How the hell am I going to achieve this?

[theresnowayicandothis]

I've got an essay due in 10 days for uni. If I don't pass it, I can't do my final year at uni. It's a psychology report (2nd year level), I need to do some stats on SPSS and G*power and stuff to do with correlation. Also something about inferential and descriptive statistics, and assumptions.

I've had a shit year, a lot of adverse circumstances, I hardly went to any of the psychology lectures and I'm bewildered by most of what I'm reading.

I have higher maths, but that was in 2009, and I only vaguely remember doing statistics. I've worked out what a standard deviation is, what normal distribution is, what a z score means and what correlation is - I think. Mainly from memory from school!

Uni are aware and extremely supportive and have told me they believe I can do this. I've been given 6 hours tomorrow and the next day in my mentor's office to sit and get on with it, to eliminate chance of me sitting panicking and not getting anything done.

I realistically want it done by Friday, but I've got until the 27th. Uni said if essential I could get an extension for a further week, if really needed, they'd support that.

How the hell do I do this? Are there websites that explain this in a very simple fashion?

It doesn’t sound like it’s the timing that is the issue, though — have you told your tutor you don’t understand the assignment or the reading?

Yes, they've given very clear instructions ie first do this, then this, then this. Plus a handbook for SPSS and G*power and I've got 'psychology for dummies' too... It's the amount of numbers that's confusing me, whenever I open the software its just a screen of numbers. All the stuff about variables confuses the hell out of me.

Have a look on YouTube about doing whatever analysis you need to on SPSS, there's usually plenty of vids where people can talk you through the process and interpretation.

Not sure if this helps.

https://libguides.library.kent.edu/spss/pearsoncorr

What about trying the best you can, and seeing how the essay goes.

Do you need the marks from this to pass your year or do you just need to hand in this?

'Psychology for Dummies' probably isn't enough to get you through a university level assignment.

I have a psychology degree and we had weekly statistics classes - do you not? You should know exactly how to do the statistical analyse necessary to do your assignment.

Can you get an appointment with whoever teaches the stats part of your course and just sit for an hour and go through it with them?

You've still got plenty of time so don't worry about that.

Yes, I would have thought you’d have regular small-group classes in stats? It sounds to me as if you need an emergency tutorial, but it’s a bad time of year as staff are at conferences, doing research or on annual leave.

We did, but I stupidly didn’t go to the lectures, I’ve got agoraphobia and those lectures were never compulsory so I ended up just not going. Even when I did go tbh I spent the entire time confused, the only stuff that makes sense is qualitative data and interviewing etc, survey design and ethics, the numbers stuff is beyond me.

I can email the course tutor yes, I’ve got her details. We get examples of two previous reports to look at too, they’ve both only done correlation and Cronbach alpha - it’s all the other stuff I don’t know if I need to do it, Mann Whitney tests and stuff like that.

We never got small group classes, no. If I’d been doing straightforward psychology yes but because I’m doing a different degree (healthcare) it’s just added on so can do dissertation/investigation project next year.

Ask Chat GPT to explain the principles in language a ten year old can understand and then answer the question

Is there anyone else in your group that could help?

Are the lectures you missed online anywhere?

Honestly op if you genuinely don't understand the numbers I think all you do is ask for an hour with a tutor or decide the course isn't for you.
Are the lectures accessible online ? How are you going to manage 3rd year if you both don't understand the principles and won't attend any lectures ?

You may have cracked it there, it's just given me a very good explanation of cronbach's alpha!!

I was going to suggest using ChatGPT as a tutor. You can ask it questions and ask it to write little sections which you can then cross-reference and re-write.

We only have to do this module, and only need 40% to pass - classmates/those I know that have graduated have said its never actually used, unless you decide to take a PHD/go into research for a career. Classmates I've spoken to have all said they have had similar issues.

i have no suggestions but that must be very stressful. I hope things work out for you.

I never thought of that, I should have access to last year's zoom recordings yes. Thanks :-)

It's driving me mad! I hate myself sometimes. I've done two essays so far in the last 3 days (and am pleased with them), but they're subject specific and easier. I've put this off for far too long.

correlations, standard deviation, statistical tests is on the AQA A Level spec. Can you get a copy of the textbook to look at? It explains it really simply, not sure if would be in enough depth though. A course mate might have a copy?

Tutor 2 u a level psychology website might help a bit. Again, won't be degree level but will explain the basics

Look carefully at the assessment criteria and concentrate on the bits that you understand well and carry the most marks, get yourself so you have a more basic understanding of the other bits and cover them in less detail. Make sure you are spot on in the stuff it's easy to get full marks on (referencing etc) that lot should get you to the 40% you need for a pass.

It probably feels like a lot of pressure for you but think for a moment. You have literally nothing to lose by turning in an assignment.

Find (if necessary ask your tutor for a copy of the assignment and whatever guidelines are available so you are as clear as possible about what you need to produce.

Start by building the skeleton of the report you need to turn in. Leave the introduction and conclusions, and method statement for now.

Get to the meat of what you are going to say. Do you already have a hypothesis you are going to prove it disprove - it most likely is there in the question you need to answer ?

Start with that in the centre of a large piece of paper. Draw lines out to anything you can think of in the subject. Don't judge anything you write at this point. It's just the start and you will improve it as you go along.

A blank piece of paper is the scariest place to be. Start getting stuff down on paper. Every time you get stuck, write out the question or what it is that you don't know.

Google and ChatGPT is indeed your friend here, not to provide the finished article but to get you started.

When you run out of ideas, start working on the other parts. What method are you going to use. Write that, don't judge what you produce , just think of ways to improve it.

This is absolutely all part of the process, most people go through some kind of crisis of confidence. It will give you confidence in future, if you can get through this without giving up, you can get through anything.

I had a bit of a 'mare writing up a MSc dissertation and followed the route above (in the days before google) I still have the post card reminding me to 'tell a story' and that feeling confused just means I 'don't know and think I should'. Wise words from my tutor which got me started. I still use them when I get stuck at work. .

Oh, and every time I started, i promised myself I only had to write for 45mins then could have a break. But I needed to write for 45mins.

You have got this. All the best.

Also there is an SPSS for Dummies book
Saved my bacon!

"ChatGPT as a tutor"

Yep, was going to suggest that. Ask it about each concept and ask it to explain it to you at a beginner's level, or at a teenager's level.

Ask it questions and for examples. Ask it to explain its working etc

Good luck!

I'm shit at maths, dropped out of higher because I found it totally confusing and boring and I am pretty sure I have mild dyscalculia but I managed to pass a postgraduate levels statistics class involving all of the things you've listed which I then promptly forgot. You can totally do this too!