STAT-592 Introduction to SPSS (1 credit)

South Dakota State University
(Summer 2008 Internet)

Course Meeting Time and Location: July 21, 2008-Aug. 22, 2008, Internet (D2L delivered)

Contact Information:
 

Instructor: Dr. Weiming Ke

Office location: Harding Hall, Room 122

Office Hours: Monday 8:30-11:30 AM or by Appointment

Office phone number: (605) 688-6877

Email address: weiming.ke@sdstate.edu

Course Description:
 

This course will introduce how to create dataset in SPSS, how to transfer available dataset from Microsoft Excel and text file into SPSS, how to manipulate and manage data in SPSS, and how to use some basic statistical tools to describe data in SPSS. 1 credits.

Prerequisite: None.

Course Content:
               

1. Introduction to SPSS for Windows
2. Data Structures for SPSS
3. Creating Data File Using SPSS Data Editor
4. Transferring Data from Microsoft Excel to SPSS
5. Importing Data from Word into SPSS
6. Importing Data from Access into SPSS
7. Importing Data from an ASCII Text File into SPSS
8. Data Manipulation and Management
9. Descriptive Statistics: Minimum, Maximum, Mean, Standard Deviation, Frequency Tables and Charts
10. Graphs: Histograms, Box plots, Scatter Plots
11. Introduction to Syntex Editor of SPSS
 

Description of Instructional Methods:

You should read the online materials and do the homework for practice on a computer with SPSS software installed. Homework is not collected or graded. Submit your final test as an attachment to an internal D2L e-mail. If you have any questions, compose a discussion message. If you can answer someone's questions, please do so, it will help you to learn. If you do not want others to see your questions, use the internal D2L e-mail.

Course Requirements:

1. Required textbook: No required textbook for this course. Recommended reference book is “SPSS for Windows Step-by-Step: A Simple Guide and Reference, 15.0 Update, 8th Edition”. Other editions of the book are also good references.

2. Required technology:  Access to a computer with internet and SPSS software is needed for this course.

3. Technology support: For assistance with technology problems or access to D2L, contact the Help Desk at 605-688-6776.

4. Class attendance policy: Login to the class at least one time a week to read the online materials and do homework for practice.

5. Academic honesty policy: The instructor abides by the policies endorsed by the SDSU administration. See SDSU Conduct Code 01:10:25 at http://studentaffairs.sdstate.edu/JudicialAffairs/StudentCode/Chapter10.pdf

6. Make-up policy: Tests should be submitted before the due dates. If there is an emergency please contact the instructor to make the necessary arrangements for adjusting the due dates.

Course Goals:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate an ability to use SPSS software to handle data and perform basic description of the data.

How to Submit Test:

Test should be submitted as an attachment to an internal D2L email.

Evaluation Procedures:

Assessments: Final exam will be evaluated and contributed to the grade.

Grading Policy: Grade for Final Exam → 100 PTS

Grading Scale: 90-100 → A, 80-89 → B, 70-79 → C,  60-69 → D,  0-59 → F

Tentative Exam Due Date:  Final Exam: August 22, 2008

Disability Policy:

Any student needing accommodations based on the impact of a disability should contact Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks, Coordinator of Disability Services, to develop an accommodation plan. She can be reached by phone at 605-688-4504 or by e-mail at Nancy.Crooks@sdstate.edu, or at the office in Wintrode Student Success Center 125. Please discuss your needs with the instructor as well.

Freedom in Learning:

Under Board of Regents and University policy student academic performance may be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards. Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled. Student who believes that an academic evaluation reflects prejudiced or capricious consideration of student opinions or conduct unrelated to academic standards should first contact the instructor of the course to initiate a review of the evaluation. If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may contact the department head and/ or dean of the college which offers the class to initiate a review of the evaluation.