Guidance for assignments in this class

Below are clarifications and tips that you need to keep in mind when completing and turning in assignments in this class.

1) All assignments are set up the same way. They can be found in the menu at the top of the pages in Wix. At the top of the link to an assignment is the actual description of the assignment. After that will be videos that demonstrate how to complete the assignment. Towards the end will sometimes be a data page, where you can download data. Some assignments will use data on the web and other assignments will reuse data from previous assignments. The last part of every assignment is a link to where you submit your assignment.

2) If you use Excel, you must submit an Excel workbook, with the .xlsx extension. Never turn in a .csv file unless you are specifically asked to do so. The .csv files are data files and they do not show your work (i.e. formulas or graphs). You will not receive points for turning in assignments that do not show your work (i.e. formulas).

3) If you use R, turn in your R script file, which will have a .R extension. You will always send your R script file to rbflynn@ualr.edu and you will always submit a Word file that has the lines (i.e. commands) in your R script file to the Wix submission page for the approriate assignment. There is not way that I can tell that you created an R script file unless you send me an R script file. Because of this, I will not accept your assignment unless you send me an R script file.

4) I should be able to run your R file and get all of your answers. This means that you must follow all instructions carefully and make sure there are no errors when you run you R script file. Be aware that it is possible to have variables created in the memory of R, that are not correctly created in the R script file that you turn in. This could result in an R script file running without errors but it will run with errors on another computer (e.g. my computer when I am grading your assignment). For that reason, the safe thing to do is reboot your computer, open R Studio and run your R script file before you turn the assignment in.

5) Clearly show where I should expect to see your answers with comments such as "#Answer to question a is here". The # sign allows you to include notes in your file because it tells the computer to skip the line.

6) Read and follow instructions carefully. Failing to follow instructions will cost you points. For example, if the instructions say to produce three graphs, you must produce all three graphs. Another example could be failing to name your files according to instructions. A third common mistake, for those who use R, is failing to read Excel data files from the statlab folder in the C drive (see videos and assignment instructions). Two and a half points will be counted off for failing to follow directions, even if your assignment is otherwise flawless. If you fail to follow more than one instruction, you can be counted off 2 1/2 points for each violation.

7) Everyone is encouraged to use R. Overall, it is easier to complete the assignments with R. Some assignments can take less than 30 minutes in R but the same assignment could take 2-4 hours in Excel. In addition, R is much more powerful and much more useful in the professional world and in graduate school.

8) If you must use Excel, things will be much easier for you if you have a fairly recent version of Excel. In addition, it will be an added bonus if you have a version of Excel with the Analysis Took Kit (see instructions on installing the Analysis Took Kit).

9) You have at least two weeks to complete each assignment and everyone is expected to work on each assignment early. Pretend like each assignment is due a week before the actual due date, because there will not be an opportunity to turn in late assignments. The week before the due date will be considered extra time for those who have experienced difficulties getting the assignment done.

10) Every student must do his or her own work. I should never see the same assignment turned in by two or more students. Please take this seriously. If I see strong evidence that two or more students turn in the same assignment, all students involved will receive a zero on the assignment and may also face academic dishonesty charges. If you work with another student, it is very important to think of ways to make your assignment your own. This is not hard to do. For example, set your data up in a different way and/or use different cells in Excel to perform your calculations. Even if you are using R, there are many ways to make your script file different than someone you are working with. Your ability to do this depends a lot on whether or not you understand how to complete the assignment, which is the whole purpose of taking this lab course.

11) Make sure that your assignment is correct before you submit it. Once you have submitted an assignment, it will be graded. There are no opportunities to re-submit assignments.

12) You must sign-up to this Wix site, using your @ualr email address. This is how I keep up with students, etc. If you do not sign up with your @ualr email address, you will not be able to see the instructional videos in this lab.

13) This lab is available to students for only one semester. After you complete the course, you will be deleted from this Wix site.

Copyright information: All videos created by Dr. Corwyn are the intellectual property of Dr. Robert Corwyn. Dr. Corwyn's videos are all videos in this class, that have been uploaded to this site. They all start with a title with a green background and they all include a voiceover that describes what is demonstrated in the video. Nobody has permission to use this material beyond the duration of this course, nor do they have permission to share, download, distribute or re-use this information in any way. You are supposed to view these videos while logged into Wix.

Please take note of the following statement in the UALR Student Handbook.

25. Reproduction of Materials: Students may not reproduce, in whole or in part, any classroom lectures or study materials presented by a professor without specific approval in advance by the professor. Publication of any such material shall only be with the express consent of the professor.