SETON HALL UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
Department of Education Leadership, Management and Policy
   
Course Title:
 

Professors:
 
Statistical Methods 
ELMP 6005 
 

Kevin J. Walsh, Ed.D. 
Seton Hall University

Department of Education Leadership, Management and Policy 

422 Jubilee Hall

South Orange, NJ 07079


Office: (908) 876-3434
Email: kwalsh@wtschools.org

John W. Collins, Jr., Ed.D. 
Seton Hall University

Department of Education Leadership, Management and Policy 

422 Jubilee Hall

South Orange, NJ 07079


Office: (201) 200-3179 
Email: jcollins2@njcu.edu 

 
Office Hours:
By appointment. 
Textbook:
Witte, Robert & Witte, John. (2007) Statistics (8th ed.). New York: Wiley, Inc.

Answers Not In the Book
Catalog Description:
This is an introduction to statistical methods needed for basic data analysis in educational administration. Topics include frequency distribution, graphic representation of data, measures of central tendency, variability and linear regression/correlation.
Overview:
This is a course in statistics that is designed for students with a limited mathematical background. The purpose of this course is to provide coverage of the basic statistical methods normally found in research and work applications. The emphasis will be placed on using statistics to address real problems, not making the student memorize scores of statistical formulae. 

Many students view statistics as a mechanical way of analyzing information, asserting that if the calculations are done properly, that correct results can be routinely expected. This course will use the experience base of the entire class and move each of us forward by applying the mechanical portion of statistics to our day-to-day lives. The intent is to give students a greater awareness of how statistics can interact in our decision-making processes and help in acquiring a "gut" instinct about statistics. 

The material covered in this course will focus on the field of descriptive statistics and introduce inferential statistics (which is a follow-on course that may be needed for degree or certification requirements). Practice in class and at home will be integrated into our studies. The delivery approach will be Socratic, allowing everyone the opportunity to full immerse themselves into discussions and explanations. This approach will closely simulate our work environments and daily use of statistical information.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to-
  • Perceive the importance of statistics.
  • Distinguish between descriptive and inferential statistics.
  • Explain the two types of data.
  • Identify the two types of variables.
  • Understand frequency distributions for quantitative data
  • Apply other types of frequency distributions.
  • Describe data with graphs.
  • Describe data with averages.
  • Describe variability.
  • Understand the basics of normal distributions.
  • Describe relationship correlations (Pearson r and Spearman rho).
  • Construct a t test for: one sample, two independent samples, and two dependent samples.
  • Analyze Qualitative Data using the Chi-Square (X2) Test.
  • SPSS Computer Lab reviewing above concepts.

By design, this course will develop the following six thinking skills: 

      • knowledge
      • comprehension
      • application
      • analysis
      • synthesis 
      • evaluation

Students are expected to become proficient with the use of statistical analysis to conduct educational research for their educational administration duties and responsibilities.  Specific outcomes listed below are aligned with program objectives within the department, NCATE accreditation standards as outlined by ISTE, and the ISLLC standards for school leaders.  Skills and competencies include: 

    • Demonstrate skill in the application of statistical techniques for research and data analysis. (NCATE 1.2 [Building&District] Assessed within review exercises, journal and midterm)
    • Knowledge and understanding of:

      • 1. information sources, data collection, and data analysis strategies.
      2. the role of statistical methods in promoting student learning and professional growth.
      3. professional code of ethics in using statistics.  (NCATE 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 [Building&District] Assessed within all coursework, against professional ethical norms)

      4. current statistical approaches that support educational administration functions.  (NCATE 6.1 [Building&District] Assessed with Case Study)

    • Demonstrate capacity to assess the strengths and weaknesses of individual statistical analyses.

Course Evaluation:

  
Percentage of Grade
 
  • Class participation and end of chapter review exercises (C: A, F and H)
30%
 
  • Journal (R: A)
5%
 
  • Midterm Assessment (C: A, D, and H)
30%
 
  • Final Statistics Project (C: D and H)
35%
Disabilities Act Disclosure

 

 Under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Civil Rights Restoration Act, students at Seton Hall University who have a disability may be eligible for accommodations in this course. Should a student require such accommodations, he or she MUST self-identify at the Office for Disability Services (DSS) Room 67, Duffy Hall, provide documentation of said disability, and work with DSS to develop a plan for accommodation. The contact person is Mrs. Linda Walter at (973) 313-6003.
Additional Recommended Readings:
 
  George, D. & Mallery P. (2001). SPSS for Windows: Step by Step (10.0 update). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

George, D. & Mallery P. (2000). SPSS for Windows: Step by Step (9.0 update). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Heiman, G.W. (2000). Basic Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (3rd ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. 

Hinkle, D.E., Wiersma, W. & Jurs, S.G.  (2003) Applied Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (2nd ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Krathwohl, D. R. (1998).  Educational & social science research: An integrated approach. New York: Addison Wesley Longman, Inc.

Levin, J. & Fox, J. A. (2000). Elementary Statistics in Social Research (8th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Lowry, R. (2006). VassarStats: Web Site for Statistical Computation. Available [On-line] http://faculty.vassar.edu/~lowry/VassarStats.html  Poughkeepsie, NY: Vassar College.

SPSS® 13.0 (2005).  User’s Guide. Chicago: SPSS, Inc.

Witte, R & Witte, J., Prepared by Smith, G.S. (2001).  Student Workbook to accompany Statistics (6th ed.).  New York: Harcourt Brace & Co.