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CRIMJ 260 Statistical Analysis for the Social Sciences : Methods of collection, presentation, and analysis of quantitative data in the social science; procedures, interpretation, and application.
Overview
CRIMJ 260 (PUBPL) STATISTICAL ANALYSIS FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES (4) Methods of collection, presentation, and analysis of quantitative data in the social science; procedures, interpretation, and application. Statistical Analysis for the Social Sciences covers the theory and methodology of statistical analysis. This course includes mathematical calculation of Univariate and Bivariate models, including mean, mode median, variance and standard deviation, Crosstabs with Chi-Square, Independent and Paired Samples t-tests, Anova and Turkey's H.S.D, Correlation and Regression. It also makes use of SPSS and publicly available data sets to examine univariate data, and test hypotheses at both the bivariate and multivariate level. Students become familiar with the calculations behind the analysis, and engage in the analysis and reporting of actual data.
This course will examine statistics as a mathematical "language" for interpreting the interrelation of social forces impacting criminality and deviance. The focus of the course, then, is two-pronged. First, significant attention will be paid to the calculation of various statistics. Secondly, we will be discussing the meaning of these figures for criminal justice scholars and practitioners.
What will be covered in this course
The material covered in this course can be roughly divided into four distinct sections. Covered first are topics that discuss purpose, utilization and interpretation of statistics in social science. The second portion of the course will provide the foundation for the analysis of quantitative data. They include: the rationale for quantitative analysis in social science, measures of central tendency, and elementary measures of dispersion. The third portion of the course will focus on the logic of probability theory and the development and testing of research hypotheses. The final section of the course covers statistics commonly utilized in social science research projects such as chi-square, t-tests, F Statistic, and correlation coefficients. This course is designed to provide students with the basic knowledge and skills required to compute elementary statistics while simultaneously providing an introduction to the process of critical understanding and interpretation of quantitative findings in an applied context.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Be familiar with common statistics tools and languages utilized in criminal justice research.
- Understand what components presented in the [statistical] formula
- Recognize which statistic to apply in any given problem
- Discuss the interpretation of these statistics so that there is an understanding of what these numbers mean in terms of the “real world.”
Required Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.
Using the Library
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service. The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.
Technical Requirements
| Operating System | Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8*; Mac OS X 10.5 or higher *Windows 8 support excludes the tablet only RT version |
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| Processor | 2 GHz or higher |
| Memory | 1 GB of RAM |
| Hard Drive Space | 20 GB free disk space |
| Browser | We recommend the latest ANGEL-supported version of Firefox or
Internet Explorer. To determine if your browser fits this criterion,
and for advice on downloading a supported version,
please refer to the following ITS knowledge base article: Supported Browsers and Recommended Computers.
Note: Cookies, Java, and JavaScript must be enabled. Pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. Due to nonstandard handling of CSS, JavaScript and caching, older versions of Internet Explorer (such as IE 6 or earlier) do not work with our courses. |
| Plug-ins | Adobe Reader [Download from Adobe]
Flash Player (v7.0 or later) [Download from Adobe] |
| Additional Software | Microsoft Office (2007 or later) |
| Internet Connection | Broadband (cable or DSL) connection required |
| Printer | Access to graphics-capable printer |
| DVD-ROM | Required |
| Sound Card, Microphone, and Speakers | Required |
| Monitor | Capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
General Course Requirements
- Weekly Assignments
- Discussions
Students will receive a grade for participation in discussion forum postings. Discussion grading is based on the following criteria: significance of ideas, Originality of thought, clarity of expression and organization of ideas, timeliness, and appropriate language (civility, excessive jargon, etc.).
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Homework Problems
Also, at the end of each lesson containing a quantitative component, students will be required to complete practice assignments (hand calculation and/or analysis of data using SPSS) and submit their work for a grade.
- Discussions
- Exams
- There will be three exams throughout the semester that will be of both an objective (multiple-choice, matching, etc.) and short answer (fill in the blank) format. The total possible points for each exam will be 100. All exams will be non-cumulative, focusing exclusively on the topics covered in the previous class sessions.
- Exams will be completed online through ANGEL
Notes: If, at the end of the semester, your participation is less than 50% in any one activity (discussions, homework, tests) you will receive a failing grade for the course.
Course Grading Scheme
Grading Items |
Points |
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| Weekly Assignment | Discussions | 100 |
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| Homework problems | 300 |
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| Exam | Exam 1 | 100 |
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| Exam 2 | 100 |
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| Exam 3 | 150 |
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| Total | 750 |
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If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled; the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student; or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus.
For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.
Course Schedule
Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please refer to Graduation at the Chaiken Center for Student Success.
| Module 1 - Introduction |
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| Lesson 1: The Purpose of Statistics in Criminology and Criminal Justice | |
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| Module 2 - Descriptive Statistics (Lessons 2-3) |
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| Lesson 2: Basic Elements in Research Design | |
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| Lesson 3: Basic Concepts in Research Data Analysis | |
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| Exam I | |
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| Module 3 - The Logics of Statistic Inference |
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| Lesson 4: Introduction to Probability Theory | |
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| Lesson 5: Hypothesis Testing | |
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| Lesson 6: More Hypothesis Testing | |
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| Exam II | |
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| Module 4 - Inferential Statistics |
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| Lesson 7: Data Analysis with Two Categorical Variables | |
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| Lesson 8: Measures of Association with Nominal and Ordinal Level Data | |
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| Lesson 9: Testing Relationship Strength - z-scores | |
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| Lesson 10: Testing Relationship Strength - t-tests | |
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| Lesson 11: Hypothesis Tests Involving Three of More Population Means: Analysis of Variance, F Test, and Tukey's HSD | |
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| Lesson 12: Bivariate Correlations and Regression | |
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| Exam III | |
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Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.
Grading
Please refer to the University Registrar's information about University grading policies.
Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity (for undergraduate students in undergraduate courses) and policy GCAC-805 Academic Integrity (for graduate students and undergraduate students in graduate courses), an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity or GCAC-805 Academic Integrity as appropriate). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and personal
integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and property; and help
create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the
fruits of their own efforts. An environment of academic integrity is
requisite to respect for oneself and others, as well as a civil community.
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, procedures allow a student to accept or contest/appeal the allegation. If a student chooses to contest/appeal the allegation, the case will then be managed by the respective school, college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. Review procedures may vary by college, campus, or school, but all follow the aforementioned policies.
All academic integrity violations are referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response, which may assign an educational intervention and/or apply a Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, or Expulsion.
Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page.
University Policies
- Accommodating Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University’s educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities, including World Campus. The Disabilities and Accommodations section of the Chaiken Center for Student Success website provides World Campus students with information regarding how to request accommodations, documentation guidelines and eligibility, and appeals and complaints. For additional information, please visit the University's Student Disability Resources website.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Students with disabilities participating in internship, practicum, student teaching, or other experiential learning opportunities as part of their degree requirements may also be eligible for reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access and opportunity. These accommodations are determined through an interactive process involving the student, their University supervisor, and the site supervisor. Student Disability Resources can assist students with identifying potential barriers, facilitating accommodation requests, and coordinating with University supervisors to promote inclusive learning experiences.
- Additional Course Policies
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your instructor will notify you of any changes.