Unit name | Educational Statistics |
---|---|
Unit code | EDUC30035 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | H/6 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
Unit director | Professor. Leckie |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Education |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Understanding how to use, present and analyse data, select the right statistical test, interpret the results correctly and communicate findings honestly and effectively are essential tools in social science, policy research and also in business and commerce.
The aim of this unit is to:
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
Lectures, seminars and practical classes
Formative:
In class practical assignments
Summative:
ILO 1-4: An assignment (2000 words). Students will be provided with several SPSS datasets and will be asked to address a different research question on each dataset. Students will be required to identify and conduct in SPSS appropriate descriptive statistics, graphs, and statistical tests to address each research question. Students will then have to report their statistical output following academic conventions, interpret their findings, reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of their analyses, and suggest potential improvements. (100%)”
Best J, 2012, Damned Lies and Statistics: Untangling Numbers from the Media, Politicians, and Activists (Updated edition). Ewing, NJ: University of California Press.
Dilnot A, Blastland M, 2008, The Tiger That Isn't: Seeing Through a World of Numbers (expanded edition). London: Profile Books.
Elliott J, Marsh C, 2008, Exploring Data: An Introduction to Data Analysis for Social Scientists. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Frankfort-Nachmias C, Leon-Guererro A, 2014, Social Statistics for a Diverse Society. London: Sage.
Hand DJ, 2008, Statistics: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Huff D, 1991, How to Lie with Statistics (new edition). London: Penguin.
Rogers S, 2013, Facts are Sacred. London: Faber & Faber