SCY3660

Data appreciation

Not offered in 1999

Anthony McMahon

8 points - 2 hours per week - First semester - Clayton - Prerequisite: SCY2150 Research techniques

Objectives Upon completion of this subjects students should be able to understand the fundamental assumptions lying behind basic statistical procedures, and develop competence in selecting and applying appropriate procedures.

Synopsis A two-hour weekly seminar in elementary applied statistics which is designed to strengthen students' research skills. It follows on from SCY2150 which is a prerequisite. The subject covers most of the major statistical tools used by research sociologists: univariate and bivariate descriptive statistics, sampling theory, and tests of statistical significance; multivariate statistics will only be briefly touched upon. Particular emphasis is placed on the philosophical underpinnings of techniques of statistical inference, in order to develop a critical attitude of their use. While some computer applications will be discussed, simple paper and pencil calculations will be stressed, in the belief that this helps develop understanding much more readily than does the use of computers. The level of mathematics required is not very high, but students will need to be able to work comfortably with simple formulas, graphs and tables, and to operate a calculator.

Assessment Two practical assignments (2000 words equivalent each): 35% each - Class test (2 hours): 30%

Prescribed texts

Argyrous G Statistics for social research Macmillan, 1996

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