MA Program in Sociology, should I take theory, methods, and stats all at once?

[ASleeplessWolf]

Hello all,

 

I have recently been accepted to the Master's Program in sociology at Loyola University Chicago. They strongly reccommend/require a new master's student to take a course in theory, as well as one called "the logic of sociological inquiry," which seems to deal with methods.

 

They say you can pick one elective, but due to scheduling and limited options, only 2 seem possible. One is statistical methods analysis I which honestly intimidates me a little. I took a basic statistics course in undergrad but this sounds much more advanced:

 

"After a review of bivariate regression and cross-tabular analysis, the course provides an extended treatment of the general linear model. Topics include model construction, interpretation of results, partitioning of variance, tests of statistical significance and interactions."

 

That does ring some bells, but it still sounds more serious than my psych stats course I took.

 

Anyways, the other course I could take is Family, which I have no particular interest in, but I'd imagine it would be easier than statistical methods analysis. It's not that I want this all to be easy, it's that I don't want to be blown away my first term. I'm a hard worker with a 3.97 GPA graduating from a school with a 25 ACT average, so pretty decent.

 

What I want to know, obviously, is which course I should take--Family or Statistical Methods Analysis I. I know this sounds stupid, but keep in mind I will also be taking theory and methods, and I want to stand out. Does anyone have any advice for me please? Registration needs to be in within a couple days!!!

 

Thanks!

[rising_star]

What are your long-term goals?

[ASleeplessWolf]

Well I aim to get my master's in sociology and, since that isn't worth much probably on its own, go for a PhD. Then I suppose be a professor.

[Applemiu]

I would definitely go for the stats course. It's going to start in September, right? Review some stats before starting, but don't worry too much, it is not as bas as it seems. In particular, review the last chapters of whatever your intro stats book was: regression, analysis of variance, multiple regression. It is worth it. It is better to tackle stats as soon as you can. Good luck!

[ASleeplessWolf]

Thanks for the advice. My classes start at the end of August. However I'm now graduating from a trimester school, so my stats course was... Well, we didn't cover a lot of that stuff (I don't think). We mainly replicated what a professor did for a final project. Still, I understand that I should probably take stats.

 

I just don't know how I'm going to stay sane. My only coping strategy is video games. I have a relationship to maintain but at least we'll be living together. Things are just scary at this point.

[Applemiu]

Don't worry! Theory and methods are not that hard. Again I think stats is really important, in particular if you want to go for a Phd. How about getting a tutor for the summer to review the intro stats material, or auditing a course? Honestly I think that it's much better to get a B in an advanced stats course than an A+ in Family and no stats at all. I read this on an university website once and I think it is true.

Edited June 12, 2014 by Applemiu

[ASleeplessWolf]

Okay thank you once again. I will take the stats course.

[Applemiu]

I think that"s a good decision. I can suggest you a couple of resources to review (I am kind of passionate about stats).

This is a great book, and very readable:

"Stats, Data and Models" by De Veaux, Velleman and Bock.

After you have gone through it (or another intro stats book) I suggest:

"Applied Linear Regression Models" by Kutner, Nachtsheim and Neter.

Here you can just read the first four chapters about regression with one predictor variable.

Hope this helps!

Edited June 13, 2014 by Applemiu