PA 5309: Fundamentals of Quantitative Reasoning

Fall Semester 2006

GR. 3.402
Wednesday 7:00 – 9:45 pm
Instructor: Yoonhwan Park
Office: GR 3.318
Office Phone: 972-883-4757
Email: yhpark@student.utdallas.edu
Homepage: http://www.utdallas.edu/~yhpark
Office Hours: Wednesday 4:30 - 6:30 pm or by appointment

Overview: This course introduces students to the basic tools of quantitative research and
shows how they are used in the analysis of social science data. A fundamental
understanding of these tools is a critical foundation for public administration. The course
covers algebra, data presentation, descriptive statistics, probabilities, and statistical
inference. Particularly, the course focuses more on statistical inference by dealing with
sampling theory, confidence intervals, hypothesis tests and the basics of regression
analysis. A statistical software (STATA) is used throughout the course, both in class and
for problem sets.

Course Objective: The objective of this course is to provide students with a quantitative
and statistical foundation that can be used in future graduate courses, as well as in their
applied work environments.

Texts and Readings:

Mendenhall, Beaver, and Beaver, Introduction to Probability and Statistics, 12th ed.
(Duxbury Press, 2005) ISBN: 0534418708
z The 11th edition is absolutely OK as well.

The following book is recommended for the course will be of interest for who have
not been exposed to Statistics for long time.

Kranzler, John H. Statistics for the Terrified, 3rd ed. (Prentice Hall, 2002) ISBN:
0130983403

STATA: Most data analysis in the class will be done using Stata, version 9.0, a software
package. You do not need to buy STATA. It is installed in the computer Labs (GR 3.206
and GR 3.602) in Green Building. However, if you want to install STATA in your
computer in order to continue your statistical and methodological education in the School
of Social Sciences, a special discounted version will be available to students. You may
purchase your own copy for home/office use under UTD’s “GradPlan” arrangement with
Stata, which affords you a significant discount on your purchase. For information, and to
order, visit http://www.stata.com/order/new/edu/gradplans/gp-direct.html. Either “Small
Stata” or “Intercooled Stata” will meet the needs of this course.

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Grading and Requirements:

Problem Sets: Problem sets are essential to student’s success in this class. Thus, there will
be relatively short problem sets due at the beginning of classes. Except in unusual
circumstances, late problem sets will not be accepted because the correct timing of the
work is important in the learning process and because the answers will be discussed in
class. However, the lowest problem set grade will be dropped, allowing the student some
flexibility.

Tests: There will be two midterm examinations and one comprehensive final
examination. The dates are indicated on the schedule below. (*No make-up exam*) All
tests are open-book, open-note. A calculator is a virtual necessity, hopefully one with
which you are familiar. Laptop computers are not permitted.

Grade: The following represents the overall course average.

A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
F = 0-69

In determining the course average, assignments will be weighted as follows:

Attendance (Bonus Credit) 5 percent

Problem Sets (Highest 5 of 6) 25 percent
Midterm 1 25 percent
Midterm 2 25 percent
Final 25 percent

Ground Rules for the Course

No “late assignment”! No “Make-up Exam”!: The delayed problem sets are not allowed
in this course because they will be discussed in the class. Please hand in your homework
on time. Besides, you have to make sure that there is no make-up exam in this course.

Attendance: Attendance is entirely optional. But, you are eligible to get an extra bonus
credit by attending every class. Having said that, the material covered in the lectures is
essential to passing the course. You are responsible for all material covered in the
lectures whether or not it is in the textbook. You are also responsible for all
announcements made in class, whether or not you attend. Thus, the best policy is to
attend every class. If you have to miss a class, due to illness or other unavoidable
conflict, try to borrow a fellow student’s notes.

Study Groups: Study groups are permitted and encouraged to work on the problem sets
together. However, each individual student should write up his or her own answer to hand
in, based on his or her own understanding of the material.

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Policy on Scholastic Dishonesty: Students who violate University rules on scholastic
dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the
course and/or dismissal from the University. Since such actions harm the individual,
other students, and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will
be strictly enforced.

COURSE SCHEDULE

1. Aug. 23 Introduction. Class Structure. Discussion of Course Content.

Entry Quiz
2. Aug. 30 Algebra concepts
Describing Data
Ch. 1, 2
3. Sep. 6 Presenting Data: Tables and Graphs
Ch. 3
# Problem Set 1 due
4. Sep. 13 Probability Theory
Ch. 4
5. Sep. 20 Random Variables and Probability Distributions
Ch. 5, 6
# Problem Set 2 due
6. Sep. 27 Midterm Exam 1
Open book, open note. Bring a calculator!
7. Oct. 4 Sampling Theory
Ch. 7
8. Oct. 11 Point and Interval Estimates
Ch. 8
# Problem Set 3 due
9. Oct. 18 Hypothesis Testing with Large Samples
Ch. 9
10. Oct. 25 Hypothesis Testing with Small Samples
Ch. 10
# Problem Set 4 due
11. Nov. 1 Midterm Exam 2
Open book, open note. Bring a calculator
12. Nov. 8 Hypothesis Testing for Variances and ANOVA
Ch. 11
13. Nov. 15 Analysis of Categorical Data
Ch. 14
# Problem Set 5 due
14. Nov. 22 Regression analysis
Ch. 12, 15
15. Nov. 29 # Problem Set 6 due

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 Final Comprehensive Exam
Open book, open note. Bring a calculator!

** Due to the nature of quantitative courses, this Schedule may change. If changes are
made, they will be announced in class**