Study information

Introduction to Statistics

Module titleIntroduction to Statistics
Module codeBEE1022
Academic year2019/0
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Eva Poen (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

350

Module description

Summary: 
This module aims to provide knowledge of how to summarise and analyse data, to provide an insight into the concepts of probability and stochastic independence, understanding of statistical methodologies for testing hypotheses, and to provide skills in using statistical software.

Please note that this module cannot be taken with Statistics for Business and Management (BEE1025) or Introduction to Statistics for Accountants (BEA1012).

This module requires students to have at least a Grade B in A-Level Mathematics (or equivalent).

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

The content of this module is universal and applicable around the world. It includes international examples with real statistical data from countries such as China, India, Europe and the UK.

Employability

Knowledge of statistics is essential for any business or economics student, so this module provides students with a valuable theoretical and practical understanding of the subject, as well as weekly assignments that enable them to work consistently with continuity and discipline.

Sustainability

All of the lecture notes and tutorial sets are available on the ELE (Exeter Learning Environment).

[PLEASE NOTE THIS MODULE IS NOT AVAILABLE TO MATHS STUDENTS]

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module aims to provide students with an understanding of the role of statistical methodologies in economics through both the study of the theory of probability and statistics, and hands-on practice using the Excel and Stata with a variety of data types and models.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

  • 1. construct charts and calculate appropriate descriptive statistics to summarise a data set
  • 2. understand discrete and continuous random variable, their distributions and moments
  • 3. solve a range of problems involving probability
  • 4. understand covariance, correlation, conditional probabilities and conditional expectations
  • 5. conduct and interpret the results of hypothesis testing
  • 6. demonstrate the ability to utilise a software package (Excel and Stata) for a range of statistical applications

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

  • 7. demonstrate awareness of the role of numerical evidence in economics

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

  • 8. demonstrate quantitative, computational and computer literacy skills
  • 9. demonstrate written communication skill

Syllabus plan

  • An Introduction to Statistics
  • Descriptive Statistics: Tabular and Graphical Methods
  • Descriptive Statistics: Numerical Methods 
  • Introduction to Probability
  • Discrete Probability Distributions
  • Continuous Probability Distributions
  • Sampling and Sampling Distributions
  • Interval Estimation
  • Hypothesis Tests
  • Statistical Inference about Means and Proportions with two Populations
  • Inferences about Population Variances
  • Tests of Goodness of Fit and Independence
  • Analysis of Variance and Experimental Design
  • Main Non-parametric Methods of Inference

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
281220

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Contact hours22Lectures
Contact hours10Tutorials
Guided independent study118Independent study

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Weekly multi choice quizzes (online)10 minutes2,3,5,6,7ELE
Bi-Weekly tutorial exercises50 minutes6,7In class

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
01000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Examination702 hours1-3,5,6,7,8Final grade; Exam Solutions will be posted on ELE
Two Lab Class Multi Choice Quizzes205-10 minutes4,7ELE
Weekly Homework (online)1020 minutes2,3,5,6,7ELE

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

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Examination, Homework and Multi Choice QuizzesExamination (100%) 2 hours1-8August examination period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

The module content draws on two main texts:

Barrow, M. (2017) Statistics for Economics, Accounting & Business Studies, 7th edition, Harlow: Pearson Education.

Cortinhas, C. and Black, K. (2012), Statistics for Business and Economic, 1st European Edition, Chichester: John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. ISBN: 978-1-119-99366-7.

Students will also find useful the material in:

Anderson, D., Sweeney, D., Williams, T., Freeman, J. and E. Shoesmith (2010) ‘Statistics for Business and Economics’, second edition, University of Exeter Customized Edition, Cengage Learning, Andover, Hampshire, ISBN: 978-1-4080-3616-7.

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module co-requisites

Cannot be taken with BEE1025 or BEA1012.

This module is not available to Maths students.

NQF level (module)

4

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

01/09/2006

Last revision date

18/02/2019