Main Content
Syllabus
Psychology (PSYCH) 200 Elementary Statistics in Psychology : (4): correlations; simple regression equations. variability; normal probability curve; elementary sampling and reliability; frequency distributions and graphs; measures of central tendency and Elementary Statistics in Psychology
Overview
The goal of PSYCH 200 is to provide an introduction to the statistical methods used in psychological research. This course is a departmental requirement and should be relevant to anyone interested in psychological phenomena, because the vast majority of information you learn in any psychology course is to a lesser or greater degree based on the methods you will learn in this course.
A Word of Encouragement and Advice
Learning statistics is learning a new skill. The good news is that similar to other skills, people get better the more they practice. On the flip side, you have to practice in order to gain a sufficient understanding of the concepts covered in the course. The course is set up in such a way that you will practice problems after each reading assignment, and submit evaluation problems every week to demonstrate your understanding. These exercises are meant as a comprehension check for the instructor as much as they are meant as a check for you. As holds for most skills, some people will be more statistically inclined than others, but practice can compensate. Being diligent is crucial for doing well in the course. Please contact the instructor early on with questions if you feel lost.
Objectives
By the end of the course students will be able to:
- Explain the difference between experiments and other methods of data collection.
- Identify dependent and independent variables within an experimental setting and explain the differences between different classes of variables, including discrete and continuous variables.
- Explain how findings from sample data can be extended to larger, more general populations.
- Read and understand statistical descriptions of data.
- Generate descriptive statistics, through figures and tables with Excel software.
- Analyze data from a scientific research study, including and being able to define and work with: z-scores, t-tests, Analysis of Variance, correlation, regression, and chi-square tests.
- Draw inferences based on the results of statistical tests.
- Evaluate the results of scientific studies.
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.Tutor.com
Overview: Tutor.com is a 24/7 tutoring service that provides students with assistance in coursework, test preparation, research, writing, and more for various subjects. The tutors are subject-matter experts, and each student will have personalized one-on-one sessions with them. Students can schedule their own tutoring appointments to engage in interactive sessions that include a whiteboard and chat feature. The service can be utilized on any device that has Internet access. Students are encouraged to use the service throughout the semester.
Getting Started with Tutor.com:
- Launch Tutor.com by clicking the Tutor.com link in the Course Navigation Menu.
- Select the topic you are studying from the drop-down menu.
- From the subject drop-down menu, select your course.
- Ask your tutor a question in the text box. If you're working with a document, such as a rough draft of a writing assignment, you can upload the file here as well.
- Once you have made these selections, click Get a Tutor, and a tutor will be assigned to you within two minutes.
- You will then enter a virtual classroom with your tutor. Here, the interactive whiteboard and chat feature will be available. You will be able to talk with your tutor and use the tools. File sharing will be available for you and your tutor to review a document at the same time.
- After your session, please fill out the post-session survey to offer feedback on your experience.
- For a more detailed overview of Tutor.com, please view the How It Works video or read the "How It Works" guide (provide link to document). If you have any questions or need additional help logging in, please contact studentsupport@tutor.com
Library Resources
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 can view the Online Students' Library Guide for more information.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and services. Once you have a Penn State account, you will automatically be registered with the library within 24–48 hours. If you would like to determine whether your registration has been completed, visit the Libraries home page and select My Account.
Technical Specifications
| Operating System | Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
|---|---|
| Browser | Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
| Additional Canvas Requirements | For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
| Additional Software | All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
| Hardware | Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Mobile Device (optional) | The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements. |
Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ)
During the semester you will receive information for completing the Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ). Your participation is an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on your learning experience. Your feedback is important because it allows us to understand your experience in this course and make changes to improve the learning experiences of future students. Please monitor email and course communications for links and availability dates.
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!
MathJax
This course uses MathJax to display complex equations in an accessible way for all viewers. An example of an equation displayed using MathJax follows:
One useful feature of MathJax, Zoom Trigger, enlarges equations when you click on them or hover over them with the mouse. To set up a Zoom Trigger, please follow the steps below.
Step 1: Right-click on the equation.
Step 2: Hover over "Math Settings."
Step 3: Hover over "Zoom Trigger."
Step 4: Click on your preferred Zoom Trigger option, which will allow you to zoom in on an equation with either a hover, click, or double-click.
Course Requirements
PSYCH 200 consists of 15 individual lessons. On average, you will complete one lesson per week. Part of the first lesson acquaints you with the course materials and procedures. After Lesson 7 and Lesson 12 there are mid-course exams, and after Lesson 15 is the final exam. The exams are not cumulative in terms of their material, but materials later in the course build heavily on knowledge obtained from materials earlier in the course.
For each lesson, you will complete the following activities in this order:
- Read the learning objectives for the lesson.
- Complete the reading assignment listed in the course schedule.
- Read the Instructor Commentary.
- Complete the evaluation exercises which will be graded.
- Complete the Learning Lab
- Review the learning objectives to insure that you have achieved them.
The evaluation exercises will be made available and completed online through Aplia.
Exam Instructions
This course has three exams. Exam 1 comes immediately after Lesson 6, Exam 2 comes right at the end of Lesson 10, and the Final Exam comes at the end of the course. The exams are hidden from view until the official exam start date begins. Once the period during which you can take the exam begins, you will see the exam appear within the Exams folder under the Activities list for the course.
Each of the exams has some multiple choice questions, some True-False questions, and some open-ended short answer questions. Some of the questions are knowledge-based and definitional in nature; others require that you complete a set of calculations using a calculator.
You will be given 2 hours (120 minutes) to complete each exam. The next point is very important: Once you open the exam the timer will start and you will not be able to stop the timer. If you close the exam once it is started you will not be able to return to it. Note that you are only allowed 1 submission of your answers.
You should be prepared to work relatively quickly. For a person who knows the material well, the exam should take only about 60 minutes. It is unlikely that someone who spends a great deal of time trying to find answers and definitions in the book will be able to finish. So make sure that you are prepared before you begin!
If time expires, any questions that are unanswered will count as incorrect. Be sure that you can devote entire 120 contiguous minutes to the exam. It is suggested that you find a location that is free from potential distractions, and make arrangements ahead of time to avoid interruptions.
Note that you ARE ALLOWED to use your textbook and notes during the exam. But as mentioned above, relying too much on these materials during the exam may mean that you will not finish on time.
You are NOT ALLOWED to use any other resources. This includes any internet resources, or asking anyone else for help. You must complete all of the work on your own. In the event that these rules are broken, an academic integrity claim will be filed, and the situation will be dealt with according to Penn State policy (you can check the syllabus for a link to the relevant information on academic integrity).
If you have any questions, please contact your instructor before you start the exam.
Grading
The point breakdown for graded assignments is as follows:
| Assignment | Points | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| There are 15 Evaluation Assignments in Aplia | 15@ var. points= 180 points | ~26% |
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There are 13 Learning Labs. The lowest 2 will be dropped, so your grade will be based on 11 Learning Labs worth 15 pts. each. | 11@ 15 points= 165 points | ~24% |
| There will be 3 Exams each worth 100 points. |
3@ 100 points= 300 points | ~44% |
| Your effort will be graded such that you can earn up to 40 points. Effort will be based on getting assignments turned in on time and on your activity logs. | 40 points | ~6% |
| Totals | 685 Points | 100% |
Late Policy
This is a semester-based course with deadlines. Students are expected to complete work by posted deadlines. Please check the course schedule for the times and dates that assignments are due in this course (times are listed in North American Eastern Time). Please contact your instructor to discuss legitimate and unavoidable situations that may cause lateness (such as illness, injury or family emergency). If you know that you are going to miss a deadline, please contact your instructor in advance of that deadline to discuss an extension (or if you are not able to contact the instructor before the deadline, as soon as you are able). Decisions regarding extensions will be made at the discretion of the instructor on a case-by-case basis.
In the absence of a legitimate and unavoidable situation, late work will be accepted at the discretion of the instructor and will be penalized up to 10% of the total assignment points for each day of lateness. Unless there is a legitimate and unavoidable situation that causes prolonged lateness, work more than 1 week late will not be accepted.
Grading Scale
| Grade and points | Percentage |
|---|---|
| A = 634 - 685 points | 93% - 100% |
| A- = 614 – 633 points | 90% - 92% |
| B+ = 593 – 613 points | 87% - 89% |
| B = 566 – 592 points | 83% - 86% |
| B- = 544 – 565 points | 80% - 82% |
| C+ = 525 – 543 points | 77% - 79% |
| C = 476 – 524 points | 70% - 76% |
| D = 408 – 475 points | 60% - 69% |
| F = 407 points or less | <60% |
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Undergraduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies.
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.
[printer-friendly version]Course Schedule
Note: All due dates reflect North American eastern time (ET).
| Lesson 3: | Variability |
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| Lesson 5: | Probability |
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| Lesson 6: | Probability and Samples: The distribution of Sample Means |
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| Lesson 8: | Introduction to the t-statistic |
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| Lesson 13: | Correlation and Regression |
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| Final Exam: | |
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All Week 16 assignments are due Monday. |
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.
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 go to the Graduation Information on the My Penn State Online Student Portal.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity—scholarship free of fraud and deception—is an important educational objective of Penn State. Academic dishonesty can lead to a failing grade or referral to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to
- cheating,
- plagiarism,
- fabrication of information or citations,
- facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others,
- unauthorized prior possession of examinations,
- submitting the work of another person or work previously used without, informing the instructor and securing written approval, and
- tampering with the academic work of other students.
Students are responsible for maintaining academic integrity. Violations include cheating on exams or quizzes, talking to others during an exam or quiz, getting help from others on exams or quizzes, having notes accessible during exams or quizzes, looking at another student's answers during an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and dishonesty in any aspect of course participation. Also, you may not share any information from this course (including assignments and papers) with others, nor post such information electronically without the permission of the instructor. Violations of academic integrity including charges of plagiarism) and may result in a grade of F for the course as well as other penalties (see Faculty Senate Policy 49-20).
Heads up – several note-taking/note-sharing companies approach students about “jobs” (including Nittany Notes and those that appear to be connected to PSU). If this is something that you want to do, you MUST talk with your instructor first. Unless you have permission, you risk academic sanctions related to charges of plagiarism and disciplinary sanctions.
How to avoid plagiarism in this course
- Always place copied information within quotation marks, cite the source, and include information about the source in a bibliography.
- Always cite paraphrased information and include information about the source in a bibliography.
- When in doubt, cite and include the source in a bibliography.
Please make sure you submit the correct version of your paper. Whatever you hand in will be considered your final version and will be graded, even if you submit a blank document. Please note, claiming that you submitted the wrong file is NOT an acceptable excuse for work containing plagiarism.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, procedure requires an instructor to notify a student of suspected dishonesty before filing a charge and recommended sanction with the college. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If a disciplinary sanction also is recommended, the case will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures 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.
Additionally, 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.
For More Information on Academic Integrity at Penn State
Please see the Academic Integrity Chart for specific college contact information or visit one of the following URLs:
- Penn State Senate Policy on Academic Integrity
- Turnitin (a web-based plagiarism detection and prevention system)
Accommodating Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has resources for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources (SDR) website provides contacts for disability services at every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the SDR website.
In order to apply for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability resources office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation based on the documentation guidelines. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability resources 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.
Additional Policies
The purpose of course communication tools is to provide students with a quick method for contacting faculty, teaching assistants, and other students of the class, in regards to course related questions, comments, and concerns. Please note that, according to University policy AD95/AD96, course communication tools may not be used as a method for emailing unauthorized content including but not limited to: solicitation for businesses, advertisements, selling or distributing personal or class materials, transmitting offensive, obscene, or harassing materials, chain letters, news posts, or other forms of “spam” email. Doing so will be considered a violation of course and/or University policies, and might also violate the student code of conduct and the expectations expressed in the Penn State Principles. Resulting penalties might include the suspension or termination of system access, as well as disciplinary or academic sanctions. When appropriate, information about violators will be passed on to University Police Services. If you have any questions in regards to whether or not a particular email you wish to send would violate University policies, please check with your instructor before sending messages to others through the University system.
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.
Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage.
If you have a crisis or safety concern, mental health services are available to you as a Penn State student. Crisis and emergency contacts are available, no matter where you are located:
- Anywhere in the United States: Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400 or text LIONS to 741741. You can also contact your local crisis services or hospital for emergencies.
- Outside the United States: Please contact emergency services in your current location. You can also use the International Crisis and Emergency Services listings.
- At University Park: Assistance is available at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) locations on campus.
- At a Penn State branch campus: You can search for counseling information at your campus.
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or dependents with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
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.