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Quantitative MethodsGeography 441

Course Requirements and Introduction

This course will cover:

• Descriptive statistics and graphs• Measures of central tendency and dispersion• Distributions and probability• Parametric and non-parametric two sample tests• Contingency table analyses• Correlation analysis• Regression analysis• Spatial analytic methods

All of these will focus on geographic applications.

Equipment:

1. Calculator with statistical functions2. Three-ring binder3. A thumb dive4. Textbook:

Statistical Methods for Geography. By Peter A.Rogerson (latest edition)

Course Particulars:

1. Attendance in EXTREMELY important.

2. Late exercises and assignments will not be accepted.

3. All computer work must be completed on-time.

4. All work MUST follow the Results Format.

Since each concept builds on the previous, falling behind in this course will make successful completion difficult. Therefore the goal is to keep everyone on track.

You MUST keep all of your exercises, etc… since you will bereferring back to these often.

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Exercises

• Must be handed in on time.

• Must be TYPED.

• Must follow the format provided. Some slight variationif fine, as long as it is legible.

• IF you use Microsoft WORD, get used to working withthe EQUATION EDITOR.

The Tests

• There are 2 test in this class divided into 2 sections:1. An in-class test2. A take home test

• The in-class test 1. Standard format.2. Bring a calculator to the tests.

• The take home test will:1. Focus on using the computer.2. Allow you to work in groups.3. Come BEFORE the in-class test.4. Hand it in ON the in-class test day at the beginning

of class.

Group Work

•You will be responsible for getting into/creating a group.

•You don’t HAVE to work in a group, but it will be easier.

• The take home will act as a means of studying.

• How you operate your groups is up to you.

Responsibilities

1. All work MUST be original. That means no cutting and pasting of other people’s work, even if youare in the same group.

2. You must know how to perform all statistical testsby hand and by computer.

3. Hand in all material on time and in the correct format.

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Web Site

• Any data set you need for either the take home test orexercises will be posted on my web site.

• Any other info you need will be found there too.

• Any issues that arise will be posted.

Web address:http://webspace.ship.edu/pgmarr/Geo441/Geo441.htm

Answer Format

The answer format is to be used on ALL material that you hand in.

The reason for this is simple:

1. Makes it easier for me to read and grade.

2. Makes it easier for you to be sure you have included all relevant information.

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Components of a Summary StatementThe results of any statistical test (e.g. one where you are testing a null hypothesis)

must be stated in a concise summary statement. This statement should include a

summary of the findings, the test that was performed, the alpha level used, the

statistical results, and the probability. An example of a good summary statement is

below:

Using Microsoft Equation 3.0

Using the Equation Editor:

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Using SPSS:Syntax window

Output window

Data editor window

The syntax window allows you to run scripts that can be built up from the

command log (found in the output window). To run a script, select the text

and click the RUN button.

The output window is where all of the statistical output is found and allows

you to edit tables and graphs. These can be copied and pasted into a Word

document.

The data editor window hold the working data set and is comprised of two

tabs: the Data View tab for altering or examining your data, and the Variable

View tab for changing the variable definitions or adding new variables.