POS401:  Political Statistics

Spring Semester 2005

Course Outline

 

Professor Marilyn Dantico, Ph.D.                                  Ms. Wei Liu, Graduate Assistant

Office:  Coor 6764                                                       Office: Coor 6767

Phone: 480-965-1316                                                  e-mail: Wei.Liu5@asu.edu

e-mail: mdantico@asu.edu

 

Overview:  This course is an experiment in that it will introduce you to statistics and offer you the opportunity to conduct a data analysis project

 

As you know, statistics are an important tool in social research.  They help us reduce and organize data, thereby maximizing the information we are able to glean from data. Data permit us to describe, explain and predict.  Statistics do not replace creative thinking; nor do they create knowledge.  They do not relieve us of the demand to replicate research.  They do, however, help us test our explanations against that offered by nature (a.k.a. chance).

 

Statistics help test hypotheses; they cannot tell us which hypotheses are important.  That job falls to theory.

 

The data manipulation involved in statistical analysis requires an understanding of measurement, and some fidelity to the assumptions that underlie the models that we use. 

 

This course provides information on the appropriate uses of statistics.  It will also provide you with experience in interpreting statistics, and in using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) on a microcomputer.  You will be able to demonstrate mastery of course material through homework exercises, exams and computer assignments.

 

Course grades will be based on (a) exams and (b) homework/computer/data assignments.  Exams contribute 50% to your final grade; homework/computer/data assignments 50% to your final grade.  Homework assignments are accepted during class on the day they are due.  Late assignments are not accepted. Assignments stuck under doors or in mailboxes are not accepted.

 

Text:  Essentials of Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences

            By Frederick Gravetter and Larry Wallnau

 

To facilitate communication and enhance preparedness, we will use ASU’s Blackboard system.  You should know your ASU-rite identification, and plan to access Blackboard on a regular basis.

 

 

 

 

 

Class Schedule

 

Section I:  January 19th – February 14th

 

Electric clocks reveal to you

Precisely when your fuses blew.

Leonard Schiff

 

TOPICS:  WHY?  Logic of the course; charts, graphs and displays; middles and spread.

READING:  Chapters 1 - 4.

REVIEW SESSIONS: January 28th, February 11th

HOMEWORK DUE:  January 31st

EXAM:  February 14th

 

Section II:  February 16th – March 11th

Reason is also choice.

                                                                        John Milton

 

 

TOPICS:  How did that happen?  Chance, and prediction.

READING:  Chapters 6 - 8

REVIEW SESSIONS:  February 25th, March 9th

HOMEWORK DUE: February 28th

EXAM:         March 11th

 

Section III:  March 21st – April 15th

Fortune brings in some boats that are not steered.

                                                                        William Shakespeare, ‘Cymbeline’

 

TOPICS:  Location, location, location. Standardization, and basic association.

READING:  Chapters 5 and 12

REVIEW SESSIONS:  April 1st, April 15th

HOMEWORK DUE: April 4th

EXAM:         April 18th

 

 

Section IV:  April 18th – May 1st.

As we acquire more knowledge, thing do not become more comprehensible,

But more mysterious.

    Albert Schweitzer

 

TOPICS:   Where is it?  Where should it be?  More association

READING:  Chapters 13 and 15.

REVIEW SESSION:  April 29th

HOMEWORK DUE: May 1st