EXC 2904 Statistics

APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2012/2013

EXC 2904 Statistics

Responsible for the course
Svein Lund

Department
Department of Economics

Term
According to study plan

ECTS Credits
7,5

Language of instruction
English

Introduction
This course gives an introduction to statistics. Main themes are descriptive statistics, probability and hypothesis testing. Formulas and formal procedures play an important role, but the emphasis is on developing statistical literacy and critical thinking.

Learning outcome
Acquired knowledge:
  • To understand the relevance of statistical analysis in economics and marketing
  • Knowledge of basic concepts and overview of statistics
  • Understanding the difference between a population and a sample
  • Understanding what a random variable and a statistical model is
  • Understanding that statistical methods are based on assumptions that must be checked
  • Understanding what estimation and hypothesis testing is about
  • To be able to reflect on the role of randomness
  • To be acquainted with the statistical and mathematical notations used in statistics

    Acquired skills:
  • To be able to discern randomness from real underlying effects
  • To be able to use statistical software and interpret computer displays from such software
  • To be able to produce statistical graphics
  • To be able to compute probabilities and confidence intervals
  • To be able to conduct the most basic types of hypothesis testing and estimation

    Reflection:
  • To understand that statistical methods can be wrongly applied and lead to false conclusions
  • To understand that in many situations a statistical analysis will help making better decisions

    Prerequisites
    No particular prerequisites.

    Compulsory reading
    Books:
    Sharpe, Norean R., Richard D. De Veaux, Paul F. Velleman. 2012. Business statistics. 2nd ed. Pearson

    Recommended reading

    Course outline
  • Graphical and descriptive statistics
  • Random samples and populations
  • Discrete and continuous random variables
  • Probability
  • Statistical models
  • Estimation
  • Confidence intervals
  • Hypothesis testing
  • Correlation and regression
  • Chi square tests

    Computer-based tools
    The course uses modern statistical software (SAS JMP). It's Learning/homepage.

    Learning process and workload
    There are 48 course hours, 38 of which are ordinary lectures where the syllabus is covered. The remaining 10 hours will be dedicated to SAS JMP demonstrations in class.

    For each week there will be given a work programme with literature references and exercises. In the lectures the theory will be exemplified by a set of SAS JMP data samples with exercises. The final exam is loosely based on these SAS JMP examples.

    Work requirements:
    There are 8 mandatory multiple choice tests to be answered in It's Learning.
    If a test is not approved in the first try, the student can retry. It is mandatory that the student get approved at least 5 of these tests in order to take the final exam.

    The students' workload in hours:
    Activity
    Use of hours
    Lectures and SAS JMP demos
    48
    Multiple-choice tests on Blackboard
    50
    SPSS work
    42
    Textbook study
    40
    Preparing for the final exam
    20
    Total recommended use of hours
    200

      Coursework requirements
      It is mandatory that the student must get approved at least 5 of 8 tests in order to take the final exam.

      Examination
      A five-hour individual written examination concludes the course.

      Examination code(s)
      EXC 29041 - Written exam, counts for 100% towards the final grade in EXC 2904 Statistics, 7,5 credits.

      Examination support materials
      All aids + calculator TEXAS INSTRUMENTS BA II Plus™ are permitted.
      Examination support materials at written examinations are specified under exam information in our web-based Student Handbook. Please note use of calculator and dictionary. http://www.bi.edu/studenthandbook/examaids.

      Re-sit examination
      A re-sit (written examinations) is only possible at the next time the course is offered.
      Multiple-choice tests (work requirements) are only possible the next time the course is offered.
      Students that have not passed the written examination or who wish to improve their grade must retake the exam in connection with the next scheduled examination.

      Additional information

      • Semester

      Oversettelser