Course Syllabus
Download the syllabus.
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Areas of Interests and Expertise
Awards and Achievements
Phone: + 1 405 325 4319 Email: jgreene@ou.edu Instructor Live Session : Thursday 6:00-7:00 PM (Central) (review on lecture and book HW) TA Live Session: Thursday 7:00-8:00 PM (Central) (Computer based Homework review) Zoom link: https://oklahoma.zoom.us/j/4197934126?pwd=cEJucEhneERPYWFFd2VVUmtRV05nUT09 Password: 85536639 |
Professor and Chair Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability |
Graduate Teaching Assistant Contact Information:
Matthew Maynard
OFFICE HOURS: Thursday 7:00 - 8:00 PM (Central) Zoom or Zoom by appointment.
EMAIL: matthew.d.maynard49@ou.edu
Assumed Prior Knowledge
There are no prerequisites for the course. We will be examining statistical processes to determine how numbers and data can be used to identify patterns and facilitate decision-making. To accomplish this, you will be exposed to a series of mathematical techniques and computer software. However, there is no prerequisite that you are familiar with either advanced mathematics or computer programming, as all required skills will be taught as part of the class.
Course Materials
The textbook for the course is:
- Statistical Reasoning for Everyday Life, Bennett, Briggs, and Triola, 5th edition.
In addition to purchasing the textbook, you will also need to purchase the associated online support materials (http://www.pearson.com/mylab). Reading assignments, homework, and additional material will be located through that platform in addition to the materials posted on canvas.
You will also need to use the R programming language. You can find information on how to use and download R and R studio from http://www.r-project.org and http://www.rstudio.com.
Lectures will be based upon concepts from these materials supplemented with other materials provided via Canvas or online resources. Reading the book will help you prepare to fully participate in class discussions and in your written work. Additional information will be posted on the class link at http://canvas.ou.edu.
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Grades
Breakdown
The final grade will be calculated based on the following points:
| Class Participation | 160 points (10 points per discussion) |
| Homework / Quizzes | 375 points (25 points per week; consists of book-based and computer-based assignments) |
| Term Project | 215 points |
| Final Exam | 250 points (2 parts at 125 points each) |
Scale
Points necessary to earn a given final grade will be no higher than the following (i.e., a curve may be applied at the end of the semester to raise grades, but not to lower them):
| A | 900 |
| B | 800 |
| C | 700 |
| D | 600 |
| F | < 600 |
Course Components
Participation
Students should be prepared to participate actively in discussions. Class participation will be dependent upon regular participation in and contribution to class discussions (including an ability to identify and present significant points of readings and an ability to discuss the applied material using an informed and researched argument). There will be a weekly discussion of new content worth 10 points each (160 points total). Students are expected to participate in the online discussion or review the recorded video and prepare a brief summary.
Homework / Quizzes
Homework assignments will be associated with new content each week. Students should complete the assigned readings and view the posted videos prior to completing the homework assignment. Each homework assignment will be completed online and is worth 20 points. There will be an assignment each week, with the exception of the last week in the semester. Homework assignments must be completed prior to 11:59 PM (Central) on Sunday of the weeks they are due. Late submissions will receive a deduction of 50% if they are turned in no later than one week late.
Term Project
The term project will consist of a statistical analysis of data. The dataset can be either one of the sample data sets posted on Canvas or a dataset of your own with prior approval.
Each term Project will have the following sections:
- Abstract
A short (no more than 250 words) summary of your data and the key findings.
- Introduction
Three pages (or so) providing some context and background for your data and analysis.
This should include a brief summary/justification for the significance of your dataset upon the scientific literature (e.g., you need at least 4-5 refereed scientific sources providing some scientific context for your work).
- Data
A one page summary of your dataset.
- Results and Analysis
This will include your summary of your statistical summaries and analysis. This will be a subset of the work you actually completed and is intended to show the interesting highlights of the results you have found. You will need to include descriptive and inferential statistics. There is no set number of pages of graphs, but I will expect to see at least 10-15 summaries to inferential tests as well as descriptive and qualitative analyses. You should expect to perform at least 30 hypothesis tests and include the results from the 10-15 of them that you find most statistically significant. This must include examples all of the tests that we discussed in class (e.g., one sample T-test, independent sample T-test, paired T-test, Chi sq test, ANOVA, multiple regression and proportional tests) as well as the descriptive analyses we reviewed this semester (box plots, bar charts, etc.). This section will consist mostly of graphs, charts, tests, etc., so you may have 15 pages of graphs, etc., and only a few pages of text.
- Conclusions/Summary
One page highlighting your key findings and providing an overall summary regarding lessons learned and how you might do things differently if you had the opportunity to do things over, and you how might proceed if you were to expand on the project in the future.
- Bibliography
A listing of all of the refereed materials you cited in the paper. Please use standard APA formatting.
NOTE: While you can work together to collect, process, understand, and analyze the data, each person must turn in his/her own report. Thus, the types and number of graphs, types, and the number of statistical tests, a summary of qualitative analysis, etc. must be different for each individual.
NOTE: Try to use as many different types of statistical tests, charts, and analysis as you can to illustrate that you understand and use the range of techniques we have learned this semester.
Students will post projects to the class website in PDF format by the due date specified in this syllabus, subject to revision notices posted on the class website. Scores for late work submitted no later than one week late will be reduced by 50% unless prior arrangement with confirmation has been made with the instructor.
Exams
There will be a final comprehensive exam at the end of the semester. The exam will consist of two parts, a comprehensive exam covering material from the book, and a computer-based exam in which you will be required to perform different types of statistical analysis. The final online Zoom class will be devoted to reviewing for the exam; students should come prepared with questions to address during the discussion. The book-based exam will be available starting at noon on the final Friday of the semester and will be due that Sunday at 11:59 PM (Central Time). Students will have two hours to complete the book-based exam and only one attempt. The exam is open-book, but preparation is essential in being able to complete the exam in the allotted time.
Course Policies
Communication
The best way to reach me is via email to jgreene@ou.edu. I will respond within 24 hours. Since most homework assignments are due Sunday evening, I will check my email Sunday afternoon for any last-minute help. However, for questions related to an upcoming exam or assignment due date, do not wait until right before the deadline to email me, as there is usually a higher volume of email from this and other courses I teach. You can also call me at 405-325-4319, although I will not respond as quickly as email.
Late Policy
Assignments turned in after due dates will receive a deduction of 50%, unless prior arrangement has been made with me. If an assignment is missed, it must be turned in within one week of the deadline to receive partial credit. No extensions are granted for exams without prior arrangement with me.
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
ACADEMIC POLICIES AND STUDENT SUPPORT
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalogue.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Academic Misconduct
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding of the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.
Students with disabilities must be registered with the Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.
If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Graduate Student Handbook or get in touch with the Disability Resource Center.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Title IX Resources
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no-contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office 405-325-2215 (8-5, M-F) or OU Advocates 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident.
Religious Holidays
It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays without penalty. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.
Copyright Policy
It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or his/her authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user’s access to some or all of the university’s computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.
Registration and Withdrawal
If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.
Student Grievances
In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.
Course Summary:
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