SOC 280W - Social Statistics with SPSS

Credits: 4
Instructional Contact Hours: 4

Introduces statistical techniques and their application in social research. Includes tabular and graphical presentation of data, measues of central tendency and dispersion, measures of association and tests of significance. Credit may be earned in SOC 280 or SOC 279W, but not both.

Prerequisite(s): Completion with a grade of C or better in SOC 211W or SOC 250W (with a grade of C or better), Math level 6; or MTH 099, MTH 118AW, MTH 118W, MTH 119AW, or MTH 119W (with a grade of C or better)
Corequisite(s): None
Lecture Hours: 60 Lab Hours: 0
Meets MTA Requirement: None
Pass/NoCredit: Yes

Outcomes and Objectives

Apply the scientific method to social science research.
1. Identify research methods appropriate to an operational definition of a research problem.
2. Evaluate and utilize social science research.
3. Write and test hypotheses.
4. Identify sampling and data collection methods employing probability theory.
5. Analyze and interpret data.
6. Report scientific conclusions.
Demonstrate quantitative literacy.
1. Differentiate nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio levels of measurement.
2. Employ univariate, bivariate and multivariate data analysis using SPSS.
3. Enter and code data from both primary and secondary data sources.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in the creation of tabular and graphical presentation of data, measures of central tendency and dispersion, measures of association and tests of significance.
Employ scientific reasoning with data.
1. Interpret tabular and graphical presentation of data, measures of central tendency and dispersion, measures of association and tests of significance.
2. Identify the relationship between independent and dependent variables when hypothesis writing and testing.
3. Draw scientifically sound conclusions based upon data.
Use writing tasks to promote learning.
1. Practice critical research writing skills in the reporting and analysis of data.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the subject matter.