Marty, As is usual, a number of interesting issues have been developed
in response. I do not give them exams to drop, etc., but use a straight
percentage grading system. I do tell them how I get their total points
and the percentage, but do not hold their hands further. I would
suggest in the future, when you return the last assignment before the
final, you provide an indication of how well they are doing. This
should be enough for them to make the decision as to whether to take the
final. Or you can walk them thru any needed calculations earlier and
the point out near the end that you did so, and they should calculate
their standing themselves. I do use a point system and after every
exam and major assignment I include their total points and percentage in
the class.
Regarding the issue of stats and psychologists: For those wishing
to stress the point that statistical/probabilistic thinking is central
in psychology, I would recommend K. Stanovich's "How to Think Straight
About Psychology," chapters ten and eleven as potential resource
material for some class discussion/lecture. In the General Psych class,
I do make mention of correlational statistics, give a brief idea of
stat. significance, give examples of Weber's law, make reference to base
rates, etc., but wouldn't dare do more than this.
I spent some time telling them about the problems of inferring
cause-effect from correlational studies, but then one or two students
brought in psych journal articles where psychologists routinely use
causal language in describing the results of correlational analyses. I
was over-joyed that a couple of students did look at these journals, but
discouraged at the loose and sloppy writing in them. I am still going
to give some lip service to the problems of causal inferences from
correlational research, but feel a more in-depth look would require an
Honors group or upper level class. I am currently teaching a class on
the Scientific Foundations of Psychology (such as it is) *--no, that's
not in the title ;-) where the Stanovich book is required, and I do
delve into these issues. Gary
Gerald L. (Gary) Peterson, Ph.D.
Professor, Psychology
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI 48710
989-964-4491
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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