San José State University

Department of Psychology
Statistics 095, Elementary Statistics, 30389, Spring, 2020
Course and Contact Information
Instructor(s): Rita Hitching

Office Location: DMH 230

Telephone: 650-283-4871

Email: rita.hitching@sjsu.edu

Office Hours: Wednesday 4 to 6pm, or by appointment.

Instructor will be monitoring Canvas for online meetings.
In-person meetings can be scheduled if students need additional support.

Class Days/Time: Wednesday 6 and 8:45pm

Classroom: (Building and room number, or your online course web address)

Prerequisites: Satisfaction of the Entry Level Math Test (ELM)

GE/SJSU Studies Category: Area B4 (Mathematical Concepts)
Intended for Psychology majors and minors as well as for programs in Behavioral
Science, Child Development, Education, Health Science, Nursing, Nutritional
Science, Social Science, and Social Work.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Hypothesis testing and predictive techniques to facilitate decision-making; organization and classification of data,
descriptive and inferential statistics, central tendency, variability, probability and sampling distributions, graphic
representation, correlation and regression, chi-square, t-tests, and analysis of variance. Computer use in analysis
and interpretation. GE Area: B4 Prerequisite: Math Enrollment Category M-I or M-II, or completion of a GE
Area B4 course with a grade of C- or better.

Notes: Intended for Psychology majors and minors as well as for programs in Behavioral Science, Child
Development, Education, Health Science, Nursing, Nutritional Science, Social Science, and Social Work.

The Stat95 course fulfills a General Education requirement for the B4 (Mathematical Concepts). The major goal
of GE is to enable you to use numerical and graphical data in personal and professional judgments and in coping
with public issues. The major purpose of this course is to provide you with a solid foundation in elementary
statistics, by introducing you to the various types of statistics used in psychology and other social sciences. In this
course, you will learn the “what, when, and how” of statistics. That is, you will learn what statistics are available,
when to use specific statistics, and how to interpret results. Measured assessments of these learning objectives
will include in class and homework problem sets, written work, and specific exam items. The 500-word writing
requirement for this class is satisfied through exam questions.

Stat95, 30389, Spring 2020

 COURSE FORMAT
Faculty Web Page and MYSJSU Messaging
The Stat095 course is taught weekly in person. The Canvas site is an online resource supplement for this course.
The site will be updated regularly throughout the semester. This site contains:
• Syllabus and tentative course schedule
• Course announcements
• Homework assignments
• Power point slides
• Course grades
You are responsible for regularly checking with the messaging system through MySJSU and/or for checking your
email and Canvas for announcements.

PROGRAM GOALS
Course Goals: Students that successfully complete the STAT95 course, through lectures, homework
assignments, and exams. Students will be able to meet the following GE/SJSU mandated Learning Outcomes
(GELOs) and Program Outcomes:

Learning Outcomes
GELO1 Use statistical methods to solve quantitative problems, including those presented in verbal
form.
GELO2 Demonstrate the ability to use mathematics and statistics to solve real-life problems.
GELO3 Make conclusions based on numerical and graphical data.
GELO4 Basic mathematical techniques for solving quantitative problems and elementary numerical
calculations.
GELO5 Organization, classification, and representation of quantitative data in various forms (e.g.,
measures of central tendency, spread, tables, and graphs,)
GELO6 Application of mathematics to daily life.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs): These outcomes refer to the broad goals of the SJSU Psychology
Major program. The SJSU Psychology Major is designed to address 5 broad PLOs. These PLOs are outcomes
students should be able to demonstrate after having successfully completed the Psychology Major.

Learning Outcomes
PLO1 Knowledge Base of Psychology – Students will be able to identify, describe, and
communicate the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical
trends in psychology.
PLO2 Research Methods in Psychology – Students will be able to design, implement, and
communicate basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis,
and interpretations.
PLO3 Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology – Students will be able to use critical and creative
thinking, skeptical inquiry, and a scientific approach to address issues related to behavior
and mental processes.
PLO4 Application of Psychology – Students will be able to apply psychological principles to
individual, interpersonal, group, and societal issues.
PLO5 Values in Psychology – Students will value empirical evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act
ethically, and recognize their role and responsibility as a member of society.

Stat95, 30389, Spring 2020

Additional GE/SJSU Content Requirements
• Completing Area B4 with a grade of C or better (C‐not accepted) is a graduation requirement.
• Diversity. Issues of diversity shall be incorporated in an appropriate manner.
• Writing. The minimum writing requirement is 500 words in a language and style appropriate to
quantitative analysis, which will be met by a project described later in the syllabus. Writing shall be
assessed for grammar, clarity, conciseness and coherence.

READING & TEXTS

Textbook: Statistics, 4th Edition by David Freedman, Robert Pisani, Roger Purves ISBN-13: 978-0393929720
or ISBN-10: 0393929728.
Copies of these texts are available for purchase on Amazon.

Online Book Options:

• https://web.stanford.edu/~hastie/ElemStatLearn/printings/ESLII_print12.pdf
• https://d3bxy9euw4e147.cloudfront.net/oscms-prodcms/media/documents/IntroductoryStatistics-LR.pdf
• http://onlinestatbook.com/Online_Statistics_Education.pdf

Additional Readings
Articles and relevant online that supplement the textbook will be assigned throughout the semester. They will
be assigned with plenty of time for you to complete the readings before the appropriate class.

TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT

A good calculator will help you a great deal in this class. No specific model is needed, but I recommend one with
4-functions that gives you the square root of a number. A statistical calculator saves time as it will automatically
compute the mean, standard deviation, correlation, slope, and intercept. You will need your calculator at every
class. You will also need four SCANTRON FORM NO.882-E sheets for examinations.
Notebook paper, pencils. Do computations for assignments “long hand” (on paper) so that you can be sure you
have completed each step and can check your work should you get the incorrect answer. Expect to make
mistakes, so use a pencil when working through problems.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Course Requirements and Assignments: Success in this course is based on the expectation that students will
spend, for each unit of credit, a minimum of 45 hours over the length of the course (normally three hours per
unit per week) for instruction, preparation/studying, or course related activities, including but not limited to
internships, labs, and clinical practica. Other course structures will have equivalent workload expectations as
described in the syllabus. See additional information:
• University Syllabus Policy S16-9 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S16-9.pdf.
• Office of Undergraduate Education’s Syllabus Information web page at
http://www.sjsu.edu/gup/syllabusinfo/

Stat95, 30389, Spring 2020

Homework assignments: Assignments are set at the end of each class, and are due at and are due at the beginning
of class but NOT graded. Homework assignments are designed to provide practice and an opportunity to
understand the material better. Join or form a study group but complete work individually.

Computer Assignments on SPSS Computer Assignments: An aim of STAT95 is for students to become
familiar with SPSS, a statistical software typically used in the social sciences. A total of 4 SPSS assignments you
will be assigned and collected but NOT graded. SPSS assignments are located in DMH 350 (statistics lab).

Missed class: Attendance is essential to do well in class. No attendance is taken. Check with colleagues for
notes or assignments if you miss a class. I don’t email class notes, provide private classes or allow my notes to
be copied. Attend class and take notes.

Medical excuse: All medical excuses must be provided in writing. Please confirm with me any medical excuses
and check in with me weekly regarding class notes and assignments.

Email Guidelines: Please correspond in a professional manner: succinct, specific, and use grammar / spell
checked.

Classroom electronic device policy: Please adhere a to the following recommendations:

1. Turn off and do not use laptops or any electronic devices in class, including phones (except
calculators).
2. Do not take pictures of me in or after class, the screen / board in or after class or anything
in or after class or make any audio of video recording in class.

Classroom Guidance: Please adhere a to the following recommendations:

1. Attend every class with a positive attitude and willingness to learn.
2. Be respectful to yourself, your peers, and me.
3. Be on time – if late enter discreetly and seat at back of classroom.
4. Stay until the end of class (if you must leave early sit near the door and leave discreetly).
5. Unless you have an emergency there are no in and out privileges.
6. Be prepared and have necessary materials with you.
7. Do assigned homework and readings on time.
8. Refrain from interrupting, eating, drinking (water is fine) or chewing gum
9. Raise your hand if you wish to ask a question or make a comment.
10. Do talk/joke and carry on conversations with your peers before or during class.
11. Only read or study class related material

University Policies
Per University Policy S16-9 (http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S16-9.pdf), relevant university policy concerning
all courses, such as student responsibilities, academic integrity, accommodations, dropping and adding, consent
for recording of class, etc. and available student services (e.g. learning assistance, counseling, and other
resources) are listed on Syllabus Information web page (http://www.sjsu.edu/gup/syllabusinfo), which is hosted
by the Office of Undergraduate Education. Make sure to visit this page to review and be aware of these
university policies and resources.

Stat95, 30389, Spring 2020

 FINAL EXAMINATION
The course will culminate in a final examination, which will occur in May 13 2020. More details can be found:
in University policy S17-1 (http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S17-1.pdf).

Grading Information
The final grade will be based on the following grading information:

1. Exams total 300 points:

a. Total 3 exams each 100-point exams.
b. Each unit has 1 exam – class total 3 units.
c. Exam questions include only material covered in that unit.
d. Each exam has 40 questions (2.5 points each (40 x 2.5 = 100 points).
e. Exams have 2 parts.
i. Part 1 open note/book/calculator exam consisting of 20 questions.
ii. Part 2 is closed notes and consists of 20 true/false, matching, and fill in the blank type
questions.
f. Final exam will be at the end of the semesters

Overall Course Grade: The course grade for this class is out of a maximum 300 points. With EXAM 1 [100
points], EXAM 2 [100] and EXAM 3 [100]. Your final grade is determined by the total of all the points you have
received. There are no adjustments. Example score of 70 points gives you a score of 70% or a C-.

Passing Grade, Score, & Percentage Score: Passing grade is a C. I do NOT assign extra credit to raise grades.

Grade Points Percentage

A plus 294 to 300 98 to 100%

A 279 to 291 93 to 97%

A minus 270 to 276 90 to 92%

B plus 258 to 267 86 to 89 %

B 249 to 255 83 to 85%

B minus 240 to 246 80 to 82%

C plus 228 to 237 76 to 79%

C 219 to 225 73 to 75%

C minus 210 to 216 70 to 72%

D plus 198 to 207 66 to 69%

D 189 to 195 63 to 65%

D minus 180 to 186 60 to 62%

F 179 and under Under 60%

Missed Exam: Make every effort to attend exams. There are no make-up exams unless under extreme
circumstances. The reason is exceptional, unforeseen, and unavoidable. Examples of exceptional circumstances
are (i) health emergencies, religious obligations, death in the family, and military services. Work scheduling is
not a sufficient reason for a make-up (ii) You can provide written documentation, (iii) You notify me immediately

Stat95, 30389, Spring 2020

after you become aware of the circumstances requiring a make-up exam (either prior to the exam or within 24
hours of the scheduled exam) (iv)When permission is granted, make-up exams must be completed within 6 days
for the originally scheduled test date at my discretion.

More guidelines on grading information and class attendance can be found from the following university
policies:
• University Syllabus Policy S16-9 (http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S16-9.pdf)
• University Attendance and Participation Policy F15-12 (http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/F15-12.pdf)
• University Grading System Policy F18-5 (http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/F18-5.pdf

COURSE OUTLINE EXAMINATION

Please see below the draft course outline:

Week/Lesson Date Topics Learning Outcomes

Wednesdays
1 Jan 22 Introduction to Course / Introduction to Statistics Course plan and requirements
& Scientific Studies
2 Jan 29 Frequency Distributions & Visualizing Data Descriptive data and visuals
Tables / Graphs / Averages
3 Feb 5 Central Tendency Variability Distributions Data applications and constraints
Standard Scores
4 Feb 12 Exam 1 Exam

5 Feb 19 Standardized Scores (z-scores) Distributions

6 Feb 26 Sampling Distribution of the Mean Sampling

7 March 4 Estimation (Confidence Intervals) Sampling & Estimation

8 March 11 Hypothesis Testing / Direction /Outcomes Hypothesis setting and testing

9 March 18 Exam 2 Exam 2

10 March 25 Using t Tests to Compare Means 1 t-test

11 March 11 Using t Tests to Compare Means 2 t-tests

12 April 1 One-way ANOVA 1 ANOVA

13 April 8 One-way ANOVA 2 ANOVA

14 April 15 Correlation Correlation

15 April 22 Regression Regression

16 April 29 Two factor analysis of variance Variance and estimation 2

17 May 6 Review Exam preparation

Week 18 May 13 Exam 3 Exam

Final Exam

This is a tentative timeline. The schedule is subject to change with fair notice. Students will be notified of
schedule changes via email and/or Canvas.
Final Exam: Wednesday, May 13 from 19:45-22:00.

Stat95, 30389, Spring 2020