Type of Credit: Elective
Credit(s)
Number of Students
This course introduces students to the basic tools of statistics and shows how these tools are used in the analysis of social science data. A fundamental understanding of statistics is a critical foundation for social science research in many fields. The course covers descriptive statistics, inference from samples, hypothesis testing, and the basics of regression analysis.
能力項目說明
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to complete the following tasks:
1. Explain basic concepts of social statistics (e.g., population vs. sample, sampling distribution).
2. Summarize numeric data by computing descriptive statistics (e.g., mean, variance) and by creating tables and graphs. For each procedure, you will learn a hand calculation method (using calculators) and a computer method (using software such as Stata or R).
3. Compute various inferential statistics (e.g., t-score) using both hand calculation and computer methods.
4. Test hypotheses applying probability theory.
5. Explain the differences among various statistical techniques and identify an appropriate technique for a given set of variables and research questions.
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週次Week |
課程主題Course Theme |
課程內容與指定閱讀Content and Reading Assignment |
教學活動與作業Activity and Homework |
學習投入時數Estimated time devoted to coursework per week |
|
|
課堂講授Lecture Hours |
課程前後Preparation Time |
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|
1 |
Introduction |
Introduction |
TBA |
3.0 |
4.5 |
|
2 |
Statistics and Social Research |
Ch. 1 |
TBA |
3.0 |
4.5 |
|
3 |
Mid-Autumn Festival |
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
Descriptive Statistics I |
Ch. 2 |
TBA |
3.0 |
4.5 |
|
5 |
Descriptive Statistics II |
Ch. 3 |
TBA |
3.0 |
4.5 |
|
6 |
Probability Distribution I |
Ch. 4 |
TBA |
3.0 |
4.5 |
|
7 |
Probability Distribution II |
Ch. 4 |
TBA |
3.0 |
4.5 |
|
8 |
1st quiz and Review |
Ch. 5 |
Quiz |
3.0 |
4.5 |
|
9 |
Estimation |
Ch. 6 |
TBA |
3.0 |
4.5 |
|
10 |
Statistical Inference I |
Ch. 6 |
TBA |
3.0 |
4.5 |
|
11 |
Statistical Inference II |
Ch. 7 |
TBA |
3.0 |
4.5 |
|
12 |
2nd quiz and Review |
Ch. 7 |
TBA |
3.0 |
4.5 |
|
13 |
Comparison of Two Groups |
Ch. 8 |
TBA |
3.0 |
4.5 |
|
14 |
Analyzing Association between Categorical Variables I |
Ch. 8 |
TBA |
3.0 |
4.5 |
|
15 |
Analyzing Association between Categorical Variables II |
Ch. 12 |
TBA |
3.0 |
4.5 |
|
16 |
Comparing Groups: ANOVA I |
Ch. 12 |
TBA |
3.0 |
4.5 |
|
17 |
Linear Regression and Correlation |
Ch. 10 |
TBA |
3.0 |
4.5 |
|
18 |
Final Exam |
Review |
Final exam |
3.0 |
4.5 |
Course Requirements
Attendance:
Class attendance is required. Unlike some other sociology courses, statistics requires you to gradually but constantly build your knowledge and skills. It is very difficult to catch up once you get behind. You are also expected to contribute to the class by asking questions, participating in class discussions, and working with each other for in-class exercises. Therefore, your attendance is essential for making these contributions.
Reading Assignments:
You are expected to read the assigned chapters before you come to each session. In order to successfully complete reading assignments, you need to understand what is in each chapter. In addition to highlighting the text and taking notes, I suggest you write down any specific questions.
You may find some chapters difficult to follow. Don’t worry if this happens. It is important to finish reading the assigned chapter before each session to get a general idea about the chapter and go back to it after class to make sure that you understand the materials better.
Problem Solving Assignments:
Learning by doing is very important for your understanding of statistics. There will be exercise questions given to you at the end of most sessions. You will have at least a week to complete each assignment. If you start working on your assignments early, you will have a chance to ask questions in the next class session before submitting your assignments.
I will collect assignments at the beginning of the scheduled class sessions. If you turn in your assignments late (anytime after the class session starts and before 4:00 pm on the next day), you will lose points. Where to submit late assignments: To be arranged by the TA.
Honor Code:
Please help each other, by all means, to exchange notes for missed class sessions, study for exams, etc. The assignments that you turn in should be your own work, however. Any form of violation will result in a "zero" for that particular assignment or an "F" for the course, at my discretion.
Grading:
Problem Solving Assignments: 50%
Tests (3 tests including final): 45%
Attendance: 5%
Agresti, Alan, 2018. Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences (Fifth Edition). Harlow, UK: Pearson Education Limited.
Navarro, Danielle. Learning Statistics with R. https://learningstatisticswithr.com/