Introduction to Statistics

Module title	Introduction to Statistics
Module code	INT1003
Academic year	2020/1
Credits	15
Module staff	Michael Samuel Hughes (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	12	12	0

Number students taking module (anticipated)	80

Description - summary of the module content

Module description

Statistics inform decision makers in all areas of society, for example, Government policymakers, investment planners, business managers, education providers or healthcare managers. In this module you will learn how to summarise and analyse data, test hypotheses and find relationships between different features in a business context. You will learn how to use statistics to draw conclusions, make sensible business decisions and justify your decisions in your business presentations.

This module is the equivalent of BEE1022. No prior knowledge of statistics is assumed for this module.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module is an introduction to the basic concepts of statistics and will give a strong foundation to the statistics that will be continued in the second year of a business degree. It will provide students with an understanding of the statistical methodologies used in economics, in the business and management environments, and also other disciplines of study. A combination of theoretical and extensive hands-on practice is used, using Excel software with a variety of data types and statistical methods.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Compute and graph salient features of experimental and survey data, manually
2. Carry out a hypothesis test in a variety of contexts
3. Calculate basic statistics and use them to compare data sets
4. Apply certain parametric and non-parametric statistical tests
5. Interpret the results of certain statistical tests in a variety of situations
6. Fit and interpret bivariate and multivariate regression models
7. Develop a strong foundation in probability

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

8. Apply fundamental statistical methods
9. Analyse data and draw conclusions
10. Calculate and interpret statistical parameters

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

11. Understand and develop a toolkit for data analysis
12. Present information in different formats

Syllabus plan

Introduction to Statistics, Scales of measurement.
Descriptive Statistics: Frequency Tables, Frequency Distributions.
Descriptive Statistics: Numerical Measures.
Descriptive Statistics: Graphical Methods.
Discrete and continuous random variables.
Discrete and continuous probability distributions.
Classical probability concepts.
Sampling Methods and the Central Limit Theorem.
Estimation and Confidence Intervals.
One-Sample and Two-Samples Tests of Hypothesis.
Analysis of Variance.
Correlation and Linear Regression.
Nonparametric Methods: Goodness-of-Fit tests and tests of relationship

Learning and teaching

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
60	90	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities (Synchronous)	20	Lectures and workshop activities
Scheduled learning and teaching activities (Synchronous)	20	Seminar these will be teacher led. You should prepare for each seminar based on the related lecture.
Formative assessed activities (Asynchronous)	20	Working on solving problems, online activities.
Guided Independent Study	90	Reading and research, practice of techniques, web-based activities

Assessment

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
4 case studies	5 hours each	1-12	Online and verbal
7-8 Quizzes	1 hour each	1-12	Online and verbal

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
30	70	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Written Examination 1 (online, open book)	10	2 hour	1, 2, 6-8, 10	Verbal in lectures, on ELE
Written Examination 2 (online, open book)	60	4 hours	3, 4, 9, 10	On ELE
Coursework assessments (online)	30	30 hours in total	1-12	Online

Re-assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Written Examination (online. open book)	Written examination (4 hour)	1-12	Next assessment opportunity

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for reasons judged legitimate by the Mitigation Committee, the applicable assessment will normally be deferred. See ‘Details of reassessment’ for the form that assessment usually takes. When deferral occurs there is ordinarily no change to the overall weighting of that assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to take a re-sit exam. Only your performance in this exam will count towards your final module grade. A grade of 40% will be awarded if the examination is passed.

Resources

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Hughes M. (2019). An Introduction to Statistics. Pearson

Lind, D. A., Marchal, W. G. & Wathen, S. A. (2013). Basic Statistics for Business & Economics (8^th Ed.). New York: McGraw Hill Irwin.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

https://vohmrknxu6hheya1997j6a-on.drv.tw/TextBook/Introduction to Statistics-FC7.html

Course Lectures and worklog is available through ELE in addition to online assessments.

http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3291

Module has an active ELE page

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

Other resources, through both self research and those presented or referenced to by the lecturer

Key words search

Statistics business measurement percentages pie charts tables descriptive diagrams calculating correlation regression logarithms time charts average trends deterministic sampling distribution mean confidence intervals normally probabilities testing

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	4
Available as distance learning?	Yes
Origin date	16/05/08
Last revision date	30/07/2020