EC122: Statistical Techniques A
Subham Kailthya
Module Leader
Introduction
This module allows the students to become familiar with the basic concepts of statistics, including graphical analysis and simple calculations conducted on the data. It is intended to provide the students with basic data analysis skills as well as the foundations, necessary for the second year econometrics module.
Principal Aims
To provide the requisite quantitative background for a thorough and rigorous study of economic analysis, econometric methods and applied economics subjects, commensurate with joint honours courses with Economics.
Principal Learning Outcomes
:...acquire the tools of quantitative methods necessary to study core and optional first and second year modules in economics for the single honours course in Economics.
:...develop further their techniques of statistical methods and statistical modelling;
:...generate an awareness and analysis of data and of data handling.
Syllabus
Descriptive Statistics; Measures of location, dispersion, and asymmetry. Measurement of inequality, the Lorenz curve and the Gini coefficient; Probability theory; The concept of probability, events, The rules of probability. Independent events. Random variables and probability distributions. Discrete random variables: Bernoulli, binomial, Poisson. Expectations and variance. Continuous random variables: uniform, Gaussian (‘Normal’) distributions; The distinction between risk and uncertainty. Bivariate probability distributions; joint, marginal and conditional probability distributions; covariance and correlation. Statistical Inference; Sampling and sampling distributions for means and proportions. Applications of the t, ch-square and F distributions; Point estimation and confidence intervals; Hypothesis testing. Type I and Type II errors. Significance level and power of a test; Two variable correlation and regression. Testing for dependence between two variables.
Context
- Optional Core Module
- R9L1 - Year 1, R3L4 - Year 1, R4L1 - Year 1, R1L4 - Year 1, L1L8 - Year 1
- Pre or Co-requisites
- At least a grade A in GCSE Mathematics, or equivalent.
Assessment
- Assessment Method
- Coursework (30%) + Online Examination (70%)
- Coursework Details
- Online Examination (70%) , Set of 6 problem sets (6%) , Test 1 (12%) , Test 2 (12%)
- Exam Timing
- Summer
Exam Rubric
Time Allowed: 2 hours
Read all instructions carefully - and read through the entire paper at least once before you start entering your answers.
There are TWO sections in this paper. Answer ALL TEN questions in Section A (40 marks in total) and ALL FOUR questions in Section B (60 marks in total).
Answer each whole question in a separate booklet.
Approved pocket calculators are allowed.
Statistical tables and a formula sheet are provided.
Previous exam papers can be found in the University’s past papers archive. Please note that previous exam papers may not have operated under the same exam rubric or assessment weightings as those for the current academic year. The content of past papers may also be different.