Microsoft Word version of final paper [here]

As a precursor to viewing this study history, please read my Philosophy of the Syllabus Post [here]

Class: SOC 881: Analysis of Soc Data I

Semester: Fall 2010

Time: MW, 10:20 AM – 12:10 PM

Location: 216 Berkey Hall

Instructor: Dr. Hui Liu; liuhu@msu.edu; 425B Berkey Hall; 517-353-3265

Teaching Assistant: Dilshani Sarathchandra; sarathch@msu.edu; Room 8, Berkey Hall; 517-353-1734

PLEASE NOTE that the syllabus structure and content is property of and created by the instructor. I am NOT posting as if this were my own material. I am simply posting what I studied, when, and where. Please read my Philosophy of the Syllabus Post [here]

ALL CREDIT OF THIS SYLLABUS STRUCTURE & MATERIAL TO DR. HUI LIU

Assignments

  1. Due in Class, Wed. Sep. 22
  2. Due in Class Wed. Oct 6
  3. Due in Class, Wed. Oct. 27
  4. Due in Class, Wed. Nov. 10
  5. Due in Class, Wed. Nov 29 [link]

Exams

  • First Take-Home Exam Due in Class, Wed. Oct. 13
  • Second Take-Home Exam Due in Class, Wed. Dec 8
  • Final Report Due Wed. Dec. 15, at Noon in Instructor’s Mailbox in 316 Berkey

Course Objectives

This course covers basic statistical methods and concepts in the social sciences. We emphasize the practical application of quantitative methods to answer questions in social science research. It is intended to give graduate students a foundation in quantitative sociological methods in preparation for advanced quantitative methods courses in sociology and other fields. Topics include: descriptive statistics, introduction to probability theory, frequency and probability distributions, sampling distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis tests, bivariate association between categorical variables, bivariate and multivariate regressions. By the end of this course, we expect you will be able to:

  • appropriately interpret relevant statistical reports in academic articles;
  • create relevant statistical reports as requested; and
  • choose appropriate statistical methods and apply them in your own research projects.

Prerequisite

Basic algebra knowledge (high school level) is required to succeed in this course. Previous experience in statistics will also be helpful but not required.

Main Texts

Agresti, Alan & Barbara Finley. 2009. Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences (Fourth Edition). Publisher: Prentice Hall. ISBN-10: 0130272957. ISBN-13: 9780130272959 (Referred to below as A&F).

Hamilton, Lawrence C. 2009. Statistics with Stata (Updated for Version 10). Publisher: Cengage. ISBN-10: 0-495-55786-2. ISBN-13: 978-0-495-55786-9. (Referred to below as H)

Website with STATA programming codes reproducing textbook examples can be found at: http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/examples/smss/default.htm

Software

STATA will be introduced as the major statistical analysis package in this course. We will teach the students how to use STATA to analyze data from social science surveys, such as General Social Survey, using the statistical methods discussed throughout the course. Please talk with the instructor if you prefer other statistical packages.

ALL CREDIT OF THIS SYLLABUS STRUCTURE & MATERIAL TO DR. HUI LIU

  1. W SEPT 1: Introduction to Classical Statistics
    • -Descriptive Vs. Inferential Statistics
    • -Basic Concepts
    • -Levels of Measurement
    • -Quantitative Data in Social Science
    • A&F: Ch.1, Ch. 2.1
    • H: Ch.1, Ch.2
  2. W SEPT 8: Descriptive Statistics: Univariate Analysis
    • -Frequency Distribution
    • -Tabular and Graphic Presentation
    • -Measure of Central Tendency and Dispersion
    • A&F: Ch.3.1, 3.2, 3.3,
    • 3.4, 3.6
    • H: Ch.3
  3. MW SEPT 13-15: Descriptive Statistics: Bivariate Analysis
    • -Joint Distribution
    • -Tabular and Graphic Presentation
    • A&F: Ch.3.5, Ch. 8.1
    • H: Ch.4
  4. MW SEPT 20-22: Homework 1 Due in Class, Wed. Sep. 22
  5. MW SEPT 20-29: Probability and Sampling
    • -Probability and Random Variables
    • -Probability Distributions
    • -Sampling Distribution vs. Sample Distribution
    • -Central Limit Theorem
    • A&F: Ch. 2.2, 2.3, Ch.4
    • Homework 2 Due in Class Wed. Oct 6
  6. MW OCT 4-6: Statistical Inference: Estimation
    • -Point Estimation
    • -Interval Estimation
    • A&F: Ch.5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4
  7. First Take-Home Exam Due in Class, Wed. Oct. 13
  8. MW OCT 11-20: Statistical Inference: One Sample Hypothesis Testing
    • -Hypothesis Testing for a Mean
    • -Hypothesis Testing for a Proportion
    • -Type I and II Errors
    • A&F: Ch.6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5,
    • H: Ch.5
  9. Homework 3 Due in Class, Wed. Oct. 27
  10. MW OCT 25-NOV 3: Statistical Inference: Two Sample Hypothesis Testing
    • -Comparing Two Means
    • -Comparing Two Proportions
    • -Hypothesis Test Vs. Confidence Interval
    • A&F: Ch.7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4
    • Homework 4 Due in Class, Wed. Nov. 10
  11. NOV 8-10: Bivariate Association between Categorical Variables
    • -Tests of Independence
    • -Measures of Association
    • A&F: Ch. 8.1, 8.2, 8.4, 8.5
  12. NOV 15-24: Bivariate Linear Regression and Correlation
    • -OLS Regression
    • -Inferences and Interpretation of Intercept and Slope
    • -Correlation Coefficient and Coefficient of Determination
    • -Model Assumptions and Violations
    • A&F: Ch. 9
    • H: Ch.6
  13. Homework 5 Due in Class, Wed. Dec 1
  14. NOV 29-DEC 8: Multivariate Regression
    • -Introduction to Multivariate Relationships
    • -Multivariate Regression
    • -Inference and Interpretation of Multiple Regression Coefficients
    • -Modeling Interaction
    • -Comparing Models
    • A&F: Ch. 10, Ch. 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6
  15. Second Take-Home Exam Due in Class, Wed. Dec 8
  16. Final Report Due Wed. Dec. 15, at Noon in Instructor’s Mailbox in 316 Berkey

Course Requirements

Reading assignments: Readings from the texts will be assigned each week. Although reading assignments do not constitute your final grade, they are extremely helpful for you to understand the lectures and finish the homework and exams. I strongly recommend that you read the assigned material once before class and then again afterward.

ALL CREDIT OF THIS SYLLABUS STRUCTURE & MATERIAL TO DR. HUI LIU

Homework assignments: You will be expected to turn in 5 homework assignments. Each homework assignment will correspond to one or two topics coved in class. You are allowed and encouraged to collaborate with others, but the work you turn in must be your own. Homework must be received on or before the due dates. There will be a penalty of 20% of the possible points per day late for late submissions.

ALL CREDIT OF THIS SYLLABUS STRUCTURE & MATERIAL TO DR. HUI LIU

Exams: Two open-book take-home exams are scheduled. You are free to talk with the instructor or TA if you need clarification as to the meaning of a question. No discussions with any other person are allowed for the exams. Violation of this rule is regarded as academic dishonesty and may result in failure of this course. Excessive similarity in answers may be used as evidence of such collaboration. Read MSU policies regarding academic integrity: https://www.msu.edu/unit/ombud/RegsOrdsPolicies.html No late submission will be accepted for the exams unless a request is approved by the instructor (not the TA). In the case of accepted late submission—if the reasons given are acceptable, there will be a penalty of 20% of the possible points per day late.

ALL CREDIT OF THIS SYLLABUS STRUCTURE & MATERIAL TO DR. HUI LIU

Final Research Report: All students are required to write a final research report. This report will be approximately 5-10 pages double spaced and will include a research question section, a data and sample section, a measures section, a methods section and a results section. Detailed instructions on the report will be handed out in class. The main purpose of this report is to encourage you in the process of conducting research and enable you to apply what you have learned in the class to an actual scientific study. We strongly encourage you to talk with the instructor or TA about this project report at least once during the semester.

ALL CREDIT OF THIS SYLLABUS STRUCTURE & MATERIAL TO DR. HUI LIU

Final Grade:
Five Homework Assignments: 40% Total
Two Take-Home Exams: 35% Total
Final Research Report: 25%

A: 90 and 90+
B: 80 and 80+
C: 70 and 70+
D: 60 and 60+
F: <60

In order to get A in this class, you have to get A for both homework assignments and final research
report.

All assignments, exams and final report must be turned in as hard copy. In the case that you were unable to be present when the assignment/exam is due, you may send an electronic submission to show that you have completed it on time. You are still required to turn in a hard copy when you can. The hard copy you turn in should not be changed from your electronic submission. We will only grade and comment on hard copies. The last day for dropping courses with no grade reported is the middle of the semester.