Statistics in Psychology – Spring 2026 Dr.
Tricia Yurak
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E-mail: yurak@[Link]
Office: Robinson Hall, Suite 115
Office phone: (856) 256-4827
Office hours: MTWH 12:00pm to 1:00pm and by appointment
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Required textbook:
Gravetter, F.J., & Wallnau, L.B., Forzano, L.B., Witnauer, J. E. (2021) Essentials of Statistics for the Behavioral
Sciences, 10th Edition.
Other requirements:
1. A calculator that you bring with you to class every day. You may not use cell phones or smart watches as
your calculator.
2. I will regularly be posting information in Canvas regarding assignments, exams, etc., and you are responsible
for all information contained in Canvas. In the event of a class cancellation, notification also will be sent via
Canvas email. Thus, please check your Canvas announcements and email regularly.
Prerequisites:
Essentials of Psychology (PSY 01107) OR Essentials of Psychology for Pre-Health Students (PSY 01108) AND
Psychology of Scientific Thinking (PSY 01301). Students failing to meet the prerequisites will be dropped from the
course.
Course Description and Format:
This course focuses on the appropriate methods of data collection and analysis used in psychological research,
including using computer technology for data analysis. Observation, correlation, and experimental techniques are
examined. Research strategies from simple two sample designs to repeated-measures procedures are covered.
Topics include data description and hypothesis testing, correlation and regression, analysis of variance, and chi-
square. Class time will be devoted to lecture, demonstration, assignments, and exams.
Attendance:
Attendance will be taken and is expected at every class meeting. Thus, you will be responsible for all material
covered in class and any changes in the course schedule. In the event of your absence, you should acquire the
notes you miss from a fellow classmate. I will not be “re-teaching” material to students who miss class.
Scheduled absences from class:
If you are a member of a Rowan athletic team or other university-sponsored organization and will miss class due
to competitions, etc., I need a schedule of your expected absences right away. Absences due to employment or
vacation are not excused.
Assignments and class participation:
Throughout the semester you will complete several assignments either in class or out of class. The purpose of
these assignments is to promote your understanding of statistics in the research process. In-class assignments
must be completed during that specific class meeting. Thus, if you are absent for any of these assignments, you
will not be able to make up that assignment.
To benefit fully from this course, it is imperative that you think carefully about the material we discuss. Thus, I
expect each student to participate in each class throughout the semester.
Course schedule:
The course schedule outlining chapters covered and exam dates are posted in Canvas.
SPSS assignments:
You will complete a number of assignments focusing on running statistical analyses in SPSS, interpreting the
results, and writing the results in APA format. Assignments will be worth between 5 to 10 points each.
Exams:
There will be 4 exams worth 50 points each. They will begin promptly at the beginning of class and must be
completed by the end of the class period. Exams will consist of multiple choice, short answer, and computational
questions.
Missed exams:
Failure to be present for an exam will result in 0 points. If you cannot take an exam at the scheduled time, you
must:
1. Contact me at least one hour before the exam.
2. Provide official written documentation of your excuse (e.g., a note from physician that treated you).
If both of these conditions are met, the student will take a make-up exam during finals week at a mutually
agreed upon time. All make-up exams may be different from the original. If both of these conditions are not
met, a grade of 0 will remain for the missed exam.
Course etiquette:
• No picture-taking with cell phones or tablets are permitted.
• Turn off cell phone ringers prior to class and put them in your bookbags.
• Please do not carry on extraneous conversations with classmates.
• Be on time. Coming to class late or leaving early is disruptive and disrespectful to the rest of us.
Academic Integrity Policy:
You are responsible for understanding the Rowan University Academic Integrity Policy:
[Link] Please let me know anytime you have any
questions.
Grades:
Based on the total percentage of points you earn on the exams and SPSS assignments, you will be assigned
letter grades according to the scale below:
Percentage of total points Letter grade Percentage of total points Letter grade
93-100 A (excellent) 73-76 C (average)
90-92 A- 70-72 C-
87-89 B+ 67-69 D+
83-86 B (good) 63-66 D (below avg)
80-82 B- 60-62 D-
77-79 C+ below 60 F (failure)