Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Statistics in Psychology (Face-to-Face)

PSY 3010-02

Course: PSY 3010-02
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PSY
CRN: 30750

Course Description

A presentation of statistical concepts of particular relevance to psychologists. Topics include descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, t-tests, ANOVA, correlation, regression, and Chi-square. Students should consider taking this course early in their program of study, as it is a prerequisite for the Methods Courses required for the major. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): PSY 3015 Prerequisite(s): PSY 1010 and PSY 2010 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C- Can the prerequisite(s) be taken concurrently? Yes (PSY 2010) Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

*Privitera, G. J. (2023). Statistics for the behavioral sciences (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
ISBN: 978-1544362816

Learning Outcomes

(For SUU Definitions see: https://www.suu.edu/academics/provost/pdf/elo-definitions.pdf): 

A. Inquiry & Analysis
*Create testable hypotheses 
*Collect data in a manner that addresses the proposed hypotheses

B. Critical Thinking
*Identify the limitations and strengths of various statistical analyses
*Evaluate the accuracy of statistical claims made by others
*Apply the correct statistical analyses to various research design scenarios

C. Quantitative Literacy
*Apply appropriate formulas and statistical calculations to various data sets
*Present results of data analyses in an appropriate format
*Communicate to others statistical ideas, concepts, and tests
*Test hypotheses and draw conclusions using statistical analyses

D. Problem Solving
*Design studies to address psychological questions

Course Requirements

Exams (60%/15% Each)
Four exams will be given as indicated on the Semester Calendar section of the syllabus. Each of the first three exams will be non-comprehensive and will only include material covered since the previous exam. The final exam will be cumulative and will include both the new material covered as well as the previously tested information. Exams will consist of a take-home portion and a timed, in-class portion. Items for the take-home portion of the class will involve calculations and short-answer questions. Items for the timed, in-class portion will be multiple choice and true/false questions. Typically the take-home portion will be worked on over a few day period, and the timed, in-class portion will be limited to 50 minutes of time on a designated exam day for Exams 1-3 and 1 hour and 50 minutes for the Final Exam. More details will be provided prior to the first exam. 

Homework (28%/4% Each)
A total of seven homework assignments will be given throughout the semester as indicated on the Semester Calendar. Homework assignments will consist of a combination of conceptual and computational problems and will mainly from the textbook. More specific details on each assignment will be provided throughout the semester. 

In-Class Activities (ICAs; 12%)
A number of in-class activities will be given throughout the duration of the course. Activities will involve items such as calculations, written responses, and general discussion responses. These activities will usually be unannounced. Meaningful participation in these activities will generally serve to (hopefully) increase one’s interest in the topic and to boost one’s overall grade. Missing only a few days of in-class activities during the course of the semester, should not have a huge impact on a student’s overall final grade. At the end of the semester, if you missed an in-class activity, I will drop one of your missed in-class activity days. If you did not miss any in-class activities, you will receive one day as a bonus. 

Course Outline

Introduction & Syllabus
Introduction to Statistics & Research Design (cont.)
Introduction to Statistics & Research Design (cont.)
Introduction to Statistics & Research Design (cont.)
Summarizing Data in Visual Displays
Summarizing Data in Visual Displays (cont.)
Central Tendency
Central Tendency (cont.)
Variability
Variability (cont.)
Variability (cont.)
EXAM #1—Timed (50 min.) in-class portion
Probability
Probability (cont.)
The Normal Distribution & z-scores
The Normal Distribution & z-scores (cont.)
The Normal Distribution & z-scores (cont.)
Sampling & the Distribution of Sample Means (a.k.a., Sample Distribution)
Sampling & the Distribution of Sample Means (cont.)
Intro. to Hypothesis Testing
Intro. to Hypothesis Testing (cont.)
Wrap-up Hypothesis Testing (cont.)
EXAM #2—Timed (50 min.) in-class portion
Effect size, Power, & Confidence Intervals
Single-sample t-test
Single-sample t-test (cont.)
Independent Samples t-test
Independent Samples t-test (cont.)
Independent Samples t-test (cont.)
Independent Samples t-test (cont.)
Related Samples t-test
Related Samples t-test (cont.)
Wrap-up Types of t-tests
1-Way between-participants ANOVA
EXAM #3—Timed (50 min.) in-class portion
ANOVA Variations
ANOVA Variations (cont.)
Correlation
FINAL EXAM/EXAM #4—Timed in-class portion

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late Work
(Optional) Each student may receive one late turned in HW assignment (without explanation or advance notice) during the semester turned in no later than one week after the due date. However, this one late assignment will still receive a 25 point deduction (rather than a score of a 0). If you want to make use of this policy, please write “Late Assignment” at the top of the homework assignment that you choose to turn in late.

Other than the optional late assignment (above), no late work will be accepted unless discussed with me and approved by me 24 hours before the assignment’s deadline. 

No late work or extra credit will be accepted during final exam week regardless of the reason.

Attendance Policy

Attendance
Formal attendance will not be taken in class. However, whenever possible, attendance will generally help a student to do well in the course. 

If a class is missed, review all the material for that day on Canvas as it will help answer most questions. However, please feel free to contact me or the Teaching Assistant for this class whenever it is needed. I will post most materials on Canvas.

Talk with me in advance if you will be missing class as a function of a university-sponsored event (e.g., as an athlete) as described in SUU Policy #6.30, or if you have extenuating circumstances that will lead to an absence.

Course Fees

$12 Fee

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.