PBSI 301 Elementary Statistics for Psychology
College: Arts and Sciences
Department: Psychology
Type: W
Status: Approved
REPORT ON CERTIFICATION OF W COURSE: PBSI 301
CERTIFICATION PERIOD: 9/1/24 to 9/1/28
We recommend that PBSI 301 Elementary Statistics for Psychology be certified as a writing (W) course. We have reviewed a representative syllabus and have determined that the course meets or exceeds the following criteria: (1) 34% of the final grade is based on writing quality; (2) the total number of words is 2,000; (3) the instructor to student ratio is 1:22; and (4) the assigned writing is appropriate to the major.
PBSI 301 is a 4-credit course with a writing component that consists of four disciplinary-specific scientific reports. Students receive formative feedback by submitting an ungraded rough draft of each report for peer review or lab instructor comments (this depends on each instructor’s preference). Sections that choose peer review complete a review calibration activity and ensure that every student gets peer comments from two people under the lab instructor’s supervision. Lab instructors who choose to comment directly on student drafts undergo a formative feedback training with the faculty member. Writing instruction is provided via a lab manual that details APA style and tips for style and proofreading, which is covered before the first rough draft is submitted. Lab instructors also devote additional class time to writing instruction as needed when students submit drafts.
CERTIFICATION PERIOD: 9/1/24 to 9/1/28
We recommend that PBSI 301 Elementary Statistics for Psychology be certified as a writing (W) course. We have reviewed a representative syllabus and have determined that the course meets or exceeds the following criteria: (1) 34% of the final grade is based on writing quality; (2) the total number of words is 2,000; (3) the instructor to student ratio is 1:22; and (4) the assigned writing is appropriate to the major.
PBSI 301 is a 4-credit course with a writing component that consists of four disciplinary-specific scientific reports. Students receive formative feedback by submitting an ungraded rough draft of each report for peer review or lab instructor comments (this depends on each instructor’s preference). Sections that choose peer review complete a review calibration activity and ensure that every student gets peer comments from two people under the lab instructor’s supervision. Lab instructors who choose to comment directly on student drafts undergo a formative feedback training with the faculty member. Writing instruction is provided via a lab manual that details APA style and tips for style and proofreading, which is covered before the first rough draft is submitted. Lab instructors also devote additional class time to writing instruction as needed when students submit drafts.