社會科學最終的目的在於描述及解釋不同的社會現象，如何描述與解釋有不同的研究取向。而統計學是最常被社會科學家用來描述及解釋實證研究資料的工具之一，其在社會科學研究上的重要性毋庸置疑。統計學就是搜集、整理、分析、表現經驗證據，並藉由檢定假設與推論，以做出進一步的決策。本課程是一初級的統計學課程，主要是讓學生熟悉統計學的基本概念與理論，學習統計套裝軟體，並了解統計學在社會科學研究中之應用。

學習建議：
一般主修社會科學的學生，對統計學似乎都非常懼怕，常見的理由是:｢我數學不好｣、或是｢統計一大堆數學公式，我算得頭昏腦脹｣，其實這些都是錯誤的觀念。統計不是數學，雖然其中應用了數學公式來證明或推導一些基本概念。統計是一種思考的方法，可以幫助我們做出決策。學習統計，第一秘訣是要拋棄害怕畏縮的心態；第二秘訣是，和其他科目一樣，統計的學習需要耐心及恆心，除了用腦用心思考之外，還要實際動手計算。最重要的是，統計學的概念及推理具有高度的連貫性，因此最有效率的學習策略是：上課專心聽講，當天立即複習，有問題隨時提問，務必掌握每一階段的學習內容。

另外，隨著電腦科技的發達，各種統計套裝軟體已經發展成熟，這大大降低了從事繁瑣計算的必要性，對我們學習統計非常有幫助。有鑑於統計套裝軟體在現代工作應用上的普遍性，我們會學習一個在社會科學領域極受歡迎的統計軟體，SPSS。透過SPSS，同學們應更能體會統計在社會科學計量研究中的應用。

教學目標：
藉著研讀相關文獻及課後的實際演算，同學們可以:
 學習如何針對問題搜集可靠的資料
 熟悉如何整理與分析資料，並據此做出合理的推論或預測
 增強統計思惟能力，及加強對龐大數字／數據資料的理解與掌握程度
 培養敏銳的社會現象觀察力與經驗分析能力
 體會不同社會學次領域的研究特色
 培養社會課題比較、分析、與思考能力

The ultimate goal of social science is to describe and explain different social phenomena, and there are different research orientations on how to describe and explain them. Statistics is one of the tools most commonly used by social scientists to describe and interpret empirical research data, and its importance in social scientific research is unquestionable. Statistics is the collection, organization, analysis, and presentation of empirical evidence, and the testing of hypotheses and inferences to make further decisions. This course is an introductory statistics course. It mainly allows students to familiarize themselves with the basic concepts and theories of statistics, learn statistical package software, and understand the application of statistics in social science research.

Study suggestions:
Generally, students majoring in social sciences seem to be very afraid of statistics. Common reasons are: "I am not good at mathematics" or "I feel dizzy when trying to calculate a lot of mathematical formulas." In fact, these are wrong concepts. Statistics is not mathematics, although mathematical formulas are applied to prove or derive some basic concepts. Statistics is a way of thinking that helps us make decisions. The first secret to learning statistics is to abandon the fearful mentality; the second secret is that, like other subjects, learning statistics requires patience and perseverance. In addition to thinking with your brain and heart, you also need to do practical calculations. The most important thing is that the concepts and reasoning of statistics are highly coherent, so the most efficient learning strategy is: listen attentively in class, review immediately on the day, ask questions at any time, and be sure to master the learning content at each stage.

In addition, with the development of computer technology, various statistical software packages have matured, which greatly reduces the need for tedious calculations and is very helpful for us to learn statistics. In view of the ubiquity of statistical software packages in modern work applications, we will study a very popular statistical software in the field of social sciences, SPSS. Through SPSS, students should better understand the application of statistics in quantitative research in social sciences.

Teaching objectives:
By studying relevant literature and performing practical calculations after class, students can:
 Learn how to collect reliable information for problems
 Be familiar with how to organize and analyze data and make reasonable inferences or predictions based on it
 Enhance statistical thinking ability and enhance understanding and mastery of huge numbers/data.
 Cultivate keen observation of social phenomena and ability to analyze experiences
 Understand the research characteristics of different sociological sub-fields
 Cultivate the ability to compare, analyze, and think about social issues

Pagano, Robert R. 2010. Understanding Statistics in the Behavioral Sciences, 10th Edition. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. [代號: RRP]
Or [中譯本]
潘中道、郭俊賢合譯，Robert R. Pagano 原著，2013，行為科學統計學 (十版)，台北：湯姆生出版。

Pagano, Robert R. 2010. Understanding Statistics in the Behavioral Sciences, 10th Edition. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. [Code: RRP]
Or [Chinese translation]
Co-translated by Pan Zhongdao and Guo Junxian, originally written by Robert R. Pagano, 2013, Statistics for Behavioral Sciences (10th edition), Taipei: Thomson Publishing.