So this week there were some definite Peaks and pitfalls for both SPSS Statistics and Thyne. I would like  to start with the peaks:

As I mentioned last week, I took AP statistics in high school, so I actually remember doing chi-square and measures of association. Obviously we didn’t do them using SPSS Statistics, so I think that this probably  made this chapter a lot  easier. In class when it was said this chapter was going to be very hard, but I was presently surprised that it wasn’t that bad. Also, I remember having to interpret the data then, so it was something that I had already done before. Pollock still does a very good job teaching the information so it is very easy to understand. Also, I realized in chapter 9 how cheesy Thyne  can be when he was going over the cross tabs he said, “Focus on one row at a time! Or, #onerowatatime. Or, ‘team one row’. Or whatever you kids are into nowadays.” (Thyne, 155) It had me laughing well I was reading.

Now for the pitfalls! Just like last week, I was annoyed with all the reading in Pollock and the lack of  charts, but I think the interpretation takes more explaining. Well doing the worksheet either canvas, or my computer was glitching and it would not let me click on the Sommer’d column of the chart, so I missed that whole row of answers. I was presently not surprised to find out at the end of question 1 that I could not find out what answers I got wrong and I only had one more attempt. Seemed like a wild goose chase, of like guess which one you got wrong. Lastly, I know that Thyne has a lot of good information, but it is so statistic and formula oriented he just looses me. If I had to calculate these things by hand than I think I would pay a lot more attention, but we are using a program that does it for you so it loses me. It does fill in some good information that you miss in Pollock sometimes though.

This weeks information really brought me back to high school when I took AP statistics. I remember going over t-stats, P-values, and looking at the 95% range with the highs and lows. Considering we had to remember formulas, calculate everything by hand, and use those long extensive charts, this way is 100% the better way to deal with statistics. Because I had seen this information before it was not that the chapter and worksheet were super difficult, but there were a couple things that were annoying. For starters, the fact that it switched over from data sets A to B with nothing more than just a little note at the bottom of the first page was peculiar. I started with the wrong data set, but luckily Professor Sanborn mentioned in class that there was that switch. The next annoying thing about this chapter was there was so much more reading then usual so it took a lot longer to get through the chapter. Also, I find the diagrams are a lot easier to follow then the text, they are a nice reassurance that you are doing things right. Lastly, The last question on the worksheet was pretty annoying because it took me while to figure out what I was using to analyze the data, then I was so concerned with figuring out Wisdom 1 that I completely forgot to enter the information in for wisdom 2, so I then had to go and re-enter all the information in the worksheet again so I could finish the whole chart for wisdom 2. Anyways, the chapter information wasn’t hard, but I was just really annoyed with the chapter anyways.

Earlier I wrote a blog about how I really liked Pollock’s book, because the directions were step-by-step, they were super easy  to follow, there were lots of pictures, and even videos to watch if you get really  lost. This still hold true. I do not mind going through the chapters and learning what Pollock has to teach because it is interactive and I am learning a lot. Basically, the opportunity cost pans out and so although no one truly likes school work it is one of more favorite assignments to do this semester.

On the other hand though, you have the Thyne book. I understand that the book is not as instructive and has more conceptual things in it, but it  sucks in comparison. The chapters are short and they do nicely outline/bold what the key concepts are, so that part is nice. What I don’t like  is  Thyne treats the information like word vomit he  goes a lot of complex information, very quickly, and with little detail and just say this is important to know. I found this to be especially  true with the Chapter 11 reading. He stated, “Understanding rival factors is absolutely critical to understanding how we go about testing hypotheses in political science.” I can’t say for something so critical that I understand it well after this chapter. Also, he  mentions how important it is to tell the truth and  the whole truth and manipulation and everything else, but then is like you didn’t get the whole truth from this chapter. I know I don’t want to read super long chapters, but at the same time after reading I do not have a   good grasp on chapter 11 concepts.

I think that this week the homework for chapter 4 “Making Comparisons” took a little bit longer because it required a little bit more thinking then past chapters. Even though obviously I don’t want my homework to take longer I have to say it was more interesting. I can see the how SPSS Statistics is a helpful application in manipulating and interpreting data. Also, it was a good intro for me on how to really use data in order to help with  a study or hypothesis. also, I am wondering if this is an application that I can somehow use to help me with my project for the capstone class because that would be super helpful.

Side note: I think that SPSS Statistics might be easier to use  then EXCEL. I think that things are labeled better and easier to understand. I guess it could also be easier for me to use because I have a  book with step-by-step instructions though.

When working on Chapter 3 the most annoying thing about technology happened…my SPSS Statistics randomly shutdown and I had not saved the data I had adjusted yet. It was good practice for me to have to go back and do what I had already done, but time consuming and annoying.

Otherwise, the chapter went by really smoothly. Nothing was difficult, just a matter of following the directions. I can see how being able to transform, or manipulate the data could be very helpful when you are studying, experimenting, and researching a topic.

When I was doing my capstone brief. I found myself using things that I read from the Thyne book about asking questions and creating a thesis. This class definitely should be taken before the capstone class I can see that now.