Introduction to Statistics

Module title	Introduction to Statistics
Module code	INT1003
Academic year	2022/3
Credits	15
Module staff	Michael Samuel Hughes (Convenor)

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

Number students taking module (anticipated)	265

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 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 statistical content 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.

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 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 from the data
10. Calculate and interpret statistical parameters

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

11. 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 and Two-Samples Tests of Hypothesis
Analysis of Variance
Correlation and Linear Regression
Nonparametric Methods: Goodness-of-Fit and independence tests

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

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities (Synchronous)	20	Pre-recorded lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities (Synchronous)	40	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	70	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
18 quizzes covering weekly topics and exam style questions	1 hour each	1-12	Online

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
30	70

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Written examination 1 (open book)	10	1 hour	1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12	Verbal in lectures, on ELE
Written examination 2 (open book)	60	2 hours	2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12	On ELE
Coursework assessments-ELE Quizzes	30	4 assessed ELE Quizzes at 5 hours each	1-12	Online and verbal

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 (open book)	2.5 hour written examination	1-12	Next assessment opportunity

Re-assessment notes

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 (open book). 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

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 (8th Ed.). New York: McGraw Hill Irwin.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Web based and electronic resources:https://vohmrknxu6hheya1997j6a-on.drv.tw/TextBook/Introduction to Statistics-FC7.html

ELE – Course Lectures are available through the Exeter VLE in addition to online assessments.

Web based and electronic resources: ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3291 (Cohort 1)

http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3292 (Cohort 2)

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

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 statistics, descriptive statistics, calculating correlation, regression, average, trends, sampling distribution, probability distribution, mean, confidence intervals, normal distribution, probability, hypothesis testing

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	4
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	16/05/08
Last revision date	24.06.2022