00914 - Statistics (F-N)

Learning outcomes

The course provides an introduction to the main methods and basic tools of the quantitative study of collective phenomena, with the dual objective of developing the ability to critically interpret and evaluate statistical information and provide the student with specific skills for autonomous production and processing of statistical data. At the end of the course the student is expected to: - know the basic elements of descriptive and inferential statistics, - be able to read and understand articles in magazines and / or specialized publications containing results of quantitative analysis, - be able to critically evaluate syntheses and statistical elaborations of census data or samples, - has acquired the necessary skills to autonomously apply some of the tools of the statistical methodology for the description and the quantitative study of economic and social phenomena.

Course contents

Univariate descriptive statistics

Statistical distributions.

Statistical tables and graphs. Parametric and analytical representation.

Variability measures, Shape indices, Relationships among parameters.

Index numbers.

Bivariate descriptive statistics

Analysis of dependence and interdependence between variables.

Probability

Definitions of probability.

Discrete and continuous random variables, probability functions, probability density and distribution.

Some particular probability distributions.

Central limit theorem.

Population, sample, sample distributions.

Statistical inference

Point estimates

Statistical tests on parameters test of independence for categorical variables.

Readings/Bibliography

Giuseppe Cicchitelli, Statistica: principi e metodi. Pearson publisher, second edition, 2012 or later editions.

Teaching methods

Lectures and practical

Assessment methods

Oral exam aimed at assessing the level of knowledge of the statistical methods of the course programme and the student's ability to apply them. The student may be asked to perform exercises like those performed in class during the practicals. The mark is out of thirty. A student passes the exam only in case is able to achieve at least the minimum mark for the questions concerning the three fundamental areas of the program: descriptive statistics, probability and statistical inference. If the student does not show sufficient knowledge of descriptive statistics, he/she is not admitted to the discussion of probability and statistical inference. The highest mark is achieved if an exhaustive preparation is complemented by the knowledge of the statistical language and the ability to identify the links among the various topics.

Manuals, notes, calculators, smartphones and other communication media are not allowed.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint files that will not be made available

Office hours

See the website of Elisabetta Carfagna