Sociology 8811: Advanced Social Statistics
Spring 2007
Lecture:
Lab 2:30pm – 4:25pm Monday, Blegen 440
Web Page: http://www.soc.umn.edu/~schofer/2007soc8811/home8811.htm
Instructor: Evan Schofer
Email: schof007@tc.umn.edu
Phone: (612) 624-4075
Office: 1127 Social Sciences
Office Hours:
Lab Instructor:
Email: chen0642@umn.edu
Office: 974 Social Sciences
Office Hours: 12:25-2:25 Mondays and by appointment
Office Phone: (612) 624-6807
Introduction
This course addresses core statistical concepts and methods necessary to conduct social science research. Topics include logistic regression analysis, event history analysis, count models (e.g., poisson regression, negative binomial models), multilevel models, and structural equation models with latent variables. The course is accompanied by a lab section which teaches application of these ideas using the statistical software package STATA.
Main Texts:
Knoke, Bohrnstedt, and Mee’s Statistics for Social Data Analysis (4th edition)
Long, J. Scott and Jeremy Freese. 2006. Regression
Models for Categorical Dependent Variables Using Stata
(Second Edition).
Box-Steffensmeier,
Janet M. and Bradford Jones.
2004. Event History
Modeling: A Guide for Social
Scientists.
Required Online
You can also access the
The password required to access the readings is: [See hard copy of syllabus for password, or contact the TA]
The Library’s password policy is as follows:
“Password protection creates a secure environment for access to copyrighted works that allows University Libraries to make materials available to students under the provisions of fair use. Limiting access to students registered in your class helps assure that materials are used only for educational purposes and minimizes any impact on the market for the original work. This restriction is essential to a good faith assertion of fair use in electronic reserves service. Distribution of this password should be limited to students enrolled in the course. Please remind your students that due to copyright restrictions they may not share the course password with anyone not enrolled in the course.”
Assignments and Evaluation
Graded Lab Assignments. Stats labs will involve hands-on activities (some of which may be completed outside the weekly lab, depending on the extent of the particular activity). Four of these assignments will be collected and graded over the course of the semester, each worth 5% of your final grade. (Total: 20% of final grade)
Papers. There are two required papers, each worth 40% of your final grade. (Total: 80% of final grade).
Papers received late will be marked down one partial grade
(i.e., and A becomes an A-, C+ becomes a C) per day past the due date. Extensions will be granted for legitimate
reasons if requested in advance – before the due date.
Your final grade will be computed based on the percentage weightings indicated. In the event of a borderline grade, I may use my discretion in adjusting grades based on course participation and effort (or lack thereof). Incompletes will not be given, except in unusual circumstances.
General Information
Check the course web site periodically. Urgent notices may be posted on the web site (e.g., if an assignment due date were to be extended). Also, the course web page will contain important information: copies of course handouts and assignments, data relevant to course assignments, etc.
Schedule & Reading
Assignments
Week 1: Regression:
Review and Advanced Topics (Jan 16, 18)
Review OLS regression (as needed): Knoke et al, Chapters 6 and 8
If you are unfamiliar with Stata, review Long and Freese, chapter 2.
Week 2: Regression / Logistic Regression (Jan 23, 25)
Knoke et al., Chapter 9, sections 9.1-9.3
Week 3: Logistic Regression (Jan 30, Feb 1)
Knoke et al., Chapter 9.4-end
Long and Freese, Chapter 4
Empirical Example: Goyette, Kimberly and Yu Xie. 1999. “Educational Expectations of Asian American Youths: Determinants and Ethnic Differences.” Sociology of Education, 72, 1:22-36. E-Reserve.
Week 4: Logistic Regression (Feb 6, 8)
Long and Freese, Chapter 6
Empirical Example:
McVeigh, Rory and Christian Smith.
1999. “Who Protests in
Week 5: Logistic Regression / Count Models (Feb 13, 15)
Start Long and Freese, Chapter 8
Week 6: Count Models (Feb 20, 22)
Finish Long and Freese, Chapter 8
Empirical Example: Haynie, Dana L. 2001. “Delinquent Peers Revisited: Does Network Structure Matter?” American Journal of Sociology, 106, 4:1013-1057. E-Reserve.
Week 7: Event History Analysis (Feb 27, Mar 1)
Box-Steffensmeier and Jones, Chapters 1 & 2
Yamaguchi,
Kazuo. 1991. Event
History Analysis.
Empirical Example: Long, J. Scott, Paul D. Allison, and Robert McGinnis. 1993. “Rank Advancement in Academic Careers: Sex Differences and the Effects of Productivity.” American Sociological Review, 58, 5:703-722. E-Reserve.
Week 8: Event History Analysis (Mar 6, 8)
Box-Steffensmeier and Jones, Chapters 3-5
-- Don’t worry if
some of the math is “over your head”.
Try to pick up as much as you can from the text.
March 8: Paper #1 Due
Week 9: (Mar 13, 15)
No new readings. Start on readings for week 10
Spring
Break. NO CLASS or
LAB.
Week 10: Event History Analysis (Mar 20, 22)
Box-Steffensmeier and Jones, Chapters 6-9, 11
-- Pay special
attention to Chapter 11
Empirical Example: Frank, David J., Ann M. Hironaka, and Evan Schofer. 2000. “The Nation State and the Natural Environment, 1900-1995.” American Sociological Review, 65 (Feb): 96-116. E-Reserve.
Week 11: Event History Analysis / Other Longitudinal
Models (if time allows)
(Mar 27, 29)
Additional readings To Be Announced, if time allows
Week 12: Other Longitudinal Models (if time allows) /
Multilevel Models (April
3, 5)
Raudenbush, Stephen W. R and Anthony S. Bryk. 2002.
“Introduction.” Chapter 1 in Hierarchical Linear Models: Applications and Data Analysis Methods.
Rabe-Hesketh, Sophia and Anders Skrondal. Multilevel and Longitudinal Modeling Using Stata.
Week 13: Multilevel Models (April 10, 12)
Tabanchick, Barbara G. and Linda S. Fidell. “Multilevel Linear
modeling.” 2007. Chapter 15 in Using Multivariate Statistics (fifth edition).
Rabe-Hesketh, Sophia and Anders Skrondal. Multilevel and Longitudinal Modeling Using Stata.
Empirical Example: Raudenbush, Stephen W. R and Anthony S. Bryk. 1988. “Methodological Advances in Analyzing the Effects of Schools and Classrooms on Student Learning. Review of Research in Education, 15:423-475. E-Reserve.
Week 14: Multilevel Models (April 17, 19)
Raudenbush, Stephen W. R and Anthony S. Bryk. 2002.
“Applications in Organizational Research.” Chapter 5 in Hierarchical Linear Models:
Applications and Data Analysis Methods.
Empirical Example: Schofer, Evan and Marion F. Gourinchas. 2001. “The Structural Contexts of Civic Engagement: Voluntary Association Membership in Comparative Perspective.” American Sociological Review, 66 (Dec): 806-828. E-Reserve.
Week 15: Structural Equation Models (April 24, 26)
Knoke et al., Chapters 11 & 12
Meyers, Lawrence S., Glenn Gamst, and A. J. Guarino. 2006.
Chapter 14 (A&B) in Applied
Multivariate Research.
April 26: Paper #2 Due
Week 16: Structural Equation Models (May 1, 3)
Empirical Example: Amato, Paul R and Julia M. Sobelowski. 2001. The Effects of Divorce and Marital Discord on Adult Children’s Psychological Wellbeing. American Sociological Review, 66,6:900-921. E-Reserve.
Optional reading:
Ullman, Jodie B. 2007.
“Structural Equation Modeling.” Chapter 14 in Tabanchick, Barbara G. and
Linda S. Fidell. 2007. Using Multivariate Statistics (fifth
edition).
GRADES: University academic achievement
is graded under two systems: A-F (with pluses and minuses) and S-N. Choice of grading system and course level
(1xxx/3xxx/4xxx) is indicated on the registration website; changes in grade
scale may not be made after the second week of the semester. Some courses may be taken under only one
system; limitations are identified in the course listings. The Department of Sociology requires A-F
registration in courses required for the major/minor. University regulations prescribe the grades
that will be reported on your transcript.
A Represents achievement that is
outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet course requirements (4.00
grade points)
A-
3.67 grade points
B+ 3.33 grade points
B Achievement significantly above the level
necessary to meet course requirements (3.00 grade points)
B-
2.67 grade points
C+ 2.33 grade points
C Achievement that meets the basic course
requirements in every respect (2.00 grade points)
C-
1.67 grade points
D+ 1.33 grade points
D Achievement worthy of credit even though
it fails to meet fully the course requirements (1.00 grade
point)
F Performance that fails to meet the basic
course requirements (0 grade points)
S Represents
achievement that is satisfactory, which is equivalent to a C- or better.
N No credit. Its use is now restricted to
students not earning an S on the S-N grade base
I Incomplete, a temporary symbol assigned
when the instructor has a "reasonable expectation" that you 1) can
successfully complete unfinished work on your own no later than one year from
the last day of classes and 2) believes that legitimate reasons exist to
justify extending the deadline for course completion. The instructor may set date conditions for
make-up work. If a course is not completed as prescribed or not made up as
agreed within the year, the I will lapse to an F if
registered on the A-F grade base or an N if registered on the S-N grade base.
W Official withdrawal from a
course after the end of the second week of the semester. You must file a course
cancellation request before the end of the sixth week of the semester to ensure
that the W, rather than the F, will be formerly entered on your record.
FINAL EXAMINATIONS (see schedule on the Calendar web site at http://onestop.umn.edu/onestop/Calendars/FinalExams.html):
You are required to take final examinations at the scheduled times. Under certain circumstances, however, you may
request final examination schedule adjustment in your college office. Instructors are obligated to schedule make-up
examinations within the final examination period for students who have three
final examinations within a 16-hour period.
Instructors also are encouraged to reschedule examinations for students
with religious objections to taking an examination on a given day. You must submit your request for an adjustment
in your schedule at least two weeks before the examination period begins. For assistance in resolving conflicts, call
the CLA Student Information Office at 625-2020. If you miss a final, an F or N is recorded.
You must obtain the instructor's permission to make up the examination. Final examinations may be rescheduled by the
instructor only through the official procedure for that purpose (as noted on
the above web page). Final examinations
may not be scheduled for the last day of class or earlier or for Study
Day. If an examination is rescheduled at
the instructor's request, and you have an examination conflict because of it,
you are entitled to be given the final examination at an alternative time within
the regularly scheduled examination period for that semester.
CLASS ATTENDANCE: As
a CLA student, you are responsible for attending class and for ascertaining the
particular attendance requirements for each class or department. You should also learn each instructor's
policies concerning make-up of work for absences. Instructors and students may consult the CLA
Classroom, Grading, and Examination Procedures Handbook for more
information on these policies (http://advisingtools.class.umn.edu/cgep/).
COURSE PERFORMANCE AND GRADING:
Instructors establish ground rules for their courses in conformity with
their department policies and are expected to explain them at the first course
meeting. This includes announcement of
office hours and location, the kind of help to be expected from the instructor
and teaching assistants, and tutorial services, if available. The instructor also describes the general
nature of the course, the work expected, dates for examinations and paper
submissions, and expectations for classroom participation and attendance. Instructors determine the standards for
grading in their classes and will describe expectations, methods of evaluation,
and factors that enter into grade determination. The special conditions under which an
incomplete (I) might be awarded also should be established. The college does not permit you to submit
extra work to raise your grade unless all students in the class are afforded
the same opportunity.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: You
are entitled to a good learning environment in the classroom. Students whose behavior is disruptive either
to the instructor or to other students will be asked to leave (the policies
regarding student conduct are outlined in the CLA
Classroom, Grading, and Examination Procedures Handbook on-line at http://advisingtools.class.umn.edu/cgep/).
SCHOLASTIC CONDUCT: The University Student Conduct Code defines
scholastic dishonesty as follows:
Scholastic Dishonesty means plagiarizing;
cheating on assignments or examinations; engaging in unauthorized collaboration
on academic work; taking, acquiring, or using test materials without faculty
permission; submitting false or incomplete records of academic achievement;
acting alone or in cooperation with another to falsify records or to obtain
dishonestly grades, honors, awards, or professional endorsement; altering,
forging, or misusing a University academic record; or fabricating or falsifying
data, research procedures, or data analysis. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the
description above. It could also be said that scholastic dishonesty is any act
that violates the rights of another student with respect to academic work or
that involves misrepresentation of a student's own work. Also included would be
cheating on assignments or examinations, inventing or falsifying research or
other findings with the intent to deceive, submitting the same or substantially
similar papers (or creative work) for more than one course without consent of
all instructors concerned, depriving another of necessary course materials, and
sabotaging another's work. Should misconduct arise, the college's Scholastic
Conduct Committee in cooperation with the Office of Student Academic
Integrity/Student Judicial Affairs (OSAI/SJA) assists instructors in resolving
cases, reviews cases in which students believe themselves unfairly treated, and
checks for multiple offenses in different courses.
Faculty members who suspect students of scholastic misconduct must report the
matter to OSAI/SJA. Students cannot evade (intentionally or unintentionally)
a grade sanction by withdrawing from a course before or after the misconduct
charge is reported. This also applies to late withdrawals, including
discretionary late cancellation (also known as the "one-time-only
drop").
A REMINDER OF RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
* SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT POLICIES *
GRADE
INFORMATION: Grades are due in the Office the Registrar within
3 business days after the final examination. No information regarding grades
will be released by the department office staff to anyone except designated
personnel in Records and college offices.
Students may access their own grades through their computer
account. They may do this by following
the directions on the One Stop web site at http://onestop.umn.edu/.
INCOMPLETES: It is the
instructor's responsibility to specify conditions under which an Incomplete (I)
grade is assigned. Students should refer
to the course syllabus and talk with the instructor as early as possible if
they anticipate not completing the course work.
Coursework submitted after the final examination will generally be
evaluated down unless prior arrangements are made in writing by
the instructor. University policy states
that if completion of the work requires the student to attend class in
substantial part a second time, assigning an “I” grade is NOT appropriate. Incompletes
are appropriate only if the student can make up the coursework independently
with the same professor.
MAKE-UP
EXAMINATIONS: Each semester the Sociology Department
arranges a special time for make-up examinations, with proctors arranged by the
department. This exam is mainly for
students who need to make up work from the previous semester, (i.e. quiz,
midterm, or final) and who have made arrangements with the instructor to do
so. A make-up session is held near mid
term each semester, including summer session. Information about the make-up
session is available from the front office (909 Soc Sci).
Students who wish to take the exam must contact the front office early in the
semester and get approval to attend the make-up session from their
instructor. Any other arrangements for
special examinations must be made directly with the instructor who taught the
course and who is responsible for approving and supervising the examination or
making individual arrangements.
GRADE
CHANGES: Grades properly arrived at are not subject to
renegotiation unless all students in the class have similar opportunities. Students have the right to check for possible
clerical errors in the assignment of grades by checking with the instructor
and/or teaching assistant.
Students with justifiable complaints about grades or
classroom procedures have recourse through well-established grievance
procedures. You are expected to confer
first with the course instructor. If no
satisfactory solution is reached, the complaint should be presented in writing
to the department associate chair and/or the department academic advisor (909
Soc Sci). If
these informal processes fail to reach a satisfactory resolution, other formal
procedures for hearing and appeal can be invoked. See the departmental advisor in 923 Social
Sciences to explore options.
SOCIOLOGY
PROGRAMS INFORMATION: The Sociology Department offers two options
for the Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Science degree. We also have an Honors Program. Students interested in majoring in Sociology
should attend an information meeting about the major. Meetings are held about once a week. Sign up for a meeting in 909 Social Sciences.
Further information can be obtained from the following persons and offices:
General
information, Sociology Department, 909 Social Sciences - 624-4300
Sociology Honors Advisor, Professor Joachim Savelsberg, 1181 Social Sciences -
624-0273
Director of Graduate Studies, Professor Penny Edgell,
1074 Social Sciences – 624-9828 and/or
Graduate Program Associate, Robert Fox, 931 Social
Sciences - 624-2093