DIVISION OF SOCIAL WORK
SWRK110
Introduction to Statistics for Social Workers
Spring 2011
Schedule: Thursday at 6:30pm to 9:20pm
Classroom: Mariposa Hall 1013 (computer lab)
Instructor: Professor Kisun Nam
Office: Mariposa Hall 5029
Phone: 916.278.7069
Email:
Office hour: Thursday 2:00pm to 5:00pm or by appointment
Course Description
This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of the statistics and statistical methods used in social services research. Topics covered include descriptive and inferential statistics, sampling, probability distribution, introduction to empirical research methods, and the relationship of statistics to research methods. Illustrations are drawn from the field of human services. The statistical program called SPSS for Windows and Microsoft Excel 2003/2007 program will be used to assist in the analysis of data. Statistical procedures helpful to both quantitative and qualitative research methods will be covered.
Course Objectives
Through the expected requirements of this course, students will:
1. Develop and improve critical thinking skills in producing, using and interpreting data in social work practice.
2. Understand and perform standard descriptive and inferential statistical operations.
3. Discriminate among the variety of statistics available and choose and apply those statistics most appropriate to the data to be analyzed.
4. Begin to understand the types and varieties of research that are employed in the area of human services and to learn to recognize both sound and unsound research.
5. Begin to understand the nature of empirical research and the role of statistical operations in such research, especially as it relates to research on issues of social and economic justice, multiculturalism, human diversity, ethics, and special populations.
6. Present the results of data analysis in an appropriate way.
7. Articulate a familiarity with basic statistical and research concepts.
8. Become familiar with current technology as it relates primarily to research and statistics and secondarily to practice theory, issues in HBSE and policy, and the field practicum.
Required Text
Weinbach, R.W. & Grinnell, Jr., R.M. (2010). Statistics for Social Workers. (8th Edition) Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.
Textbook is available to purchase at the Hornet Bookstore (916.278.6446).
Course Format
Your active participation in class discussions is expected and essential to how you will be evaluated. Be prepared to answer questions on your readings and class exercises. You are expected to ask questions and to be an active participant in the classroom learning process. The instructor expects and welcomes questions that help the class understand and clarify the topics being discussed and presented. I prefer that you bring your questions, concerns, and other issues to class so that I can clarify them for you instead of keeping quiet and then struggling elsewhere. There will be a mid-term evaluation of the instructor, so that feedback can be incorporated into the last half of the class.
Course Expectations
In order to enhance feelings of safety and to create a positive learning environment, students are expected to:
1. Attend every class, promptly;
2. Read the assigned materials BEFORE the class;
3. Do not ridicule others;
4. Mind one’s own expression of bigotry; rather than attribute a negative characteristic to a social group or to a member of that group, you may begin with, “this is how I have been taught to believe …” or “I hate to admit it but I do have the belief that …”;
5. Behave with a positive attitude;
6. Be committed to growth and self-exploration.
It is impossible to pass the course without active attendance, keeping up with the works, actively participating in class discussions, and being able to apply concepts and findings to research situations. Statistics is not the type of course wherein you can easily understand and catch up if you fall behind. If you are absent for a class, do not expect that I repeat the lesson for you.
Statistics is learned by the experience of actually working out problems, understanding the processes of doing them, and relating the findings to real case situations. Thus, it is important that you read the assigned course materials prior to coming to class.
Attendance Policy
Class attendance and participation is a prerequisite in receiving a passing grade. Students are expected to attend all class on time. Similar to SWRK111 (research methods) class, this class may be one of the hardest courses you face in your undergraduate social work classes. Therefore, missing classes hurt your chance for achieving an “A” grade for the semester.
Each student is allowed one free absence without a good cause (see below). Additional absence(s) without a good cause will receive deductions from the attendance portion (see the table below). More than five absences without a good cause (including one free absence) in the semester will result in the student receiving “F” grade for the semester, regardless of her/his performance in all other required assignments.
Grading for class attendance, after the one free absence without good cause:
1 additional absence / –5% of class attendance portion2 additional absences / –10% of class attendance portion
3 additional absences / –50% of class attendance portion
4 additional absences / –100% of class attendance portion
5 or more absences / automatic F grade for the course
Good cause absence(s) must be notified to the instructor via email or written note no later than a week after it happened. One who failed to notify the instructor for good cause absence(s) as stated will not be excused. One’s health issue, death of a loved one, and natural disasters (e.g. fire or earthquake) are considered by this instructor as good cause. The instructor may require additional documents (e.g. the doctor’s letter) to prove the good cause. All other issues, such as car broke down, alarm clock failed, children’s school, job interview, and so on do not constitute good cause.
Assignments and Grading
Each student’s final grade will result from adding the scores obtained from all the assignments required by the course (shown below).
1. Exams (40 points; 20 points from the midterm exam, and 20 points from the final exam)
There will be three exams for the semester, two midterm exams and one final exam. Each exam will have two components: to measure your mastery of statistical analysis and social science theory; and to measure your ability to calculate various statistics and to interpret or apply their meaning in a research context.
Both midterm and final exams will consist of multiple choice, true-false, and short-answer questions. Midterm exam #1 covers the class contents from Week 1 (Introduction) to Week 5 (Normal distribution), and midterm #2 covers Week 7 (Hypothesis testing) to Week 12 (Chi-Square). Final exam will be comprehensive, covering ALL course contents but with the emphasis on Week 14 (correlation) and Week 15 (regression).
All exams are provided as the online exam through SacCT. You will take those exams at the computer lab (Mariposa 1013). Detailed instructions will be provided before the exams.
Exam grading consists of two equal portions, 20 points (50%) for the midterm exam and 20 points (50%) for the final exam. The midterm exam score will be determined by the higher score out of your two midterm exams.
If for any reason you cannot take the exam on the scheduling date, make sure to arrange to take the exam ahead of time. You will not be allowed to take the exam the day after or to make-up the exam once the test is administered. ALL out of class exam must be arranged through Testing Center in Lassen Hall with a nominal fee. If the exam is scheduled with the Testing Center, it is your responsibility to turn in a copy of the appointment sheet to me at least a week ahead of time.
2. Homework assignments (50 points, or 55 points with extra credit for all correct answers)
There are ten homework assignments over the semester, 5 points per each assignment. Homework must be printed on paper and submitted at the beginning of the class in due dates. No late submissions are accepted, except good cause absences (see attendance policy). Check the due date for each homework assignment in Course Outline below.
Homework assignments are used as learning tools rather than a measure of student mastery their first time attempting a problem. Thus, homework assignment will consist of the review questions regarding the course materials in the previous week.
Below are the grading criteria for each homework submission. Note that students can earn extra 0.5 point if they answer ALL questions correctly in each homework assignment.
Score / Grading criteria5.5 points / Submit on time, and ALL answers are correct.
5 points / Submit on time, and showing reasonable effort to complete (ex. all questions are answered)
4 points / Submit on time, but lack of reasonable effort to complete (ex. some questions are not answered)
0 point / Late or no submission
3. Attendance and Class Participation (10 points)
Your attendance and participation maximize your experience in the class, and together constitute 10 points of your final grade. More than five absences, including one free absence, will result in “F” grade regardless of the performance in all other required assignments. For example, if you miss four classes without good cause, you will earn 5 points out of attendance and class participation portion (one free absence and three additional absences, 50% deduction). Consult Attendance Policy (above) for details.
As a result, your final grade is delineated as follows:
Assignments / Points assigned / Due datesExams / 40 / Midterm #1: Mar. 11
Midterm #2: Apr. 22
Final: May 18
Homework assignment / 50/55 / See the course outline
Attendance / 10 / Every class
Total / 100 points
Grading scale is shown below. Keep in mind that your final grade will be determined by the total score you would earn through all the required assignments by the class. Social Work major students should earn “C” or better, or 70 points or higher, to receive a passing grade.
Final Grade / Total Score / Final Grade / Total ScoreA / 92 – 100 points / C− / 68 – 69 points
A− / 89 – 91 points / D+ / 64 – 67 points
B+ / 85 – 88 points / D / 60 – 63 points
B / 81 – 84 points / D− / 58 – 59 points
B− / 78 – 80 points / F / Below 58 points
C+ / 74 – 77 points
C / 70 – 73 points
Accommodation
The university is committed to providing every reasonable academic accommodation to students with disabilities. The Office of Service to Students with Disabilities (SSWD) provides university academic support services and specialized assistance to students with disabilities. Individuals who need such accommodation must notify the instructor to arrange said accommodation. This instructor is committed in every effort to accommodate all special needs. Disabilities that may require special accommodations are encouraged to contact the Office of Service to Students with Disabilities in Lassen Hall 1008 (916.278.6955, http://www.csus.edu/sswd/sswd.html).
Course Outline
Jan. 27 / · Review of syllabus
· Why study statistics?
· Course overview
· Introduction of Excel for statistics (Data Analysis ToolPak)
Week 2 / Review of key research methodology concepts / Chapter 1
Feb. 3 / · Research process
· Level of measurement
· Independent and dependent variable
· Hypothesis
Week 3 / Frequency distributions / Chapter 2
Feb. 10 / · Types of frequency distribution
· Graphs and charts / HW#1: Research process
Week 4 / Measures of central tendency and dispersion / Chapter 3
Feb. 17 / · Types of central tendency
· Types of dispersion measures / HW#2: Frequency distributions
Week 5 / Normal distribution / Chapter 4
Feb. 24 / · Shape of distribution
· Characteristics of normal distribution
· Other distributions
· z-score: calculation and usage / HW#3: Central tendency and dispersion
Week 6 / Midterm exam #1
Mar. 3 / · Exam will begin at 6:30pm on SacCT (online exam).
· Review of the exam will begin at 7:45pm. / HW#4: Normal distribution
Week 7 / Hypothesis testing / Chapter 5
Mar. 10 / · Chance (sampling error) and probability
· Statistical significance
· Testing null hypothesis
Week 8 / Sampling distribution, Rejection region, and Statistical test selection / Chapter 6
Mar. 17 / · Theoretical sampling distribution of the means
· Parameter estimation
· Selecting a statistical test / HW #5: Hypothesis testing
Week 9 / Spring Break
Mar. 24 / NO class
Week 10 / Cesar Chavez Day
Mar. 31 / NO class / HW #6: Sampling distribution, Rejection region, and Statistical test selection
Week 11 / The t-test and Analysis of Variance / Chapter 7
Apr. 7 / · Types of t-test
· Non-parametric alternatives
· ANOVA as general form of t-test
· Post hoc test
Week 12 / Cross-tabulation and Chi-square / Chapter 8
Apr. 14 / · Cross-tabulation table
· Calculating Chi-square / HW#7: T-test and ANOVA
Week 13 / Midterm exam #2
Apr. 21 / · Exam will begin at 6:30pm on SacCT (online exam).
· Review of the exam will begin at 7:45pm. / HW#8: Chi-Square
Week 14 / Correlation / Chapter 9
Apr. 28 / · Scatterplots and correlation
· Computing parametric and nonparametric correlation coefficients
· Use and interpretation of correlation coefficients
· Cautions about correlation
Week 15 / Regression / Chapter 10
May 5 / · Regression equation
· Simple regression / HW#9: Correlation
Week 16 / Putting it altogether / Chapter 11
May 12 / · Review of course contents
· Review of final exam / HW #10: Regression
Final Week / Final exam
May 17 (Tuesday), 5:15pm to 7:15pm, at Mariposa Hall 1013 (Computer lab)
Note: Course schedule is subject to change.
Additional Course Information
1. PowerPoint slides and SacCT
Most of the class lectures will be accompanied by PowerPoint slides presentation. PowerPoint slides, as well as other class information, will be posted in SacCT. Be sure to check SacCT for any updated information at least once a day and/or before coming to class.