Spatial Statistics - Home
Main menu:
Spatial Statistics
MY COURSES
General Information
Instructor: J. Lopez, Ph.D.
Telephone:
507-389-1890
507-382-0497
Office:
218 I Armstrong Hall
Electronic mail:
jose.lopez@mnsu.edu
Office Hours:
Monday and Wednesday
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Tuesday and Thursday
1:30 pm – 4:00 pm
If I am not in my office, please call
507-382-0497
Required Textbook:
Rogerson, Peter.
Statistical Methods for Geography: Fifth Edition.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Course Objectives
This basic course focuses on helping students recognize research situations in which inferential statistics can be applied. The class is designed to prepare students to use quantitative skills necessary for carrying out research projects. Essentially, this is an introductory class about quantification in geography and the use of statistical methods for scientific analysis.
Expectations
The solving of problems and exercises dealing with different types of inferential statistics techniques.
The distinction of different mathematical tools, statistical analysis methods, and specific geographic research techniques necessary for the understanding of physical and cultural geographic regions.
The input and analysis of geographic information with the help of statistical analysis computer programs.
Exemplar projects and exercises will be drawn from physical and human geography.
Undergraduate Students' Learning Outcomes
At the end of the semester, students will be able to explain basic statistical techniques and demonstrate their application to quantitative geography;
Students will be able to identify what kind of methods would be appropriate for the solution of their research questions;
Students will be able to possess the insight and abilities to design successful research projects.
Graduate Students' Expectations and Learning Outcomes
More is expected of a graduate student than an undergraduate since a student enters a graduate program after attending at least four years of college. A graduate degree requires more analytical thinking as the student is expected to review the literature and conduct research about a specific field of study.
By the end of this course, the student will be able to:
Identify the most effective quantitative analysis techniques for data evaluation.
Distinguish which statistical tools are the most effective to solve very specific real problems.
Understand inferential statistical analysis concepts using real data from many areas of physical and human geography.
Lectures
Lectures will focus on selected concepts and topics pertinent to quantitative analysis, the nature of geographical data, and statistical problem solving methods.
Throughout the semester, quizzes may be given without notice. This is to measure your comprehension of the material discussed in class. These quizzes do not serve as punitive action; they are designed to assess your learning experience. These short examinations are a small portion of the assignment/quiz grade, not the exam grade criterion.
Quizzes and assignments may differ in value (points) depending on their complexity. Do not expect that an elementary assignment will have the same worth as a more complicated exercise.
Weights
Exercises (homework) and quizzes: 40% of course grade
Three exams: 60% of course grade
Exercises
When possible, homework or labs will be used to evaluate the students understanding of the material presented. Graduate students must perform at a level distinct from the undergraduates; this is especially true of the exercises and quizzes. All students must complete a series of laboratories using census data, economic reports, climate recordings, and physiographic information in order to demonstrate their understanding of various statistical techniques.
Course Policies and Rules
It is my policy that disrespectful behavior, lack of consideration towards the participants of the course, tardiness, or any disturbance on your part will influence my decision regarding your final grade.
Attendance is not mandatory, but you are highly advised to attend. If you want to succeed in this course, you should come to every session. While about 90% of the material covered by the lectures could be found in the course book, some topics are not sufficiently covered by the text.
Even though attendance is not mandatory, points will be deducted for those students who leave class early, especially on days that test and quiz grades are returned (permission to leave early is required). I prefer that you are absent instead of having to witness students leaving the classroom disrespectfully.
Experience indicates that grades correlate with attendance and an absence on a test day is detrimental to one's grade.
Please, consult any of your classmates for notes or handouts distributed during lecture if you miss a class session. Do not visit my office asking for old handouts. My duties during office hours are to clarify concepts and answer questions pertinent to tests or assignments, not tutoring (private instruction).
Under special circumstances, I will make electronic notes and Power Point slides available (you are expected to make an office appointment with me, and bring a PC-formatted disk or an USB flash drive so you can copy the lecture files). If you were absent, I would give you copies of the class notes or a make-up quiz if you provide a documented valid excuse.
Valid excuses include
• personal illness, as verified by a valid medical excuse;
• death or critical illness in the immediate family;
• participation in a university-sponsored activity;
• military service;
• law enforcement or public safety service.
If you examine MSUM’s Student Handbook (the "Students’ Responsibilities" section), you will find that item number two lists the following policy:
"Individuals will respect and foster the academic endeavors of others. Minnesota State Mankato exists to promote learning, and as such, students must behave in such a way to allow the process of learning to take place by group or individual. Examples of violations include but are not limited to: harassment of a faculty member; disrupting teaching or learning; excessive noise that disrupts classes, studying or University activities; other activities that seriously disrupt the educational process; intentionally altering, inhibiting, or stealing another person's research."
Cell phone use (of any kind – voice, texting, calculator, or photography…) is prohibited during class. Phones must be turned off or at least set them not to make noise during class time.
The following activities are not to be engaged in during class because they are disruptive and detract from the learning focus of the course: listening to distracting electronic devices such as MP3 players, I-Pods, smartphones, CD players, or Walkman radios; playing electronic games; looking at pagers, Facebook/Twitter/My Space, or other social media; texting, internet faxing, or web browsing. In essence, all students are required to turn off laptop computers before class starts to avoid distracting activities. Reading the newspaper or other materials not related to the course is not permitted during the lecture. Audio or video recording of lectures is not permitted.
Students are not permitted to make unauthorized, electronic recordings of lectures or electronic copies of course materials (e.g., PowerPoints, formulas, lecture notes) using personally owned recording devices (e.g., smart phone, iPad, computer, digital recorder).
Recorded lectures or copied material must be destroyed at the end of the course or semester. Unauthorized downloading, file sharing, distribution of any part of a recorded lecture or course materials, or using information for purposes other than the student’s own learning may be deemed a violation of Minnesota State University, Mankato’s “Statement of Student Responsibilities” subject to disciplinary action.
Side conversations are discourteous to classmates, instructors, and guests. Conversations between classmates while I instruct will not be tolerated and I will ask disruptive students to leave the classroom if I deem it necessary. A student may be dropped from a course by the administration if disrespectful behaviors persist and I recommend this action. Raised voices, temper tantrums, and rude behavior will not change my 24-year-old policy.
Class time will be reserved for the definition of concepts, discussion of topics, and explanation of analytical techniques. Office hours are devoted to answering your questions.
There may be in-class assignments or quizzes, which are a portion of your course average grade. I give these occasional quizzes during the last 10 minutes of the session, throughout the semester. I am not obligated to announce most quizzes in advance.
Quizzes and assignments may differ in value (points) depending on their complexity. Do not expect that an elementary assignment will have the same worth as a more complicated exercise.
Late or make-up exams will only be given in verifiable cases of hardship or illness (you need to provide a note from the physician, court, or police department to demonstrate a legitimate reason for your absence). Projects or exercises turned in late after the original assignment has already been graded and returned will be worth zero points. There will not be any make-up quizzes or group activities. However, if you miss only one quiz, that zero will not be included during the calculation of the final grade (remember you have only one chance!).
The course is lecture format, not cooperative learning. Geography is a different type of science that involves very specific facts and theories. Basically, come to class, listen to the lecture, and take notes. Stop me (politely!) if I go too fast or if you have a question. The type of participation that I expect from you could be asking good questions, providing helpful facts during the discussion of concepts, and clarifying ideas that might be considered complex by other students.
The syllabus serves as a guideline and is subject to change, depending on circumstances as the semester progresses.
If you are a student with a documented disability, please see me as early in the semester as possible to discuss the necessary accommodations, and/or contact the Disability Services Office at (507) 389-2825. Minnesota State University, Mankato provides students with disabilities reasonable accommodation to participate in educational programs, activities or services.
Reading Schedule
Week - Topics
1 Introduction: Section 1.5 of your textbook.
1 Descriptive Statistics: Chapter 2, sections 2.1 - 2.3 of your textbook.
2 Descriptive Statistics: Chapter 2, sections 2.1 - 2.3 of your textbook.
3 Measures of Variation: Chapter 2, sections 2.4 - 2.5.1 of your textbook.
4 Describing Data: Chapter 2, sections 2.5.2 - 2.5.4 of your textbook.
5 Probability: Chapters 3 and 4 of your textbook.
6 Probability: Chapters 3 and 4 of your textbook.
Test 1 - September 26
7 Introduction to Inferential Statistics: Chapter 5 of your textbook.
8 Introduction to Inferential Statistics: Chapter 5 of your textbook.
9 Hypothesis Testing: Chapter 5 of your textbook.
10 Correlation: Chapter 7 of your textbook.
11 Correlation: Chapter 7 of your textbook.
Test 2 - October 31
12 Regression: Chapter 9 of your textbook.
13 Regression: Chapter 9 of your textbook.
14 ANOVA: Chapter 6 of your textbook.
15 Chi-Square: Chapter 6, section 6.7 of your textbook.
Final Exam - December 7, 10:15 am.
Grading Criteria
4 points (A+)
3.75 points (A)
3.5 points (A-)
3.25 points (B+)
3 points (B)
2.75 points (B-)
2.5 points (C+)
2.25 points (C)
2 points (C-)
1.75 points (D+)
1.5 points (D)
1.25 points (D-)
0 points (F)