Course co-ordinator(s): Alex Jose (Edinburgh), Dr Haslifah Hasim (Dubai).
Aims:
The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to the statistical issues associated with the collection, description, and interpretation of data. In addition, this course aims to introduce statistical computing with a view to describing data using various graphical and numerical methods.
Summary:
The aim of statistical analysis is to provide insight by means of numbers . This process usually involves three stages:
- Collecting data
- Describing and presenting data
- Drawing conclusions from the data (inference).
In this course, we will (primarily) consider the statistical principles and techniques used in the first two stages of statistical analysis. There will be some discussion of inference at the end of the course.
Detailed Information
Course Description: Link to Official Course Descriptor.
Pre-requisites: none.
Location: Dubai, Edinburgh.
Semester: 1.
Syllabus:
- Introduction to the concept of statistics
– The use and role of statistics in real life.
– The purpose of statistical science (data collection, data description and inference using data). - Collecting data
– The concept of a statistical population and sample; distinction between parameter and statistic.
– Issues related to sampling (random sampling versus other sampling methods – e.g. stratified or quota sampling).
– Data from experiments and observational studies.
– Types of data/variables (quantitative and qualitative; measurement scales; continuous and discrete). - Describing and understanding data
– Graphical summaries of data (frequency tables, histograms, stem-plots, etc).
– Graphical displays using computers – introduction to Excel
– Numerical summaries of data: sample mean, median, variance, quartiles. - Describing and understanding data from two-dimensional populations
– Graphical exploration of relationships between two variables: cross- tabulations and scatterplots.
– The sample correlation coefficient.
– Introduction to the concepts of association and causation.
– Least-squares regression lines and prediction. - Drawing conclusions from data – an introduction to statistical inference.
Reading list:
Statistics: Concepts and Controversies by David S. Moore and William Notz. 6th edition. W.H. Freeman and Co.
SCQF Level: 7.
Credits: 15.
Other Information
Help: If you have any problems or questions regarding the course, you are encouraged to contact the course leader.
Canvas: further information and course materials are available on Canvas