Course coordinator
Dr Alice Towler
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Psychology School
This course provides students with the practical skills and knowledge to critically evaluate data. Early lectures will focus on foundational principles around the components, design, and interpretation of graphs. Later lectures will focus on how to spot more insidious problems. Tutorials will give students hands on experience of data evaluation.
This course equips students with the essential skills to become discerning consumers of data. Students will learn to navigate the complexities of graphs, understand the principles of good graph design, recognise misleading techniques, differentiate between correlation and causation, and identify biases and fallacies. By delving into real-world examples and case studies, students gain practical knowledge of how data can be used and misused in areas such as science, the media, and advertising.ﾠBy the end of the course, students emerge as skilled analysts capable of making informed decisions based on sound data interpretation.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Students should have a foundational knowledge of statistics from PSYC1040, e.g. independent vs. dependent variables, mean, median, mode, correlation.
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
NEUR1020 + PSYC1030 + PSYC1040
Restrictions
Restricted to Bachelor of Psychological Science(Honours)
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Alice Towler
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The aim of this course is to equip students with skills to be critical consumers of the data they will encounter in the scientific literature and media.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Interpret and describe the information presented in different types of graphs.
LO2.
Identify and explain common techniques used to mislead or distort information presented in graphs.
LO3.
Recognise and explain errors, biases, fallacies, and paradoxes in graphed data and how these affect interpretation.
LO4.
Understand the circumstances that can lead to misleading data entering the scientific record.
LO5.
Communicate scientific findings and ideas effectively.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz | Quizzes | 40% 2 quizzes worth 20% each |
Quiz 1 23/08/2024 Quiz 2 20/09/2024
Quizzes will take place during the lecture in the week specified |
| Essay/ Critique | Data in the wild assignment | 20% |
2/10/2024 5:00 pm |
| Examination | Final Exam | 40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024 |
Assessment details
Quizzes
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 40% 2 quizzes worth 20% each
- Due date
Quiz 1 23/08/2024
Quiz 2 20/09/2024
Quizzes will take place during the lecture in the week specified
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Students will complete two quizzes during the semester. The quizzes will contain multiple choice questions and cover content from both lectures and tutorials. Students will need to bring their own device to complete the quizzes, or will need to make arrangements to borrow one from the library. Approved deferred quizzes will be held the following week at a time and date to be specified.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Data in the wild assignment
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
2/10/2024 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Students will find a problematic graph published in the media and then write a letter to the editor explaining what's wrong with the graph and how it could be improved. More details about this assignment can be found on the assignment sheet.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final Exam
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
The final exam will be held during the official exam period. It will contain multiple choice questions and cover content from both lectures and tutorials. It will also contain a number of previously unseen graphs to be interpreted. Students will need to bring their own device to complete the final exam, or will need to make arrangements to borrow one from the library.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Open Book examination |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 39.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 40 - 49.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
The UQ policy on re-marks applies to PSYC2063. That is, if students feel the mark for an assignment is not appropriate, they should first speak to the marker to gain a better understanding of the mark. If the student still feels the mark is inappropriate after consulting with the marker, the student should request a re-mark, following the UQ policy. The re-mark constitutes the final mark. Keep in mind that a re-mark has one of three possible outcomes: (1) the mark may stay the same; (2) the mark may be decreased; or (3) the mark may be increased.
Quiz grades will be posted to blackboard once the deferred quiz has been completed.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (22 Jul - 28 Jul) |
Lecture |
Introduction Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
Week 2 (29 Jul - 04 Aug) |
Tutorial |
Wine competitions Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
Lecture |
How graphs work Learning outcomes: L01 |
|
Week 3 (05 Aug - 11 Aug) |
Tutorial |
Data detectives Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
Lecture |
How to read graphs Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
|
Week 4 (12 Aug - 18 Aug) |
Tutorial |
Racing roaches Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
Lecture |
Graph fails & tall tales Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 5 (19 Aug - 25 Aug) |
Tutorial |
Battle of the axes Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Lecture |
Contentious comparisons Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 6 (26 Aug - 01 Sep) |
Tutorial |
Showbiz showdown Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Lecture |
Causation conundrums - Part 1 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 7 (02 Sep - 08 Sep) |
Tutorial |
Confounds & colliders Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Lecture |
Causation conundrums - Part 2 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 8 (09 Sep - 15 Sep) |
Tutorial |
Base rates Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Lecture |
When the truth lies - Part 1 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 9 (16 Sep - 22 Sep) |
Tutorial |
Gameshow gamble Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Lecture |
When the truth lies - Part 2 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Mid Sem break (23 Sep - 29 Sep) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
NO TUTORIAL (Mid-semester break) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
NO LECTURE (Mid-semester break) |
|
Week 10 (30 Sep - 06 Oct) |
Tutorial |
Biased buses Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Lecture |
Sampling surprises Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 11 (07 Oct - 13 Oct) |
Lecture |
Science's dirty underbelly - Part 1 Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Week 12 (14 Oct - 20 Oct) |
Tutorial |
The Wakefield Debacle Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Lecture |
Science's dirty underbelly - Part 2 + Q&A with Honours students Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: