Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - PSYC 210 D100

Introduction to Data Analysis in Psychology (4)

Class Number: 3829

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Dr. M. Sigal
    msigal@sfu.ca
    Office: RCB 6155
    Office Hours: TBD

  • Prerequisites:

    BC high school Math 12 with a minimum grade of C (2.0) or BC high school Math 11 with a minimum grade of B- (2.67) or any level MATH or STAT course with a C- (1.67) or FAN X99 taken at SFU with a minimum grade of C (2.00) or achieving a satisfactory grade on the Simon Fraser University Quantitative Placement Test. Corequisite: PSYC 201W, but prior completion recommended.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Covers basic descriptive and inferential techniques most appropriately applied to the various forms of data from psychological research. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

Understanding statistics is vitally important for work in Psychology. Data analytic techniques form the bedrock for many avenues of scientific research, and understanding their theory implies knowing when a particular approach is appropriate and, more critically, when it is not. Did your clinical intervention work? Is the hot new teaching method effective? Can we predict what someone will do under duress? Is eyewitness testimony accurate? In each of these scenarios, psychology and statistics intertwine to provide narrative and are used to sway opinion, serve as evidence, and communicate our findings to a broad audience. In PSYC210, Introduction to Data Analysis in Psychology, you will gain the foundation that other courses in your degree build upon that will enable you to conduct research, interpret results, and grasp the more complex statistical models widely used in our field.

Grading

  • Participation: 10%
  • Writing Assignments: 25%
  • Mid-Term Exam: 30%
  • Final Exam: 35%

NOTES:

Topics:
Descriptive statistics; inferential statistics; data visualization; hypothesis testing.

REQUIREMENTS:

Prerequisites: PSYC 201W and BC high school Math 12 with a minimum grade of C (2.0) or BC high school Math 11 with a minimum grade of B- (2.67).

Lectures and tutorials will be held in-person.

**Tutorials start on first week of classes**

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Required Text: Privitera, G. (2018). Essential Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (2nd Ed.). Sage Publishing.
Student study guide also available (not required) and online resources: https://edge.sagepub.com/priviteraess2e

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.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


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.