Overview

Many people working in journalism, public relations and other communications fields need to be able to understand how statistics are used in order to present information and frame arguments. This course is designed for those who want to become critical consumers of statistical evidence. It emphasizes a conceptual rather than a computational approach to learning statistics. Using examples taken from popular media, the course explains how people use and abuse statistics for purposes of persuasion and influence.

Outline

There are eight units in the course.

The history of statistics, the importance of studying statistics, and the scope, structure and mechanics of the course.

Sampling procedures used to draw appropriate samples in order to make reliable and valid statements about populations; learn to evaluate the results of surveys and polls.

Introduction to experimental designs and their implications for making causal statements; recognizing elements of bias in designs.

A focus on the reliability and validity of the numbers generated in research. Making informed judgements about reported conclusions based on numbers.

The ways numbers are organized and displayed, and the importance of measures of central tendency, dispersion or variability, and “normal” distributions. Making accurate interpretations.

Relationships between measures, or variables; understand the results of multiple-variable research and the validity of related conclusions.

The language of probability, or the degree of likelihood of the occurrence of an event; the importance of probability for statistical tests of significance.

Methods for drawing formal conclusions from data, making informed judgements about the use and abuse of inferential techniques. Unit 8 summarizes the course.

Evaluation

You will be evaluated in four different ways for this course: through assignments based on the textbook exercises, essay assignments, tests, and a final examination. Each of the six exercise assignments is worth five per cent of your final grade, for a total of 30 per cent. Each of the two essay assignments is worth 10 per cent of your final grade. The first essay is due after you have finished Unit 4, and the second after you have finished Unit 8.

There are also three tests and a comprehensive final examination. The twenty-item multiple-choice tests will be sent to you by your tutor after you have finished Units 4, 6 and 8. These tests are open book, and are worth four per cent each, for a total of 12 per cent of your grade.

The final examination, worth 38 per cent of your final grade, will evaluate your knowledge of all of the materials in this course. You will have three hours in which to write the final examination. The examination is closed book, and consists of a combination of multiple-choice and short-essay questions.

To receive credit for CMNS 308, you must complete all of the assignments, achieve a grade of at least 50 percent on the Final Examination, and an overall course grade of at least a “D” (50 percent).

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbooks

Moore, David S. (2009). Statistics: Concepts and controversies (7th ed). New York: WH Freeman

Harf, James E. and Lombardi, Mark Owen (Eds.) (2009). Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Global Issues (5th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

Other materials

The course materials also include a student manual, study guide and a reading file.