Psych 217: Psychological Probability and Statistics (Autumn 2000)
Instructor: Laura M. Little, Ph.D.
CHL 116 616-2340 Hours: Tue 1-2, Wed 3-4Graduate TAs:
Bryan Cochran (cochranb@u.washington.edu) SAMLab hours:
Julie Sayed (jsayed@u.washington.edu) SAMLab hours: Thursday 9-11
Peer tutors:
Linda Kranitz (lkranitz@u.washington.edu) SAMLab hours:
Lisa Hagen (lhagen@u.washington.edu) SAMLab hours:
Adam Greenberg
Text:
Kirk, R. L. Statistics: An Introduction (4th ed.)Website for course materials: http://courses.washington.edu/stat217
Listserve address: psych217@u.washington.edu
Supplementary materials: Handouts and supplementary materials will often be distributed during class. You are responsible for obtaining copies of these materials if you miss class the day they are distributed.
Prerequisites: You must have taken and completed Psych 209 with a 2.0 GPA or higher. You also must have completed Math 112, 124 or 144.
Course objectives: Your goals in taking this course should be (1) to learn the basic methods of describing data in psychological research, (2) to learn the principles of interpreting data in psychological research, (3) to become acquainted with the fundamental issues surrounding statistical methodology, (4) to prepare yourself to conduct and interpret the results of your own research, (5) to enrich your understanding of psychology through an appreciation of the tools researchers use to understand behavior, and (6) to gain exposure to computer software used in data analysis (SPSS, Excel).
Attendance at all lectures and quiz sections is required. You are and will be responsible for all announcements made during class meetings regarding exam scheduling and homework due dates.
Exams: There will be four exams. Each exam will count 20% of your grade. All exams will be open notes and open book. The fourth exam will be given during the final exam period.
Homework: There will be near-weekly homework assignments which cumulatively will count toward 20% of your final grade. Some of these assignments will be done using the computer software you will be learning in Psych 217. You will be allowed to drop your lowest homework grade.
Grading policies: Homework will not be accepted late unless cleared by your TA at least one day before it is due. Homework is due at the beginning of class on the due date. There are no exceptions to this policy.
Similarly, no makeup exams will be given unless (1) notice is given to the instructor, in person, prior to the regularly scheduled exam time, or (2) extenuating circumstances prevail for which documentation is available, in the form of an airline ticket receipt (in the case of family emergencies) or a doctor's casenote (not an appointment card) for serious illness/injury. This documentation must be presented to the instructor. All makeup exams must be taken within one week of the missed exam. There are no exceptions to this policy.