PS 225Lecture 1

Introduction

Quantitative and Qualitative Research

Basic Mathematics Review

Goal

Prepare for the course by addressing course administration, establishing a broad context and verifying possession of requisite mathematical skills

Today’s Agenda Class Introduction Basic Mathematics Review Next Class

Introductions

About Me: Meghan Cherry Master of Public Policy Master of Industrial Engineering Employment in Applied Statistical Analysis

Barclays Capital University of Michigan Hospital Operations University of Michigan Hospital Government

Relations

Availability Office Hours

By Appointment - Feel free to schedule alternative meeting times!

Email mcherry@svsu.edu Expect day delay in answering emails

Phone Cell: 989-413-9004 Call between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Expect day delay in answering voicemail SVSU Weather Line (989) 964-4477

Course Goals

Introduce students to basic statistical methods in the social sciences

Teach students to make and respond to arguments using statistical data

Communication Intensive

This course will develop abilities in a range of written and oral modes of academic discourse, with an emphasis on developing the ability to construct coherent, well-documented arguments in the presence of a wide range of perspective and experiences

Basic Statistical Methods

Data Types and Data Collection Descriptive Statistics Inferential Statistics Bivariate Statistics

Course Materials

The Essentials of Statistics: A Tool for Social Research and Student Guide

SPSS Quickstarts A Writer’s Resource: A Handbook for

Writing and Research Basic Scientific Calculator Software: SPSS

Available in Computer Labs Student Version with Book

Website

www.megcherry.com

All course materials posted

Grading

Daily in-class assignments (20%) Final Notebook (10%) Quizzes (5%) Three tests and final exam (15,15,15

and 15%) Attendance (5%)

Grade Scale

93-100% A

90-93% A-

87-89% B+

83-86% B

80-82% B-

77-79% C+

70-76% C

60-69% D

0-60% F

Grade Calculations

You are responsible for keeping track of your own grade.

A grade calculation is the same as the calculation of a weighted mean- something you learn to do in this class!

Honor Code

As a student at Saginaw Valley State University:I am committed to upholding a high standard of academic integrity

in all of my work, inside and outside of the classroom. Out of respect for my peers, professors, institution, and self, I will complete all tasks honestly and to the best of my ability.

I am guided by my conscience as I work toward my educational and personal goals, and I expect my fellow students to practice that same moral judgment.

I take pride in my academic accomplishments and therefore will not give or receive unauthorized assistance on any assignment, project, exam or other university requirement.

I seek to maintain the honor of a Saginaw Valley State University degree, and I will preserve its value throughout my professional career.

Don’t cheat- It isn’t worth it!

Disabilities

Of you have a disability that may restrict your participation in the course:

Contact the instructor immediately Contact the Office of Disability Services

in Curtis 112 for Assistance

Policy Exceptions

Exceptions require documentation of circumstances

Must be handled in advance whenever possible

For a more extensive treatment, refer to the syllabus

Additional Resources

Writing Center, Zahnow 308

Writing Center

Services: Assist with all components of writing Identify and address grammar issues

Getting Help: Walk-ins are welcome Online tutoring available 24/7

Course Schedule

Tentative and subject to change based on class progress

Class speed is largely determined by the number and type of questions asked during the lecture portion of the course

Questions

What is Statistics?

A numerical discipline that involves collecting, organizing, interpreting and presenting data

Branches of Statistics

Descriptive statistics are used to describe the characteristics of a set of data

Inferential statistics are used to make conclusions, estimates or forecasts

Goal of Statistics

Understand the world around usMake informed decisions

Everyday Statistical Statements

I’m more likely to pass this test if I start studying early

On average, I sleep six hours a night

Statistics allows us to quantify these familiar ideas and understand the element of chance or randomness.

Research Methods

Qualitative- analysis of words, pictures, objects and other non-numerical data Case Studies Interviews

Quantitative- analysis of numerical data Physical Measurements Statistics

Goals

Qualitative- a complete description of a phenomena

Quantitative- classify, count or use mathematical models to explain phenomena

Prerequisites

Qualitative- may have only partially identified what knowledge is desired from the research

Quantitative- desired knowledge is carefully and completely identified before research begins whenever possible

Use

Qualitative- used independently or often in the beginning stages of a larger research project

Quantitative- used independently or often in the end stages of a larger research project

Design

Qualitative- frequently modified as study progresses

Quantitative- established fully before the beginning of data collection

Nature of Data

Qualitative- subjective, relying largely on the researcher’s interpretation

Quantitative- as objective as possible

Researcher

Qualitative- becomes immersed in subject matter

Quantitative- attempts to maintain a separate, objective relationship to the data

Strengths and Weaknesses

Qualitative Data is ‘rich’ Time consuming Difficult to generalize

Quantitative Data is very specific and difficult to

contextualize Efficient to collect Can be used to test general hypotheses

Balancing Research Methods

Quantitative and qualitative research in partnership build a more comprehensive world view than either type alone

Statistical analyses and data collection should be informed by qualitative research

Basic Mathematics Review

Personal assessment of class readiness Please consult the instructor immediately

if you have ANY difficulties with the review

Order of Operations

Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally

ParenthesesExponentM

ultiplication

Division

AdditionSubtraction

Reading For Next Class Census Sampling Confusion

http://www.sciencenews.org/sn_arc99/3_6_99/bob1.htm Why the 2010 Census stirs up partisan politics

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1879667,00.html