This course provides students with an overview of the methods of social research and the application of descriptive statistics in the social sciences. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to better understand and evaluate research results and statistical presentation of data cited in texts and articles in a wide variety of the social sciences. The background provided in this course should enable students to conduct some basic research, and proceed to more advanced courses in statistics and methodology.
Credits: 3
Hours: 45 (Lecture Hours: 45)
Total Weeks: 15
Prerequisites:
MATH 11, or SOSC 220 or PHIL 110 or 3 credits in ECON, or permission.
Non-Course Prerequisites:
None
Co-requisites:
None
Course Content:
- Why Study Statistics
- Research and Measurement
- Frequency Tables and Graphs
- Measures of Central Tendency
- Measures of Variability
- Measures of Relative Standing
- The Normal Distribution
- Measures of Linear Correlation
- Regression and Prediction
- Probability and the Binomial Distribution
- Sampling Distributions
- Hypothesis Testing
- Deciding Which Statistic to Use
Learning Outcomes:
After completing SOSC 207 students will be able to better understand and evaluate research results and statistical presentation of data cited in texts and articles in a wide variety of the social sciences. Specifically, they will be able to:
- Discuss the major statistical concepts used in the behavioural sciences, including measures of central tendency, correlation, measures of dispersion and probability.
- Read, understand, and critically evaluate statistical information typically found in research.
- Select and employ the appropriate statistical techniques to answer a variety of research questions.
Grading System: Letters
Passing Grade: D (50%)
Textbooks:
Textbooks are subject to change. Please contact the bookstore at your local campus for current book lists.