Tusculum College Professional Studies ♦ Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management

COURSE SYLLABUS: ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF INFORMATION

SOSC-215 FOR BSOM-532 IN MORRISTOWN

This is an undergraduate level course, offered for 4 semester hours. Classes will meet Thursday evenings 6-10 p.m. at the Morristown Center, Room 8 on Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5 and 12, 2009.

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Work Address: / Dr. Melanie G. Narkawicz
Tusculum College
P.O. Box 5004
Greeneville, TN 37743
Tel: 423-636-7330 / 800-729-0256 (ext.5606)
e-mail: / Home Address: / Dr. Melanie G. Narkawicz
e-mail:

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The study of sampling and data collection methods, including understanding and applying statistical tools. Focus is on interpretation and presentation of statistical findings. (4 credit hours; Competency: Critical Analysis) Video tapes, class exercises, and out-of-class assignments will be utilized to assist students in the development of an increased understanding of data analysis.

TEXTBOOKS

American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological

Association, (5th. ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Patten, M. (2007). Understanding research methods: An overview of the essentials, 6th ed.

Glendale, CA: Pyrczak.

Salkind, N. J. (2008). Statistics for people who (think they) hate statistics, 3nd ed. Los Angeles,

CA: Sage.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS (need access to one version per Learning Team)

SPSS Inc. (Ed.) (2000). SPSS (11.0 or higher) for Windows student version [Computer software].

Engelwood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. [used for homework assignments/exam]

COURSE GOALS

This course will

·  Teach students to understand and apply statistical tools and methods to analyze data.

·  Show students how to interpret statistical findings as presented in the literature and business/management databases.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

·  Describe the various sampling methods and identify the advantages of each.

·  Describe different data collection methods and the advantages/problems associated with each.

·  Define and appropriately use common terms, symbols, and concepts used in data analysis.

·  Describe the levels of measurement (measurement scales) and select appropriate statistical tools for each.

·  Distinguish between descriptive and inferential statistics.

·  Calculate, interpret, and apply frequencies and percentages.

·  Calculate, interpret, and apply the measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode).

·  Calculate, interpret, and apply the measures of dispersion (range, variance, standard deviation).


Page 2

·  Describe and apply normal curve characteristics.

·  Describe and apply the concepts concerning correlation and linear regression.

·  Develop and interpret frequency tables, bar charts, cross-tabulations and scatter-plots.

FOUNDATIONAL COMPETENCY addressed in this course:

Critical Analysis– The criteria for this competency is that the student demonstrates solid understanding of the knowledge base appropriate to the analysis in question; prepares a more sophisticated analysis containing one or more of the following to make a sound, logical argument: inductive reasoning, deductive reasoning, comparison, cause and effect, measure against established criteria, recognition and explanation of the fallacy in another’s reasoning process; demonstrates the ability to judge the quality, credibility, worth, and practicality of ideas presented based on command of the knowledge base and/or analytical process, as listed above; recognizes that evaluation includes judgment of the argument itself as well as the assumption (often unstated) on which it is based. Assessment of this competency is based on the final exam as well as the completed learning team project developed by the students. Students must collect data on a research topic, analyze that data and present and defend conclusions based on the data. The criteria for critical analysis must be mastered in order for students to successfully complete data analysis.

COURSE SCHEDULE

WEEK TOPIC ASSIGNMENT

1 / Part I (Yippee! I'm in Statistics); Part II (Sigma Freud and Descriptive Statistics); Data collection; levels of data; Univariate descriptive statistics; Videos 3,4,6 / Read Salkind text Chapters 1-4,19, 20;
Homework Exercise #1 due; Start data collection after surveys approved (review Salkind Ch. 19-20)
2 / Part II (Sigma Freud and Descriptive Statistics); Bivariate measures – Crosstabulation and Correlation/Regression; Videos 11, 13 / Read Salkind text Chapters 5, 15;
Homework Exercise #2 due
3 / Part III (Taking Chances for Fun and Profit); Part IV (Significantly Different: Using Inferential Statistics); Samples/populations/normal curves and hypothesis testing; Videos 7, 21 / Read Salkind text Chapters 7, 8, 9; Homework Exercise #3 due;
Finish data collection, start write-up of research report (see handout)
4 / Part IV (Significantly Different: Using Inferential Statistics); Video on presentations; Practice test and review / Review Salkind Ch. 1-9, 15;
Homework Ex. #4 due; First draft of learning team report is due
5 / Statistics for People Who Think They Hate Statistics / Final Examination
6 / Review final exams;
Final reports and presentations / Final Learning team Report Due;
Oral Presentations Due

LEARNING TEAM WORK (Project grades assigned proportional to member ratings)

Week 1 – Exercise #1 (develop, turn in survey questions - at least 5, using three levels of data) / Week 4 – Exercise #4 (normal curves, inferential tests); report draft due
Week 2 – Exercise #2 (univariate descriptives) / Week 5 – Study guide review
Week 3 – Exercise #3 (bivariate descriptives) / Week 6 – Reports due; oral presentations due

EVALUATION

  1. You will be expected to complete 4 homework exercises. The first exercise will involve development by the group of a survey to use in data collection for the group project and will be graded as part of the group project. The other three exercises will consist of statistical problems; on these three exercises students will work as a group, but each student will be graded individually based on the homework sheet turned in.


Page 3

  1. You will be expected to complete a learning team research report with analysis of data.
  2. You will be expected to complete a learning team presentation of research report findings.
  3. You will be expected to individually complete a final examination. The exam will consist primarily of problems and interpretation of statistical information.

ASSIGNMENT OF GRADES

The following scale will be utilized in determining final grades in the course.

Activity Quantity Points Each Total Points

Four Homework Exercises* (4) 10 40

Learning team Report (1) 20 20

Learning team Oral Presentation (1) 10 10

Individual Examination (1) 30 30

TOTAL 7 n/a 100**

* NO LATE HOMEWORK IS ACCEPTED ON HOMEWORK EXERCISES 2, 3, AND 4

** Any Assignment turned in late will AUTOMATICALLY receive a 10% reduction in the grade plus missing a class or part of a class results in 5 points subtracted from your total points;

A 2-3 page paper summarizing the material covered during the missed class can be submitted for grading with up to 5 points awarded for it (writing style and content will be assessed).

Final grades will be assigned as follows:

Grade Points Earned / Grade Points Earned
A 93-100
A- 90-92
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
/ C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
D+ 67-69
D 63-66
F Absence of 1/3 of classes or <63

ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

Plagiarism is a violation of the Ethics of Social Responsibility competency. As stated in the Graduate and Professional Studies Student Handbook and Research Guide, and in the Tusculum College Catalog, plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty. It consists of knowingly presenting in writing or in speech the intellectual or creative work of others as if it were one’s own. This includes, but is not limited to:

1.  Failing to identify direct or word-for-word quotations by use of appropriate symbols and reference to the source

2.  Restating in your own words the work (ideas, conclusions, words) of another without reference to the source

3.  Presenting as your own the creative work (for instance, music or photographs) of another without proper acknowledgement.

See the Graduate and Professional Studies Student Handbook and Research Guide and the Tusculum College Catalog for other forms of academic dishonesty and the sanctions for dishonest performance.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES/TUSCULUM COLLEGE LEARNING CENTER

Tusculum provides individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to participate in educational programs, activities, and services. Students with disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in class activities or meet course requirements should contact one of the following:

Greeneville: Dr. Lisa Johnson at 423-636-7300 or 1-800-729-0256 or or in

Knoxville: Mr. Ryan Otto at 865-693-1177 or 1-800-0116 or

Students may arrange for additional academic assistance through the Learning Center in Greeneville (Annie Hogan Byrd Hall, Room 112, Tusculum College Box 5025, Greeneville, TN 37743—please contact Dr. Lisa Johnson as indicated above). Alternately in Knoxville please contact the Adult Learning Development Center (1305 Centerpoint Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37932—please contact Mr. Ryan Otto as indicated above).

Cell Phones Please try to leave your cell phone ringer turned off or to vibrate during class; if you must answer a call, please step outside before doing so!