Faculty of Science Course Syllabus Department of Psychology and Neuroscience PSYO 2501.03 Statistical Methods in Psychology Fall 2015

Faculty of Science Course Syllabus
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
PSYO 2501.03 Statistical Methods in Psychology
Fall 2015

PROFESSOR: Sophie Jacques
EMAIL: sophie.jacques@dal.ca
TEL: 902 494-‐3551
OFFICE: Life Sciences Centre -‐ Psychology 2336

LECTURES: Tuesdays & Thursdays -‐ 1:05 pm -‐ 2:25 pm
Studley McCain Arts & Social Sciences Bldg., AUD-‐1 (ScotiaBank Aud.)

OFFICE HOURS: Thursdays 2:35 to 4:30 pm or by appointment only

TEACHING ASSISTANTS: Tony Ingram and Kiera O’Neil (see location/hours of office hours next page).
Note office hours for TAs begin the week of September 21st.
___________________________________________________________________________________

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides an introduction to research design and statistics within Neuroscience and
Psychology. Particular emphasis is placed on conducting and interpreting various statistical
procedures, including descriptive and inferential statistics (z-‐test, t-‐test, ANOVA, chi-‐square tests),
frequently used in these fields.

COURSE PREREQUISITES

PSYO 2000.03 or NESC 2007.03 (may be taken concurrently), or instructor’s consent
EXCLUSIONS: PSYO 3501.03, STAT 2080.03

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES

The purpose of the course is to familiarize students with some of the basic statistical procedures used
in the behavioural sciences, as well as statistical theory underlying these procedures. Topics will
include variables, descriptive statistics, sampling and probability distributions, hypothesis-‐testing
procedures (z test, t test, ANOVA), effect size estimates, confidence intervals, correlation and
regression, and chi-‐square analyses. By the end of the course, you should be able to differentiate
between types of variables used in research designs as presented in written descriptions of studies;
produce and interpret simple descriptive statistics including numerical and graphical summaries given
relevant data; formulate null and alternate hypotheses from written descriptions; calculate by hand
simple inferential statistics for different kinds of predictor and response variables; and explain why a
scientific approach that includes statistics is necessary for acquiring proof of treatment effectiveness
in health and mental health research, and understanding human behaviour, more generally.
1

COURSE MATERIALS

-‐ All required course material can be found on the course website on BBLearn.

-‐ ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED READING
Lockhart, R. S. (1998). Introduction to statistics and data analysis for the behavioral sciences.
New York: W. H. Freeman. [Note. Used copies may be available around campus. Three
copies are also available on short-‐term loan from the Library.]

COURSE ASSESSMENT

Assignments (best 9 out of 10) 18 %* (2% each)
Exams (4 exams: 3 in class + 1 during Finals) 82 % total (Oct 13; Nov 5; Nov 26; Finals)
o Exam with highest mark worth 30 %
o Exam with 2nd highest mark worth 25 %
o Exam with 3rd highest mark worth 20 %
o Exam with lowest mark worth 07 %
Experimental Participation 03 % bonus

*Note. Assignments must be submitted to BBLearn by 1:00 pm before the beginning of class on the
day they are due, otherwise they will be assigned a mark of 0. Always “SUBMIT” your assignments,
even if you obtain zero. If you do not submit an assignment (even one not completed), you will not be
able to see the answer key later in the term if you want to study from it.

Letter Course Grade Grade Definition
Grade Equivalent
A+ 90-‐100 Excellent: Considerable evidence of original thinking; demonstrated
A 85-‐89 outstanding capacity to analyze and synthesize; outstanding grasp of
A-‐ 80-‐84 subject matter; evidence of extensive knowledge base.
B+ 77-‐79 Good: Evidence of grasp of subject matter, some evidence of critical
capacity and analytical ability; reasonable understanding of relevant
B 73-‐76 issues; evidence of familiarity with the literature.
B-‐ 70-‐72
C+ 65-‐69 Satisfactory: Evidence of some understanding of the subject matter;
C 60-‐64 ability to develop solutions to simple problems; benefitting from
C-‐ 55-‐59 his/her university experience.
D 50-‐54 Marginal Pass: Evidence of minimally acceptable familiarity with
subject matter, critical and analytical skills.
F < 50 Inadequate: Insufficient evidence of understanding of the subject
matter; weakness in critical and analytical skills; limited or irrelevant
use of the literature.

2

COURSE SCHEDULE AND LOCATION OF TEACHING ASSISTANTS AND PROFESSOR’S OFFICE HOURS

TIME MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
09:00-‐09:30 TI Office Hours TI Office Hours

LSC Psych4212 LSC Psych4212



11:00-‐11:30 TI Office Hours KO Office Hours TI Office Hours KO Office Hours

LSC Psych4212 LSC Psych4212 LSC Psych4212 LSC Psych4212
11:30-‐12:00 TI Office Hours KO Office Hours TI Office Hours KO Office Hours

LSC Psych4212 LSC Psych4212 LSC Psych4212 LSC Psych4212
12:00-‐12:30 KO Office Hours KO Office Hours

12:30-‐01:00 KO Office Hours KO Office Hours

01:00-‐01:30 Class Class
02:30-‐03:00 KO Office Hours SJ Office Hours




04:30-‐05:00
Note. Kiera O’Neil (KO) and Tony Ingram’s (TI) office hours begin the week of September 21st. There
will be no office hours on Monday October 12th, 2015, Wednesday November 11th, and Thursday
November 12th. TA office hours will continue until the fourth exam has taken place.
3

CLASS SCHEDULE
DATE LECTURE/CHAPTER ASSIGNMENT CHAPTER
Sept. 10 Course Introduction

Sept. 15 Purpose of Statistical Data Analysis – Variables Lecture/Chapter 1

Sept. 17 Graphical and Numerical Descriptions of Data Lecture/Chapter 2

Sept. 22 Graphical and Numerical Descriptions of Data

Sept. 24 Modelling Data and the Estimation of Parameters Assignment 1 (Ch. 1-‐2) Lecture/Chapter 3

Sept. 29 Modelling Data and the Estimation of Parameters

Oct. 01 Probability Distributions Assignment 2 (Ch. 3) Lecture/Chapter 4

Oct. 06 Probability Distributions

Oct. 08 Sampling Distributions and Interval Estimation Assignment 3 (Ch. 4) Lecture/Chapter 5

Oct. 13 EXAM #1 (Lectures/Chapters 1-‐4)

Oct. 15 Sampling Distributions and Interval Estimation

Oct. 20 Experiments with Two Independent Groups Assignment 4 (Ch. 5) Lecture/Chapter 6

Oct. 22 Experiments with Two Independent Groups

Oct. 27 Larger Experiments with Independent Groups – ANOVA (One-‐ Assignment 5 (Ch. 6) Lecture/Chapter 7 (7.1
Way Design) & 7.2)
Oct. 29 Larger Experiments with Independent Groups – ANOVA
(Factorial Design)
Nov. 03 Larger Experiments with Independent Groups – ANOVA Assignment 6 (Ch. 7.1 & 7.2) Lecture/Chapter 7
(Factorial Design) (7.3)
Nov. 05 EXAM #2 (Lectures/Chapters 5-‐7.2)

Nov. 10 Larger Experiments with Independent Groups – ANOVA
(Factorial Design)
Nov. 12 STUDY DAY

Nov. 17 Increasing Precision Assignment 7 (Ch. 7.3) Lecture/Chapter 8

Nov. 19 Increasing Precision – ANOVA (Within-‐Groups Design)

Nov. 24 Quantitative Predictor Variables: Linear Regression and Assignment 8 (Ch. 8) Lecture/Chapter 9
Correlation
Nov. 26 EXAM #3 (Lectures/Chapters 7.3-‐8)

Dec. 01 Quantitative Predictor Variables: Linear Regression and
Correlation
Dec. 03 Categorical Response Variables and Distribution-‐Free Methods Assignment 9 (Ch. 9) Lecture/Chapter 10
(chi-‐square)
Dec. 08 Categorical Response Variables and Distribution-‐Free Methods Assignment 10 (Ch. 10)-‐due
(chi-‐square) -‐ Review and Summary Dec. 09
4

OTHER INFORMATION

ANNOUNCEMENTS

All students are responsible for all announcements made in class and all material covered in lectures
whether they attend class or not. It is students’ responsibility to get information from classmates on
any potential announcements made in class in their absence.

INSTRUCTOR AND TEACHING ASSISTANT AVAILABILITY

Due to the amount of time required to answer questions via email, I will only respond to email
inquiries during or after my office hours (i.e., if you email me on Friday, you should not expect an
immediate response that day, I may respond on Friday, but you may receive a response by Thursday
evening). I (or the teaching assistants) will not solve or explain statistical problems over email. You
must come to our office hours for answers to these kinds of questions. Nonpersonal questions also
can be posted on the Discussion Group on BBLearn as fellow students may be able to answer them.

In addition, given that we have other responsibilities, we do not appreciate it when students drop by
our offices outside of office hours with “just a quick question” (the questions may be quick, but more
often than not, answers are not). However, I come to class early and I am the last to leave so that I
can answer any quick questions students may have. I also hold office hours on a weekly basis and will
gladly meet with students who cannot make it at these times by pre-‐arranged appointments.

The teaching assistants and I will be available to answer questions, assist with exercises, etc. during
our office hours. I strongly urge you to take full advantage of these hours for help with difficult
questions or course material.

ASSIGNMENTS

NO MAKE-‐UP ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE OFFERED. The purpose of the assignments is to give students
practice problems to learn the material. Given that students often choose to do their assignments in
groups, it is possible to do assignments as a group. However, all students must submit their own
answers on BBLearn by the deadline date and time. DO NOT POST ANSWERS ON THE COURSE
DISCUSSION BOARD. DOING SO WILL RESULT IN A MARK OF ZERO FOR THAT ASSIGNMENT.

All assignments are due on BBLearn by the beginning of class (i.e., by 1:00 pm) on the day that they
are due. Missed assignments without a valid medical or personal reason will be assigned a mark of
zero. Please contact me before or on the same day that the assignment is due if you cannot submit
the assignment on time. Relevant written documentation will be required. (Note: General notes from
physicians stating that you visited their office are not sufficient. The note must clearly specify that you
were too sick at the time of the assignment to do the assignment on time. Exact dates for when you
were ill must appear on the note as well.) There are no make-‐up assignments. For anyone who missed
an assignment with a valid reason, final assignment marks will be pro-‐rated by not counting the
missed assignment.
5

EXAM INFORMATION

1. Missed Exams

NO MAKE-‐UP EXAMS WILL BE OFFERED. If you miss one exam for a valid reason, your exam marks
will be weighted such that your best exam will be worth 31 %, your 2nd highest exam will be worth 28
%, and your 3rd highest exam will be worth 23 %. The assignments will still be worth 18 %. If you miss
two exams for a valid reasons, you will obtain an ILL for the course and have to take it again. PLEASE
CONTACT ME BEFORE OR ON THE SAME DAY OF THE EXAM IF YOU MISS IT. IF YOU ARE ILL AT AN
EXAM ITSELF, YOU MUST LET ME KNOW BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE EXAM. Relevant written
documentation will be required. (Note: General notes from physicians stating that you visited their
office are not sufficient. The note must clearly specify that you were too sick at the time of an exam to
complete the exam. Exact dates for when you were ill must appear on the note as well.)

2. Calculators

You will need an electronic calculator throughout the course (preferably solar powered), as well as for
the exams. Any calculator is OK provided that it is non-‐programmable and does not store text. Any
nonapproved programmable calculators will be removed during the exams when found and students
will not be allowed to get a new one. If you are unsure about your calculator’s capability, come to see
me with it during my office hours or before/after class. It will be very helpful if the calculator has
reciprocal and square root functions and at least one memory key. Cell phones, tablets, computers or
any other electronic devices are not acceptable.

3. Statistical Tables

Statistical tables will be provided as needed for exams. They will be exact copies of the tables found
on the course BBLearn website. Ensure that you use these exact tables to do assignments because
analogous tables from other sources may give you different values as these may be rounded or
arranged differently.

4. Material Covered in Exams

The material covered in each exam will focus primarily on the topics covered prior to each exam.
However, due to the nature of statistics, cumulative understanding of the first exam material is
required for material covered in the second, third and fourth exams.

5. Partial Marks

Because questions on assignments and exams are short in general, they will be marked either right or
wrong. However, partial marks may be given for certain questions on assignments.

6

6. Sample Exams

Sample exams are made available on BBLearn for each exam. These sample exams are intended
merely to give you an idea about possible questions on the exam, not a means of guessing which
topics will be included. Do not assume that real exams will consist only of minor variants on these
questions. Any one exam can cover only a fraction of the topics covered. Also, the exams themselves
consist of multiple-‐choice questions, whereas the sample exams are not. Answer keys for the sample
exams are available on BBlearn.

7. Problems and Exercises

The key to doing well in the course is to do as many exercises as possible, attend lectures, and read
the lecture summaries provided. Do exercises during the week in which that the topic is being
covered in lectures to ensure that you understand the material before being introduced to new
material. In addition, prior to exams, do problems from each of the topics (mixed together). Also, take
advantage of the teaching assistants’ office hours for help with any problems you cannot solve.

8. Review of Marking of Assignment and Exam Questions

I will review any marking of assignment or exam questions that you think may be inaccurate or unfair
to all students. The procedure you should follow is as follows: Submit a brief statement describing
which question(s) is (are) at issue and why. Any such submission may be made no later than 1 week
following the due date of the assignment or the return of the exam mark in question.

PARTICIPATION IN IN-‐CLASS AND AFTER-‐CLASS ACTIVITIES

To make some of the statistical concepts that you will learn more concrete, we will be doing a variety
of in class and after class activities. Some of the activities will consist of answering questions about
the class material, some will require you to participate in psychological experiments for which we will
then analyze the data in class anonymously.

EXPERIMENTAL PARTICIPATION FOR CREDIT POINTS

Students can earn up to 3 bonus marks to their final course grade by taking part in experiments. 1
credit point will be awarded for each experimentation hour up to a maximum of 3 points. Students
have until the last day of classes to assign credit points to Psyo 2501 and can sign up for experiments
at https://dalpsyc.sona-‐systems.com/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=/

7

ACCOMMODATION POLICY FOR STUDENTS

Students may request accommodation as a result of barriers related to disability, religious obligation,
or any characteristic protected under Canadian Human Rights legislation. The full text of Dalhousie’s
Student Accommodation Policy can be accessed here:
http://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/policies/academic/student-‐accommodation-‐policy-‐
wef-‐sep-‐-‐1-‐-‐2014.html

Students who require accommodation for classroom participation or the writing of tests and exams
should make their request to the Advising and Access Services Centre (AASC) prior to or at the
outset of the regular academic year. More information and the Request for Accommodation form
are available at www.dal.ca/access.

A note taker is required to assist a student in this class. There is an honorarium of $75/course/term,
with some conditions. If you are interested, please go to the Advising and Access Services Centre,
Killam G28 for more information or send an email to notetaking@dal.ca.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Academic integrity, with its embodied values, is seen as a foundation of Dalhousie University. It is the
responsibility of all students to be familiar with behaviours and practices associated with academic
integrity. Instructors are required to forward any suspected cases of plagiarism or other forms of
academic cheating to the Academic Integrity Officer for their Faculty. The Academic Integrity website
(http://academicintegrity.dal.ca) provides students and faculty with information on plagiarism and
other forms of academic dishonesty, and has resources to help students succeed honestly. The full
text of Dalhousie’s Policy on Intellectual Honesty and Faculty Discipline Procedures is available here:
http://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/academic-‐integrity/academic-‐policies.html

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

Dalhousie University has a student code of conduct, and it is expected that students will adhere to the
code during their participation in lectures and other activities associated with this course. In general:
“The University treats students as adults free to organize their own personal lives, behaviour and
associations subject only to the law, and to University regulations that are necessary to protect
-‐ the integrity and proper functioning of the academic and non-‐academic programs and activities of
the University or its faculties, schools or departments;
-‐ the peaceful and safe enjoyment of University facilities by other members of the University and
the public;
-‐ the freedom of members of the University to participate reasonably in the programs of the
University and in activities on the University's premises;
-‐ the property of the University or its members.”

The full text of the code can be found here:
http://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/policies/student-‐life/code-‐of-‐student-‐conduct.html

8

SERVICES AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS

The following campus services are available to help students develop skills in library research,
scientific writing, and effective study habits. The services are available to all Dalhousie students and,
unless noted otherwise, are free.

Service Support Provided Location Contact
General Help with Killam Library In person: Killam Library Rm G28
Academic -‐ understanding degree Ground floor By appointment:
Advising requirements and academic Rm G28 -‐ e-‐mail: advising@dal.ca
regulations Bissett Centre -‐ Phone: (902) 494-‐3077
-‐ choosing your major for Academic -‐ Book online through MyDal
-‐ achieving your educational or Success
career goals
-‐ dealing with academic or other
difficulties
Dalhousie Help to find books and articles for Killam Library In person: Service Point (Ground floor)
Libraries assignments Ground floor By appointment:
Help with citing sources in the text Librarian Identify your subject librarian (URL below) and contact
of your paper and preparation of offices by email or phone to arrange a time:
bibliography http://dal.beta.libguides.com/sb.php?subject_id=34328
Studying for Help to develop essential study Killam Library To make an appointment:
rd
Success skills through small group 3 floor -‐ Visit main office (Killam Library main floor, Rm G28)
(SFS) workshops or one-‐on-‐one coaching Coordinator -‐ Call (902) 494-‐3077
sessions Rm 3104 -‐ email Coordinator at: sfs@dal.ca or
Match to a tutor for help in course-‐ Study Coaches -‐ Simply drop in to see us during posted office hours
specific content (for a reasonable Rm 3103 All information can be found on our website:
fee) www.dal.ca/sfs
Writing Meet with coach/tutor to discuss Killam Library To make an appointment:
Centre writing assignments (e.g., lab Ground floor -‐ Visit the Centre (Rm G25) and book an appointment
report, research paper, thesis, Learning -‐ Call (902) 494-‐1963
poster) Commons & -‐ email writingcentre@dal.ca
-‐ Learn to integrate source material Rm G25 -‐ Book online through MyDal
into your own work appropriately We are open six days a week
-‐ Learn about disciplinary writing See our website: writingcentre.dal.ca
from a peer or staff member in
your field

GOOD LUCK!
9

Faculty of Science Course Syllabus Department of Psychology and Neuroscience PSYO 2501.03 Statistical Methods in Psychology Fall 2015

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Faculty of Science Course Syllabus Department of Psychology and Neuroscience PSYO 2501.03 Statistical Methods in Psychology Fall 2015

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09:00-‐09:30 TI Office Hours TI Office Hours

09:30-‐10:00 TI Office Hours TI Office Hours

10:00-‐10:30 TI Office Hours TI Office Hours

10:30-‐11:00 TI Office Hours TI Office Hours

11:00-‐11:30 TI Office Hours KO Office Hours TI Office Hours KO Office Hours

11:30-‐12:00 TI Office Hours KO Office Hours TI Office Hours KO Office Hours

12:00-‐12:30 KO Office Hours KO Office Hours

12:30-‐01:00 KO Office Hours KO Office Hours

01:00-‐01:30 Class Class

01:30-‐02:00 Class Class

02:00-‐02:30 Class Class

02:30-‐03:00 KO Office Hours SJ Office Hours

03:00-‐03:30 KO Office Hours SJ Office Hours

03:30-‐04:00 KO Office Hours SJ Office Hours

04:00-‐04:30 KO Office Hours SJ Office Hours

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Faculty of Science Course Syllabus Department of Psychology and Neuroscience PSYO 2501.03 Statistical Methods in Psychology Fall 2015

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Faculty of Science Course Syllabus Department of Psychology and Neuroscience PSYO 2501.03 Statistical Methods in Psychology Fall 2015

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Copyright:

Available Formats

09:00-­‐09:30 TI Office Hours TI Office Hours

09:30-­‐10:00 TI Office Hours TI Office Hours

10:00-­‐10:30 TI Office Hours TI Office Hours

10:30-­‐11:00 TI Office Hours TI Office Hours

11:00-­‐11:30 TI Office Hours KO Office Hours TI Office Hours KO Office Hours

11:30-­‐12:00 TI Office Hours KO Office Hours TI Office Hours KO Office Hours

12:00-­‐12:30 KO Office Hours KO Office Hours

12:30-­‐01:00 KO Office Hours KO Office Hours

01:00-­‐01:30 Class Class

01:30-­‐02:00 Class Class

02:00-­‐02:30 Class Class

02:30-­‐03:00 KO Office Hours SJ Office Hours

03:00-­‐03:30 KO Office Hours SJ Office Hours

03:30-­‐04:00 KO Office Hours SJ Office Hours

04:00-­‐04:30 KO Office Hours SJ Office Hours

You might also like

09:00-‐09:30 TI Office Hours TI Office Hours

09:30-‐10:00 TI Office Hours TI Office Hours

10:00-‐10:30 TI Office Hours TI Office Hours

10:30-‐11:00 TI Office Hours TI Office Hours

11:00-‐11:30 TI Office Hours KO Office Hours TI Office Hours KO Office Hours

11:30-‐12:00 TI Office Hours KO Office Hours TI Office Hours KO Office Hours

12:00-‐12:30 KO Office Hours KO Office Hours

12:30-‐01:00 KO Office Hours KO Office Hours

01:00-‐01:30 Class Class

01:30-‐02:00 Class Class

02:00-‐02:30 Class Class

02:30-‐03:00 KO Office Hours SJ Office Hours

03:00-‐03:30 KO Office Hours SJ Office Hours

03:30-‐04:00 KO Office Hours SJ Office Hours

04:00-‐04:30 KO Office Hours SJ Office Hours