SOC 381L Sociological Data Analysis
Course Syllabus
Fall 2021
Instructor Dr. Kiwoong Park ()
Class Day/Time Tues/Thurs 2:00–3:15 pm
Classroom Collaborative Teaching & Learn (Room 300)
Office Hours Tues/Thurs 3:30 – 4:30 pm,
or by appointment (Social Science 1068)
Lab Instructor Drew Medaris ()
Lab Class Day/Time Wed 12:00-12:50 pm
Lab Classroom Dane Smith Hall (Room 141)
Office Hours Thurs 10:00-11:00 am (via zoom)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to introduce a range of statistical methods to students in the social sciences,
particularly in sociology. Statistics are the important tools we use to summarize, describe, and
understand the world around us. Knowing the logic and calculations behind the numbers shown in
newspaper articles, government reports, and scientific research will make you a better informed
and critical consumer of statistical analyses. In the long run, understanding statistics and how they
are used and misused will facilitate your career development whether in academia, industry or
wherever life takes you.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The goal of this course is to help you use appropriate statistical techniques to describe data and
draw conclusions from data. Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
(1) produce basic descriptive and inferential statistics with SPSS software
(2) interpret the results of various inferential tests
(3) identify the limitations of inferential statistics
(4) apply the statistics to answer real-world questions.
REQUIRED RESOURCES
1. IBM SPSS Statistics Standard Grad Pack 28 (or 27, 26)
Students will use the statistical software SPSS. All course topics will first be learned and
implemented without SPSS, and then will be applied to data sets with the use of SPSS. Access and
use of SPSS software is necessary to complete assignments in this course. You have two options:
1
, (1) You can rent it (download it) from
https://studentdiscounts.com/product/ibm-spss-statistics-grad-pack-28-0-standard-6-
month-windows-or-mac-download-install-on-up-to-2-computers/ for $50 for six
months (you can install on up to 2 computers). It is available for Windows and for Mac.
Make sure that you rent “Standard Grad Pack” SPSS (version 28 or earlier) and your
computer can utilize the software.
(2) You may be able to access the SPSS free of charge over Lobo Virtual Desktop
(https://lobovirtualdesktop.unm.edu/). Lobo Virtual Desktop (or Windows Virtual
Desktop, WVD) is “a technology that allows you to securely access UNM desktop
applications from your own, personal device without actually installing the apps or
investing in specialized hardware. You can access applications anywhere you have internet
connectivity (home, dorm, coffee shop).” When using the virtual desktop, you may find
SPSS software previous version, which is fine, but working over the remote desktop
client is slow unless you have a high-speed internet connection.
Students need a reliable computer that meets the requirements for SPSS use (and/or Lobo virtual
desktop). It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that you have access to SPSS program
throughout the semester.
2. Calculator
A calculator is also required for the course. Computers/Tablets are not permitted as calculators
during exams. Cellphones can never be used as calculators.
3. Lecture Outline
Students are expected to either print out lecture outlines prior to class or bring a laptop with the
lecture outlines downloaded. This is necessary to make the lecture portion of the class more
efficient. I will make every attempt to have the lecture outlines posted to the UNM Learn course
website at least 24 hours prior to lecture.
4. Readings
Throughout the semester a few (3-4) journal articles and periodicals (3-4) will be assigned as
readings. These readings will be posted on UNM Learn and material from these readings will be on
tests. It is recommended that you print these readings out. The dates of these readings will be
announced in class.
Recommended resources
• Frankfort-Nachmias, Chava, Anna Leon-Guerrero, and Georgiann Davis. Social Statistics
for A Diverse Society. Sage. 2020. 9th edition.
- You can use previous versions of textbook (6th, 7th, and 8th). However, chapters,
section numbers, and page numbers may differ. Used, less expensive copies are
available on-line.
• Computer
- A high-speed Internet connection is highly recommended.
- Any computer capable of running a recently updated web browser should be
sufficient to access your online course. However, bear in mind that processor
speed, amount of RAM and Internet connection speed can greatly affect
performance.
2
Course Syllabus
Fall 2021
Instructor Dr. Kiwoong Park ()
Class Day/Time Tues/Thurs 2:00–3:15 pm
Classroom Collaborative Teaching & Learn (Room 300)
Office Hours Tues/Thurs 3:30 – 4:30 pm,
or by appointment (Social Science 1068)
Lab Instructor Drew Medaris ()
Lab Class Day/Time Wed 12:00-12:50 pm
Lab Classroom Dane Smith Hall (Room 141)
Office Hours Thurs 10:00-11:00 am (via zoom)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to introduce a range of statistical methods to students in the social sciences,
particularly in sociology. Statistics are the important tools we use to summarize, describe, and
understand the world around us. Knowing the logic and calculations behind the numbers shown in
newspaper articles, government reports, and scientific research will make you a better informed
and critical consumer of statistical analyses. In the long run, understanding statistics and how they
are used and misused will facilitate your career development whether in academia, industry or
wherever life takes you.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The goal of this course is to help you use appropriate statistical techniques to describe data and
draw conclusions from data. Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
(1) produce basic descriptive and inferential statistics with SPSS software
(2) interpret the results of various inferential tests
(3) identify the limitations of inferential statistics
(4) apply the statistics to answer real-world questions.
REQUIRED RESOURCES
1. IBM SPSS Statistics Standard Grad Pack 28 (or 27, 26)
Students will use the statistical software SPSS. All course topics will first be learned and
implemented without SPSS, and then will be applied to data sets with the use of SPSS. Access and
use of SPSS software is necessary to complete assignments in this course. You have two options:
1
, (1) You can rent it (download it) from
https://studentdiscounts.com/product/ibm-spss-statistics-grad-pack-28-0-standard-6-
month-windows-or-mac-download-install-on-up-to-2-computers/ for $50 for six
months (you can install on up to 2 computers). It is available for Windows and for Mac.
Make sure that you rent “Standard Grad Pack” SPSS (version 28 or earlier) and your
computer can utilize the software.
(2) You may be able to access the SPSS free of charge over Lobo Virtual Desktop
(https://lobovirtualdesktop.unm.edu/). Lobo Virtual Desktop (or Windows Virtual
Desktop, WVD) is “a technology that allows you to securely access UNM desktop
applications from your own, personal device without actually installing the apps or
investing in specialized hardware. You can access applications anywhere you have internet
connectivity (home, dorm, coffee shop).” When using the virtual desktop, you may find
SPSS software previous version, which is fine, but working over the remote desktop
client is slow unless you have a high-speed internet connection.
Students need a reliable computer that meets the requirements for SPSS use (and/or Lobo virtual
desktop). It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that you have access to SPSS program
throughout the semester.
2. Calculator
A calculator is also required for the course. Computers/Tablets are not permitted as calculators
during exams. Cellphones can never be used as calculators.
3. Lecture Outline
Students are expected to either print out lecture outlines prior to class or bring a laptop with the
lecture outlines downloaded. This is necessary to make the lecture portion of the class more
efficient. I will make every attempt to have the lecture outlines posted to the UNM Learn course
website at least 24 hours prior to lecture.
4. Readings
Throughout the semester a few (3-4) journal articles and periodicals (3-4) will be assigned as
readings. These readings will be posted on UNM Learn and material from these readings will be on
tests. It is recommended that you print these readings out. The dates of these readings will be
announced in class.
Recommended resources
• Frankfort-Nachmias, Chava, Anna Leon-Guerrero, and Georgiann Davis. Social Statistics
for A Diverse Society. Sage. 2020. 9th edition.
- You can use previous versions of textbook (6th, 7th, and 8th). However, chapters,
section numbers, and page numbers may differ. Used, less expensive copies are
available on-line.
• Computer
- A high-speed Internet connection is highly recommended.
- Any computer capable of running a recently updated web browser should be
sufficient to access your online course. However, bear in mind that processor
speed, amount of RAM and Internet connection speed can greatly affect
performance.
2
