook (4th Ed.): Prentice Hall. Cohen, J., Cohen, P., West, S. G., & Aiken, L. S. (2003). Applied multipleregression/correlation analysis for the behavioral sciences (3rd Ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum. Course Description Univariate analysis of psychology research data using computational methods as well as packaged computer programs. Standard techniques with applications in psychology are covered. Choice of analytic technique is discussed, as are methods of screening data to assure appropriateness of techniques. Lab provides direct experience with computing facilities for conducting univariate analysis and computational methods extending statistical analysis provided by computer output. Catalog Explores the relationships between advanced statistical methods and psychological research methods. Advanced techniques of analysis of variance and regression analysis are emphasized. Lab considers problem-solving techniques and advanced computational methods needed to analyze data obtained in complex psychological experiments. Exams: Midterm examinations are scheduled for Monday, October 6th and Wednesday, November 12th. Each midterm examination will consist of 2 parts; one will be given during regular class and the other will be given during the lab time. Each part will consist of T/F, multiple-choice and short answer questions. Content for each midterm examination will be drawn from the assigned readings, the lecture material for the first part and the labs for the second part. The final exam is scheduled for Monday, December 15th from 5:30pm until 7:30pm. The final will consist of the same format as the 2 midterms and be approximately as long.Ainsworth Fall 2008 If any of these dates present a particular problem for you, please see me as soon as possible. Due to the rapid pace of the course and the large number of students enrolled, make-up exams are extremely difficult to arrange unless they are scheduled in advance. If you miss an exam without prior notice, please ensure that you have appropriate documentation to support your absence. I will deal with these situations on a case-by-case basis. Grades Class Grading: Midterm 1 (Mon 10/6) T/F, Multiple Choice, Short Answer questions Midterm 2 (Wed11/12) T/F, Multiple Choice, Short Answer questions Final (Mon 12/15) T/F, Multiple Choice, Short Answer questions Labs 9+ lab assignments throughout the semester Your grade in the class will be based on three exams and labs. Exams: There will be three exams worth 100 points each; a total of 300 points Lab Assignments: There will be graded lab assignments worth a total of 100 points. As you will learn in the course, the distribution of scores can be described in a standardized way. A Z-score is a standardized score which indicates how far a particular score is away from the mean (or average) score in terms of standard deviations (a measure of how wide a distribution is). Exam scores that are above the mean will have a positive Z-score, exam scores below the mean will have a negative Z-score. Exam Grade Estimation First convert your raw test score and convert it to a Z-score using the Z formula: raw test score test meantest standard deviationtestscoreXXZs This formula is not something you should be familiar with right now, but before your first exam you should understand this formula, what it means and how to interpret you grade based on the Z-score you receive. Using you raw score, the mean and standard deviation of the scores to calculate your Z-score you can then look up your Z-score on the table below to see your grade estimation .57 or above = A .43 = A- .16 = B+ -.16 = B -.43 = B- -.57 = C+ -.84 = C Below -.84 = C-Ainsworth Fall 2008 You grade in the class will be determined by either your average z-score on the 3 exams and your homework or your z-score on your total score (i.e. adding the exams and homework together). I will calculate your grade both ways and you will receive the better of the 2 grades if there is a difference. Lab Grading: Your labs will be graded and you will receive a grade based on your scores on 9 laboratory assignments that will help your overall score in the class/lab. You will receive the same grade for all 4 units of the class/lab. These labs are intended to teach you how to analyze data using “by hand” methods” as well as statistical programs available to you in the stats (and others) lab. Exam difficulty The exams are DIFFICULT. The scores are curved so this is really not a problem. In fact, hard exams are good because they allow the students who know more to distinguish themselves from those who don’t know very much. An exam that is too easy does not allow for a wide enough spread in the distribution. Some of the exam questions will be similar to questions in the book or examples done in class. Some of the questions will require you to understand the concepts well enough to relate them to each other in a potentially novel way. Formula Sheets You will be allowed a single sheet (1 side of an 8½ by 11 sheet) for the first exam, 2 sheets for the midterm and 3 for the final. You need to understand the concepts in the class and the formula sheets are only to assist in the application of formulas. It is imperative that you know the material well because the time allotted for the tests assumes you know the conceptual material, can analyze the data and can do it quickly. Every student is required to put together their own formula sheet(s). No Xeroxing of formula sheets for distribution.Ainsworth Fall 2008 Tentative Class Schedule Week Day Date Topic Chapter Lab 1 M 8/25 Intro and Review 1 & 2 #1 W 8/27 2 M 9/1 No Class Labor Day W 9/3 Basic ANOVA and GLM 3 #2 3 M 9/8 W 9/10 Fixed Effects ANOVA 4 #3 4 M 9/15 W 9/17 5 M 9/22 Factorial FE