MEMORANDUM

To: PS 585 (Intro. to Research Methods) Students
From: Instructor Ray Block, Jr.
Date: Fall, 2003
Re: Final Exam Review
 

Preparing for the Final

Alas, the dreaded final is approaching.  But have no fear.  While it is a big exam (worth 25 points), I am sure that you will find it to be a very reasonable test.  As noted, the final is cumulative, meaning that it will so the stuff you learned up to this point will come into play when you answer the questions.  

What the Exam will Look Like: The final examination will consist of five sections.  In one of the sections, you will be asked to define vocabulary terms and possibly compare different terms to one another.  Another section will cover variables and their level(s) of measurement.  A third section will be ask you to write short answer responses to issues related to research design.  Each section will be worth five (5) points, and the midterm is worth 15 total points.  

What you should Study For: Below is a brief outline of 1) things you should know for the midterm, and 2) where in your notes/textbook to find this information.  And remember, there are two key tips for doing well on this exam.  First, make sure that you answer every part of the question.  Second, this exam will test how well you apply the things you’ve learned and not how good you are at regurgitating information.    

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW  
 WHERE TO FIND THAT INFORMATION
Section VI: The Logic of Statistics  
  • Know the difference between descriptive statistics and inferential statistics
  • Know the general logic behind testing hypothesis
  • Lecture: What is/are Statistics?
    • Gonick, Chapter 1
  • Lecture: Probability
    • Gonick, Chapter 3
  • Lecture: The Normal Curve
    • Gonick, Chapter 5
  • Lecture: Sampling
    • Gonick, Chapter 6
  • Lecture: Confidence Intervals
    • Gonick, Chapter 7
  • Lecture: Hypothesis Testing
    • Gonick, Chapter 8
Section V: Univariate Data Analysis

  • Know how to compute and interpret measures of central tendency and variability
  • Field, pp. 1-6
  • Lecture: Measures of Central Tendency
  • Lecture: Measures of Variability
 Section VI: Bivariate Data Analysis
  • Know how to conduct and interpret correlational analyses
  • Know how to conduct a means difference test and interpret its results
  • Lecture: Correlation (Parts 1 and 2)
  • Field, pp. 71-75 (pay more attention to the logic and less attention to the equations)
  • Lecture: Comparing 2 Means (Parts 1 and 2)
  • Field, pp. 206-210
Section VII: Multivariate Data Analysis
  • Know the difference between the T-Test and the F-Test for comparing means
  • Know how to conduct  and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
  • Lecture: Comparing Several Means (Parts 1 and 2)
  • Field, pp. 243-257      
  • Johnson et al., pp. 363-369

When is the Final? As mentioned in your syllabus, the final exam will be held on Wednesday, December 10th 2003, from 11:30 AM to 1:18 PM, as scheduled by the university.  Please be sure to consult the university’s examination schedule and make your travel plans accordingly.

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