Spring 2025 - STAT 203 OL01
Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences (3)
Class Number: 2272
Delivery Method: Online
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Online
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Exam Times + Location:
Feb 6, 2025
Thu, 6:00–7:50 p.m.
BurnabyMar 20, 2025
Thu, 6:00–7:50 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Wei Lin
wla195@sfu.ca
1 778 782-4489
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Prerequisites:
Recommended: 30 units including a research methods course such as SA 255, CRIM 220, POL 200W, or equivalent.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Descriptive and inferential statistics aimed at students in the social sciences. Scales of measurement. Descriptive statistics. Measures of association. Hypothesis tests and confidence intervals. Students in Sociology and Anthropology are expected to take SA 255 before this course. Intended to be particularly accessible to students who are not specializing in Statistics. Students cannot obtain credit for STAT 203 if they already have credit for - or are taking concurrently - STAT 101, 201, 205, 285, or any upper division STAT course. Quantitative.
COURSE DETAILS:
Mode of Teaching:
Distance Education
This course will have some videos, all of which are asynchronous. There will be no live lectures.
This course may be applied to the Certificate in Liberal Arts
Outline:
This course covers Chapters 1-5, 7-12, 15-22, and 24-27 of the textbook. Chapters 7, 11, 19, and 24 are section reviews (and thus are optional). Details of the other chapters are as follows:
- Descriptive Statistics (Chapters 1, 2, and 4 of text) Basic graphical statistics (e.g. bar graphs, pie charts, histograms, time plots, scatterplots) and basic numerical statistics (e.g. mean, median, mode, quartiles, standard deviation, correlation) are discussed. Scales of measurement are distinguished (e.g. nominal, ordinal, ratio and interval).
- Probability (Chapters 3 and 12 of text) The normal distribution is introduced along with probability rules.
- Sampling (Chapter 8 of text) Various sampling designs such as simple random sampling are discussed. The implementation of sampling procedures is also presented.
- Experiments and Observational Studies (Chapters 8 and 9 of text) The design of experiments is introduced with an emphasis on randomization, treatments, subjects, factors, pairing and controls. Comparisons are made with observational studies.
- Inference (Chapters 15, 16, 17, 18) Concepts related to the construction of confidence intervals (e.g. sampling distributions, confidence level, width, interpretation, the effect of sample size) are discussed. Also basic concepts related to the testing of hypotheses (e.g. hypotheses, p-values, statistical significance) are presented.
- Estimation and Testing for One Sample Problems (Chapters 20 and 22 of text) Procedures for means and proportions are discussed with an emphasis on the use of statistical software and the interpretation of results.
- Estimation and Testing for Two Sample Problems (Chapters 21 and 23 of text) Procedures for means and proportions are discussed with an emphasis on the use of statistical software and the interpretation of results.
- One Way ANOVA (Chapter 27 of text) One way analysis of variance procedures are discussed with an emphasis on implementation using statistical software and the interpretation of results.
- Chi-Square Tests (Chapters 6 and 25 of text) Procedures for testing in contingency tables are discussed with an emphasis on the use of statistical software and the interpretation of results. Measures of association are discussed.
- Regression (Chapter 5 and 26 of text) Simple linear regression is introduced with an emphasis on carrying out regression on actual data using statistical software and the interpretation of results. Related concepts including residuals, least squares fit, testing and the construction of confidence intervals is addressed.
- Data Ethics (Chapter 10) Various concepts in the ethical use of data are discussed.
- Binomial Distribution (Chapter 14) Along with the normal distribution, the Binomial is one of the most important distributions in statistics. We examine the conditions leading to the Binomail and Binomial calculations.
Grading
- Three online quizzes (5% each, totaling 15%) 15%
- In-person midterm 1 - Feb 6 - Burnaby Campus 20%
- In-person midterm 2 - Mar 20 - Burnaby Campus 25%
- In-person final exam - Burnaby Campus 40%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Required Textbook:
The Basic Practice of Statistics (9th ed.) by D. S. Moore, W. I. Notz, and M. A. Fligner. Publisher: W.H. Freeman Publishers
Book is available through the SFU Bookstore
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Department Undergraduate Notes:
Students with Disabilities:
Students requiring accommodations as a result of disability must contact the Centre for Accessible Learning 778-782-3112 or caladmin@sfu.ca.
Tutor Requests:
Students looking for a tutor should visit https://www.sfu.ca/stat-actsci/all-students/other-resources/tutoring.html. We accept no responsibility for the consequences of any actions taken related to tutors.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.