1.	ERMA 8330 
	Nonparametric Statistics
	3 Credit Hours
	Prerequisite:  ERMA 7300 Design and Analysis in Education I

2.	Spring Semester 2014
	Meeting Time:  	Thursdays 4:00 to 6:50
	Room:		Haley 
	Instructor:	Margaret E. Ross
			4018 Haley Center
			(334) 844-3084	rossma1@mail.auburn.edu   (the first 1 = one)
	Office Hours:	Tuesday and Thursday 1: 30 to 4:00  or by appointment

3.	Suggested Resources

Seigel, Sidney & Castellan, Jr, N. John  (1988).  Nonparametric Statistic s for the Behavioral Sciences, 2nd Ed.,	McGraw-Hill Book Company (copied by permission).

4.	Course Description
This course is designed to provide students the understanding of nonparametric statistical methods pertaining to design and analysis in educational research. Parametric statistics will be reviewed and parallel nonparametric statistics will be compared to the characteristics and uses of the parametric statistics.  This course emphasizes the conceptual understanding and application as well as calculations of nonparametric statistics.

5.	Course Objectives

Students will:

•	Gain an understanding of nonparametric statistical procedures.
•	Apply knowledge of nonparametric statistics by analyzing research problems and making decisions about the appropriate use of nonparametric procedures.
•	Apply knowledge of nonparametric statistics using SPSS and/or hand calculations to determine significance.
•	Apply knowledge of inferential statistics by interpreting results of statistical analyses.
•	Interpret the results of the analyses in terms of the research hypothesis.

6.	Tentative Course Content and Schedule

Class 1 	1/9/14
Introduction to the Course/ Overview of Nonparametric Uses		

Class 2   1/16/14
One sample nonparametric tests for nominal or categorical data
Lab
Article

Class 3   /23/14
Questionnaire
Related two-sample nonparametric tests for nominal or categorical data
Lab
Article

Class 4   1/30/14
Independent two-sample nonparametric tests for nominal or categorical data
Lab
Article

Class 5   2/6/14
Related k-sample nonparametric tests for nominal or categorical data
Lab
Article

 (EERA conference)

Class 6   2/13/14
Questionnaire
One sample tests for ordinal and interval data
Lab
Article

1/20/14 No Class - EERA

Class 7   2/27/14
Related two-sample nonparametric tests for ordinal and interval data
Lab
Article

Class 8   3/6/14
Independent two-sample nonparametric tests for ordinal and interval data
Lab
Article

3/13/14 No Class – Spring Break

Class 9   3/20/14
Questionnaire
For Grade of A:
Proposal discussion (design)
Rubrics for proposal distributed
Proposal development (in-class)	

Class 10   3/27/14
Independent k-sample nonparametric tests for ordinal data
Preparation for teaching a non-parametric statistic and presentation of literature in which the statistic was used (need activity)
Lab
Article

4/3/14 No class – AERA

Class 11	  4/10/14
Measures of Association
Preparation for teaching a non-parametric statistic and presentation of literature in which the statistic was used (need activity)
Final Paper due next class

Class 12  4/17/14
Questionnaire
Presentations
For grade of A:
Peer Reviews of Final Papers
Revisions of Final Papers (in-class)
Turn in Final Paper

Class 13   4/24/14
Presentations

Class 14  (to be discussed)
For grade A:  Roundtable Sessions

7.	Course Requirements/Evaluation

Learning Methods
Lectures, discussions, readings, class exercises and lab assignments.

You will contract for a grade of A or B
Grade of A
•	Earn a grade of B as described below
•	Complete an individual, presentable or publishable paper (in my opinion as an editor)
•	Use APA style writing
•	I will provide rubrics.  However, I cannot provide examples of results sections  for each statistic covered in class.  If you complete a project it will be your responsibility to find articles to use as models in writing your paper.  Note, most published articles are NOT APA though most journals do require the submission be APA.
Grade of B
•	Attend class to complete all in-class knowledge questionnaires and assignments with 80% or better accuracy
•	Turn in questionnaire/assignment(s) during class
•	This will necessitate that you are here at the time each questionnaire or assignment is handed out  or described.  Participation is required for points.

Grade Below B is possible (e.g. failure to earn 80% of in-class points due to absence or tardiness)
	Grade of C = 70 to7 9 percent earned class points
	Grade of D = 60 to 69 percent earned class points
	Grade of F = below 60% earned class points

Attendance
Points are not attached to attendance directly.  However, excellent class attendance is required to enough earn in-class points for an A or B.  If you need to be absent for school or work-related requirements, illness, or an emergency, you are allowed to make up points for no more than two classes.  The student is responsible for initiating arrangements for missed work.

Project and  Presentation 
The following is the outline that will be used for this assignment. You will present the research in round table session format and turn in your accompanying paper (9 to 12 pages). 

Introduction (no more than  2 to 3 pages)
A.   Statement of Problem 
B.   Significance of problem (based on literature review) 
C.	Specific research questions to be answered or hypotheses to be tested. 
     	1.    Are they clearly stated?
2.	Are they feasible/legitimate?

Methodology 
A.  Full description of participants 
B.  Measures (including validity and reliability if appropriate)
C.  Procedures (detailed description of what you did – step by step)  
D.  Data processing and analysis (how will you analyze the data and why)? 

Results  
A. Are all appropriate statistics clearly stated in APA style?
B. Are tables or graphs appropriately used?

Discussion 
	A.  Results in words
	B.  Results in light of literature
	C.  Limitations
	F.  Future research

A more detailed rubric will be handed out closer to the time the proposal and presentation are due.
The paper is to be written in APA style.

8.	Class Policy Statements

Class Attendance (see attendance requirements under section 7 above)

Incompletes and Withdrawals   
Grades associated with incomplete course work or withdrawal from class will be assigned in strict conformity to University policy (see Auburn University Bulletin).  If you wish to drop this course you may do so by the 10th class day with no grade assignment. From the 10th class day to mid-quarter a W (withdrawn-passing) grade will be recorded in your transcripts. After this period withdrawal from the course will only be granted under unusual circumstances and must be approved by the Dean of the College of Education.

Academic Misconduct 
The Department of EFLT recognizes university policy regarding academic misconduct. Violations include, but are not limited to: plagiarism, unauthorized assistance during examinations, submitting another’s work product as your own, using another’s words as your own without appropriate citation, sharing unauthorized materials with another that contain questions or answers to examinations, altering or attempting to alter assigned grades. In accordance with University policy regarding academic misconduct, students may be subject to several sanctions upon violations of the Student Academic Honesty Code. See the Tiger Cub publication for the current year for specifics regarding academic misconduct as well as student’s rights and responsibilities associated with the Code.

Disability Accommodations 
Students who need accommodations are asked to arrange a meeting with me as soon as possible.  If you have a conflict with my office hours, an alternate time can be arranged.  To set up this meeting, please contact me by e-mail.  Bring a copy of your Accommodation Memo and an Instructor Verification Form to the meeting.  If you do not have an Accommodation Memo but need accommodations, make an appointment with The Program for Students with Disabilities, 1244 Haley Center, 844-2096.