SOC 390 Syllabus (Spring C 2015)

SOC 390: Social Statistics
Spring C 2015 - SLN 15338
Instructor: Bethany Van Vleet
Office: Cowden 101 Office Hours: By E-mail/Live Online/By appointment
E-mail: sparkyfan@asu.edu (BEST way to contact me) Office Phone: 480-965-8335 (this is a shared phone)
Catalog Course Description
Descriptive and inferential statistical methods for analysis of social data. Will involve use of computer applications.
Highly Recommended: College Math (MAT 142) or higher
Course Objectives
This course aims to give you an appreciation for the importance of statistics in everyday life! Statistics is not only useful for
people who want to conduct research – it is useful to anyone who wants to be a wise consumer of information. Numbers
presented on TV, in newspapers, and even in your classrooms can be misleading and, at times, may be purposefully
used to deceive you – with a basic understanding of statistics, you can be prepared to recognize what certain statistics
really mean.
Overall, this course will introduce you to statistics in the social sciences. You will not only learn how to perform statistical
calculations by hand, but how to execute and interpret basic SPSS (statistical software package) programs. After taking
this course you will have a basic understanding of how to analyze, organize, and interpret data.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
(a) analyze, organize, and interpret data
(b) understand the logic of hypothesis testing
(c) choose appropriate statistical procedures
(d) understand and use the most common statistical tests.
(e) create and manage computer files and use SPSS software
Required Text and Materials
• The Essentials of Statistics: A Tool for Social Research, third edition, by Joseph F. Healey
• You will need a computer with a webcam and microphone, a reliable internet connection, and access to the
myASU/Blackboard class site.
o If you do not have one already, webcams and microphones can be purchased for approximately $30 and $8
respectively (although I have found each under $5). Any webcam and microphone that is compatible with
your computer will be appropriate.
• SPSS (any version, including PASW 18). SPSS is a statistical software program commonly used for data analysis
in the social sciences. You will not be able to analyze data by hand or be provided with the data in alternative
formats. See Blackboard > SPSS Resources for information on how to access SPSS in the following ways:
o Download SPSS onto your computer through My Apps (preferred method)
o Run SPSS through the internet using My Apps (http://myapps.asu.edu)
o ASU Campus Computers (Computer Commons, Coor Computer Lab, typically NOT the library computers)
o 14 day free SPSS trial - http://www.spss.com/software/statistics/ (you may use this as a back-up method)
o Take the time to practice opening SPSS EARLY – do not wait until an assignment due date to first try to
open SPSS as it is not uncommon to have problems with the program when first downloading/opening it.
• You must use your ASU email address and check your email often; if you use another provider, such as Yahoo or
Hotmail, simply have your ASU email forwarded to that address, but beware that your provider might bounce the email
back to ASU and you will not receive the email (it appears that this is especially a problem with AOL).
I post a copy of every e-mail I send to the class under Announcements – if you are seeing announcements but not
receiving those announcements as e-mails, please contact me immediately. I will also be answering questions under
the discussion board – be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the discussion board threads so that you receive notification of
when I post information to the discussion board.
Important Note: This syllabus is subject to change. You will be responsible for keeping track of all modifications. You will
be notified of modifications through your ASU e-mail and Blackboard Announcements.

Evaluation and Grades
A student’s grade will be determined based on the following:
• EXAMS will cover reading and online lectures and materials. Students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge
of key terms and concepts, as well as an ability to use and apply any equations covered in a unit. SPSS will NOT
be used on exams. Questions will be in the form of multiple choice, matching, true/false, and fill in the blank.
EXAMS ARE NOT CUMULATIVE, although some concepts from previous chapters serve as building blocks
and foundations for new information. Exams will be timed – once you enter an exam, you must complete it at
that time, within the time limit (even if you close an in-progress exam, the clock continues running until you
hit “submit”). Exams will also be administered using Respondus Monitor, which requires you to show ID and
then records you as you complete your exam.
You have the option of re-taking exams on which you score fewer than 35 points.
o Exam re-takes must be completed by the SUNAY following the exam.
o If you earn a 35 or higher on the exam within 2 re-take attempts, then you will earn 35 points for the exam.
o IF YOUR RE-TAKE SCORE IS LOWER THAN YOUR ORIGINAL EXAM SCORE, then your final
exam score will be your most recent re-take score.
o If your re-take score is higher than your original exam score (but not 35 or more points), then your final exam
score will be your most recent re-take score.
o If you get a D or E on an exam and do NOT re-take it by Sunday, then you cannot re-take it. If, at the end
of the semester, you are one point away from a grade, you CANNOT go back and re-take past exams to try
to earn that point. You should ALWAYS do your best. Do not wait until the end of the semester to see
whether or not you should have been trying harder.
• ASSIGNMENTS will aim to help you understand statistical concepts in a real-world context. Assignments also
aim to help you learn to use the popular statistics program SPSS. Assignments cannot be made up for any
reason. Instead of allowing students to make up assignments (for legitimate reasons or not), your lowest
assignment score on an assignment worth 5 points will be dropped, including a score of 0.
o NOTE 1: You may find that you are able to easily get 100% on the assignments, but this does not mean
that you are prepared for the exam. The assignments are designed to help you apply SOME of the concepts
you are learning about – they are not an adequate gauge of whether you understand ALL of the materials
covered in each unit.
o NOTE 2: I expect you to complete (or at least attempt) assignments 24 hours BEFORE the due date
so that we can address any potential problems you might encounter early. If you decide to start as
assignment ON the due date and something goes wrong (ex. your computer stops working), then it was
your decision to push the limits. The take home message: Don’t wait until the last minute! Also note
that students who first attempt assignments ON the due date tend to have lower final grades in this
class – if you want an A, you need to behave like an A student by doing things early.
I GUARANTEE A PERFECT ASSIGNMENT SCORE IF you: 1) Start/attempt the assignment early. 2) E-
mail me with questions when you have them! 3) Contact me for guidance/help when you miss questions on
first and second attempts. 4) Respond to my questions and follow my suggestions.
• CHAPTER ASSESSMENTS will help you assess your understanding of some of the content from each chapter.
Chapter assessments are required, Pass/Fail assignments. When you pass an assessment with a 70% or higher, you
receive 2.5 points; when you fail an assessment, you receive 0 points.
Grades will be determined by your total points.
4 Exams @ 50 points each = 200 points possible
Assignments (55 points; 1 5-point assignment dropped) = 50 points possible
Chapter Assessments (12 @ 2.5 points each; 2 dropped) = 25 points possible
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE = 275 points
269 to 275 = A+
250 to 268 = A
242 to 246 = B+
222 to 241 = B
214 to 219 = C+
192 to 213 = C
165 to 191 = D
0 to 164 = E

247 to 249 = A- 220 to 221 = B-
[Note that one point away is still ONE POINT AWAY.]
Course Policies
READ THEM ALL (I know they are long, but understanding them will help you)! 
If you ask me a question answered in the course policies, do not be offended or surprised if I respond by telling you to review
the course policies. I do this to help you learn how to use the resources available to you and seek out answers.
On being responsible adults with integrity:
o As adults, you are responsible for reading/following the syllabus, reading the announcements daily, reading class
question discussion board posts, completing the assignments in a timely manner (NEVER starting an assignment on
the day it was due), and using an appropriate computer.
o Students are expected to maintain the highest levels of personal and academic integrity (this will get you
further in life than being dishonest). ASU’s Academic Integrity policy
(http://provost.asu.edu/academicintegrity/policy) holds students to a code of conduct that defines academic
dishonesty to include cheating, plagiarism, academic deceit, falsifying records, and inappropriate collaboration.
Academic dishonesty, including plagiarism (intentional or not) is unacceptable and consequences may include (but
are not limited to) a 0 on an assignment, a failing class grade, and/or your name may be forwarded to the academic
standards/dishonesty committee and the Dean's office. Further, it is YOUR responsibility to know what
plagiarism and academic dishonesty are!
You are required to be familiar with the policies at http://ssfd.asu.edu/honesty and
http://provost.asu.edu/academicintegrity/policy. These pages specify a range of sanctions that faculty and instructors
can choose from when violations occur. All ASU students, including those enrolled in this course, are held to
the standards in the policy.
o Please keep the content of your e-mails appropriate for a business/professional environment and be courteous
and respectful in the tone and content of your emails. I will not respond to emails that are rude, abusive, haughty
and demanding, or threatening. Below are best practices that will help get you started on the right foot in
school and employment communication:
o Before you are familiar with an individual (and unless they tell you otherwise), it is always wise to
address them formally and appropriately (Dr., Ms. Mr.). Take time to determine whether someone has
a PhD, for example, before addressing him/her as Mr. or Ms. [For the record, I am comfortable with you
addressing me as either: Bethany or Dr. Van Vleet]
o Compose your messages with complete sentences and proper spelling (do NOT use text-messaging
language, e.g. “u” for “you.”). Always present your best self through your writing.
o Make sure the subject line of your e-mail reflects the content of the e-mail. E-mails with subject lines
such as “hello” will likely remain unopened or be deleted. In a class setting, include the course
prefix/number as part of the subject (ex. SOC 390).
o In a class setting, include the course prefix/number and format/day/session in the body of your e-mail
so that the instructor can easily find you in the gradebook (if needed) and respond to your questions. For
example: I am in SOC 390 online, session B.
o Before you e-mail with a question, take some time to look for the answer. If you have a question on how the
course runs, for example, first read through the syllabus carefully. Next, read through the student discussion board
posts (better yet – subscribe to the discussion board so that you can see questions and answers as soon as they are
asked). If you ask a question that is answered in the syllabus or discussion board, do not be offended if my response
is “see the syllabus” or “see the discussion board” – I am simply trying to help you learn how to find the answers
yourself.
o In an online course, I understand some students are hesitant to contact the instructor and ask questions. However,
my job is to be here to clarify concepts, guide you through difficult concepts/assignments, and help you learn!
I do not expect that the class links and documents will always be enough to make certain concepts clear (hence, why

an instructor is present)! Don’t put me out of a job by keeping questions to yourself and struggling through
assignments/concepts without guidance – contact me as soon as concerns or questions arise and never feel afraid to
do that! The sooner you ask questions, the better I can help!
On technology:
o It is your responsibility to learn how to use myASU, download SPSS, and submit assignments to the various utilities
correctly. The TA, instructor, SSFD staff, and ASU technical support are resources that are available to you.
o Occasionally, technology is evil. Often, these problems are “user errors” (i.e., a problem at your computer that I
have no control over). If you have a problem, you must email me immediately. Do not wait until the next day or
the end of the semester to inform me of a problem. It is because the evilness of technology that you are required to
attempt assignments at least the day before they are due – this will help protect you (see the section on “completing
work” below for details).
o All exams will be delivered using Respondus Monitor. This means, you must download and use a special
browser in order to open exams. This browser will make it so that you cannot open ANYTHING on your computer
during the exam (so, if you type your notes, you will need to print them before taking the exam. This also means
that you will be required to show ID prior to completing your exam and be recorded as you complete your
exam. You will need to make sure all windows and pop-up windows, such as chat and e-mail, are closed before
taking the exam). Go to the Blackboard course site under “Respondus Browser” to download the browser and
learn about using the browser to make sure you are prepared to take the exams.
o Occasionally, an exam will “lock up.” Usually, this is due to your error (i.e., using a home computer that does not
have stable internet connection, such as Cox Cable). You will be allowed two unlocks of an exam over the course of
the semester. After two unlocks, no exams will be unlocked for the rest of the semester, and you will have to accept
whatever grade you received up to the point on the locked exam/quiz.
o If you get disconnected from an exam, you must first try to re-enter the exam as quickly as possible since
THE TIMER KEEPS RUNNING ONCE AN EXAM IS OPENED (whether you are still in the exam or not).
You may need to re-start or hard-start your computer in order to exit, then re-enter, the exam.
o If you are unable to re-enter the exam, or problems persist, making finishing the exam within the
time limit unlikely, contact the professor IMMEDIATELY through email.
o NEVER, EVER guess on your exam questions or rush through exam questions in order to complete
the exam when technical difficulties make finishing the exam within the time limit impossible – once
you finish an exam and answer all of the questions, I cannot allow you to re-take it, so you will be
stuck with the grade you earned.
o If you e-mail the instructor about problems in completing your exam, check your e-mail regularly so
you will be aware as soon as the instructor responds.
o Unless you have a personal or very individualized question [ex. What did I miss on the assignment?], all questions
related to the class should be asked through the discussion board. Students must check the discussion board
daily or subscribe to it (which then emails all questions and my answers to you). It is easier to communicate through
the discussion board, allowing for everyone to keep up with questions about or changes in the class and allowing
students to benefit from common questions and answers.
On completing (or not completing) work:
o Deadlines are given well in advance; these deadlines are “DUE BY” dates and NOT “DO” dates. Starting an
assignment at the last minute is unwise and by doing so, you are making the choice to put yourself at risk
(remember – blackboard always decides to break the night an assignment is due). To avoid these unexpected
circumstances that may prevent you from submitting your work on time, you should submit assignments 24 hours
before the due date. Think of the actual “due date” as a “last chance” to get a problem resolved.
o I will not respond to questions about assignments on the day that assignments are due. I do this to encourage
students to complete assignments early AND to ensure that I have time to properly respond to student questions.
o Many assignments may take the FULL UNIT to complete them. Assignments often involve new concepts, new
skills (running data in SPSS), and some degree of frustration. By working on assignments early in the unit, you will
be sure to have time to ask questions and get feedback and guidance, thus dramatically decreasing your stress,
anxiety, and frustrations. If you attempt assignments early AND ask questions as they arise (NOT AFTER

COMPLETING YOUR ASSIGNMENT FOR THE THIRD AND FINAL TIME), you should be able to receive
perfect scores on all of your assignments.
o If you forget or fail to complete an assignment for any reason, no make ups are available to you. Instead, your
lowest assignment score (on an assignment worth 5 points) will be dropped. If an issue continues (or is likely to
continue) over time that prevents you from completing multiple assignments, please contact me immediately to
discuss your options.
o The class cannot be individualized by me to accommodate vacations, family reunions, job interviews, work
schedules, weddings, honeymoons, 21st
birthdays, etc. (and yes…people ask for this). The class is set up in a way
that allows most people to “individualize” the class for themselves. For example, if you know you have job training
one week, complete all your assignments prior to that week. If you know you will be out of town, find a computer
with Internet access to complete assignments/exams. If you have to work from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on a test day, take
the test at 6 a.m. Again, pay attention to due dates.
o If you miss an exam due to a family vacation, forgetting about the exam, a hangover, etc., you may take the
exam for partial credit; however, you must complete the exam by the exam repeat due date. You cannot take a
prior exam once the next exam is made available to students. Please let me know immediately if you plan to miss
(or missed) an exam due to special, documented circumstances (e.g., serious health problems).
On course grades and grade questions/concerns:
o You are responsible for keeping submission receipts and confirming that assignments and exams are submitted and
scored correctly. If there appears to be an error in an assignment/exam being submitted (a grade or ! does not appear
in the gradebook once you submit it), it is your responsibility to notify the instructor IMMEDIATELY.
o A grade of ! on an exam indicates you went over time, but that your exam was submitted correctly.
• Your final grade is based on points and not percentages. This means you must receive the actual number of
points for a grade as stated in the syllabus (in combination with exam grades of C or higher if you want at least a C
in the class). One point away from the desired grade is still one point away (even if you feel like you worked hard,
deserve a different grade, etc.). Therefore, please do NOT ask for extra credit at the end of the semester
because you are "just --- points away" or because you worked hard enough for a grade of --- [individualized extra
credit opportunities are never available – it is unfair to the other students who would also like additional extra
credit]. If you do ask for extra credit, there will be a 5 point penalty from your total points.
On legal stuff:
o All contents of the lectures, written materials distributed online, and assignment content are under copyright
protection. This means that students are prohibited from selling materials and/or notes derived from this
class.

TENTATIVE CLASS CALENDAR
Week of… Topics Readings Assignments (due date), due at 7pm
Unit 1: Building Blocks
Jan. 11 Class Policies, How to Succeed Blackboard Class Policies (Th 1/22)
Using SPSS (Th 1/22)
Jan. 18 Introduction Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Assessment (Th 1/22)
Jan. 25 Descriptive Statistics Percentages, Ratios and
Rates, Tables, Charts, and Graphs
Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Assessment (Th 1/29)
Damned Lies (Th 1/29)
1000 words (Th 1/29)
Feb. 1 Measures of Central Tendency Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Assessment (Th 2/5)
Meet the Class (Th 2/5)
Unit 1 Exam: Available Friday, Feb. 6 at 7am to Saturday, Feb. 7 at 10am
Unit 2: Fun with Numbers – Getting Started!
Feb. 8 Measures of Dispersion Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Assessment (Th 2/12)
Home, Home on the RANGE (Th 2/12)
Feb. 15
and 22
The Normal Curve Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Assessment (Th 2/26)
Let’s Catch Some Zzzzzs (Th 2/26)
March 1 Introduction to Inferential Statistics, the Sampling
Distribution, and Estimation
You just need some confidence! (Th 3/5)
Unit 2 Exam: Available Friday, March 6 at 7am to Saturday, March 7 at 10am
Unit 3: Put it to the Test!
March 8 SPRING BREAK!
March 15 Hypothesis Testing I (one sample; t-test) Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Assessment (Th 3/19)
March 22
and 29
Hypothesis Testing II (two samples; t-test) Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Assessment (Th 4/2)
Like some t? (Th 4/2)
April 5 Hypothesis Testing III (ANOVA) Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Assessment (Th 4/9)
ANOVA you did last summer (Th 4/9)
Unit 3 Exam: Available Friday, April 10 at 7am to Saturday, April 11 at 10am
Unit 4: Let’s Talk Relationships
April 12 Association between variables measured at the
nominal level
April 19 Association between Variables Measured at the
Interval-Ratio Level (Regression and Correlation)
Let’s talk relationships (Th 4/23)
April 26 Multivariate Techniques Chapter 14 Chapter 14 Assessment (Th 4/30)
Which test do I use? (Th 4/30)
Unit 4 Exam: Available Friday, May 1 at 7am to Saturday, May 2 at 10am
See following page for other important dates and deadlines
Spring 2015, Session C: Monday, 1/12 – Friday, 5/1

See https://students.asu.edu/academic-calendar for the full calendar.
Classes Begin Session C
January 12, 2015
Last day to register or drop/add without college approval Session C
January 18, 2015
Tuition & Fees 100% Refund Deadline – For more information see Tuition and
Refund Policy
Session C
January 25, 2015
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Observed – University Closed January 19, 2015
Tuition Fee Payment Deadline – For registration from 10/27/14 through 1/18/14
for non financial aid students and students who have not accepted any financial
aid awards for the semester. For students with accepted financial aid, no
payment is due on this date. For more information see Tuition and Deadlines
January 25, 2015
Tuition Fee Payment Deadline – For registration from 1/19/15 through 2/18/15
for non financial aid students and students who have not accepted any financial
aid awards for the semester. For students with accepted financial aid, no
payment is due on this date. For more information see Tuition and Deadlines
February 25, 2015
Spring Break – Classes Excused March 8-15, 2015
Course Withdrawal Deadline Session C
April 5, 2015
Complete Session Withdrawal Deadline
As part of a complete session withdrawal a student must withdraw from all
classes in a session. Beginning the first day of classes, undergraduate
students are required to contact their college/school to facilitate the withdrawal
process. For more information click here.
Session C
May 1, 2015
Classes End Session C
May 1, 2015
Study Days Session C
May 2-3, 2015
Final Exams Session C
May 4 - 9, 2015
Final Grades Due Session C
May 4 - 11, 2015

SOC 390 Syllabus (Spring C 2015)

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