PSY K310 Section 20023 Statistical Techniques

Dr. M. Rickert

Data Analysis and Statistical Inference

Prerequisite: No previous study of statistics is assumed but adequate
mathematical background (i.e., basic algebra and some calculus) is
essential.

The main focus of this course is on quantitative approaches to
learning from data. We begin with a review of [1] methods for
organizing and graphing simple data structures, and [2] measures that
summarize the sample information by describing the location,
dispersion, and shape of the data on the measurement axis.
Applications of the (standard) normal distribution will be presented.
We’ll also examine how to estimate the degree of association between
two variables using a model for prediction based on least-squares
regression and correlation. Our discussion of statistical inference
begins with a review of elementary probability, sampling, and sampling
distribution theory. The Central Limit Theorem is illustrated
empirically with computer simulations. The three main inferential
procedures, i.e., point estimation, confidence interval estimation,
and hypothesis testing, will be applied to a number of different
population parameters. In general, we’ll take the frequentist approach
to statistics; there will be a concise overview of Bayesian inference
for the mean and for the difference between means. Other topics
include estimation of effect size, power analysis, analysis of
variance (both one- and two-way classification), multiple linear
regression and correlation, and non-parametric techniques such as
chi-square tests for frequencies.

Format:		Two lectures per week (no lab). Attendance is strongly
encouraged.

Tests:	Three in-class examinations and final exam.

Assignments:  Four (4).

Text: 	Hinkle, D.E., Wiersma, W., and Jurs, S.G. (2003) Applied
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (5th edition). Boston: Houghton
Mifflin.

Computer packages:  TBA but some computer exercises will require use
of SPSS, Excel, and Matlab.

Instructor(s):  Regular office hours and other times by appointment.