Unit information: Educational Statistics in 2021/22

Unit name	Educational Statistics
Unit code	EDUC30035
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Wenham
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Education
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

Understanding how to use, present and analyse data, select the right statistical test, interpret the results correctly and communicate findings honestly and effectively are essential tools in social science, policy research and also in business and commerce.

The aim of this unit is to:

• introduce students to the principles of statistical enquiry drawing on examples from social scientific research;
• provide an introduction to the statistical software, SPSS.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. understand the most commonly used descriptive statistics and graphs in educational research;
2. understand the most commonly used statistical tests in educational research;
3. apply these procedures in SPSS, report and interpret the output correctly;
4. select and justify the most appropriate procedures in different situations;
5. read and engage with published research which use these procedures.

Teaching Information

This unit will be taught using a blended approach consisting of a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous activities including lectures, seminars, investigative activities, SPSS practicals, reading and discussions. Students will be expected to engage with readings and SPSS activities on a regular basis.

Assessment Information

Formative assessment: Regular mathematical and statistical activities and computer practicals using SPSS, to practice the different taught procedures. Annotated answers will be provided to allow students to self-evaluate and peer-evaluate their progress.

Summative assessment:

ILOs 1-5: An assignment (3000 words). Students will be provided with SPSS datasets and will be asked to address research questions. Students will be required to identify and conduct in SPSS appropriate descriptive statistics, graphs, and statistical tests to address these research questions. Students will then have to explain their decisions, report their statistical output, and interpret their findings in the educational context, reflecting on strengths and weaknesses of their analyses (100%).

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EDUC30035).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.