BA Modern Language and Business & Management (Portuguese)

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Advanced Statistics

Course unit fact file
Unit code ECON10072A
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 1
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? Yes

Overview

Introduction to fundamental methods of statistics, which are the basis of techniques widely used in the analysis of economic and social data. Students will learn the basics of statistical theory, but will also learn how to use a spreadsheet software (EXCEL) in order to apply these methods to real-life data.

The module is designed for students who have Maths A-Level or equivalent.

 

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Advanced Mathematics ECON10071A Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Co-requisites: ECON10071

Aims

Introduction to fundamental methods of statistics, which are the basis of techniques widely used in the analysis of economic and social data. Students will learn the basics of statistical theory, but will also learn how to use a spreadsheet software (EXCEL) in order to apply these methods to real-life data.

The course is designed for students who have Maths A-Level or equivalent.

 

Learning outcomes

Students should be able to

i) construct and understand essential descriptive statistics for sample data (means, variances, correlations, regression coefficients),

ii) manipulate conditional and unconditional probability,

iii) obtain and manipulate probabilities from important statistical distributions (including the Binomial, Normal and Student-t),

iv) understand and apply key statistical concepts to real-life data,

v) construct and interpret confidence intervals for population means and proportions,
vi) carry out and interpret simple hypothesis tests of relevance in the social sciences.

vii) implement the statistical techniques covered in a spreadsheet software to real-life data

 

Syllabus

Syllabus

The module’s notes  are headed as follows:

1. Introduction and Descriptive Statistics, 

2. Probability and Discrete Random Variables (means and variances),

3. Continuous Random Variables (means, variances, Normal distribution),

4. Expectations and Combinations of Variables (means, variances, covariances, correlation, independence),

5. Sampling Distributions (sample mean and proportion),

6. Hypothesis Testing (sample means and proportions, large sample tests),

7. More Statistical Inference (confidence intervals, p-values, regression inference) 

 

Teaching and learning methods

Synchronous activities (such as Lectures or Review and Q&A sessions, and tutorials), and guided self-study

Employability skills

Analytical skills
Synthesis and analysis of data and information.
Problem solving
Other
Numeracy. Time Management. Spreadsheet Skills.

Assessment methods

3 assessments of 10% each

70% Final Exam

The criteria used by Economics in the assessment of examinations and coursework can be found on the UG Intranet in your programme handbook (BSc Economics, BA(ECON) 

Feedback methods

  • Exercise classes.
  • Online quizzes.
  • PASS groups.
  • Office hours.
     

Recommended reading

All students are expected to use the detailed course notes. These form the basis of the lecture and tutorial material.

Many introductory statistics books cover the material in the module. Multiple copies of the following texts are available in the Main and Precinct Centre libraries:

Newbold, Carlson and Thorne (2009), Statistics for Business and Economics ,

Wonnacott and Wonnacott (1990), Introductory Statistics for Business and Economics

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Ralf Becker Unit coordinator
Prasenjit Banerjee Unit coordinator

Additional notes

For every 10 course unit credits we expect students to work for around 100 hours. This time generally includes any contact times (online or face to face, recorded and live), but also independent study, work for coursework, and group work. This amount is only a guidance and individual study time will vary.

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