Introduction to Statistics

Module title	Introduction to Statistics
Module code	BEE1022
Academic year	2023/4
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr Sarah Schneider-Strawczynski (Convenor) Dr Eva Poen (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	11	0	0

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) or Statistics for Business (BEM1024).

This module requires students to have at least a Grade B in A-Level Mathematics (or equivalent). This module is not available to maths students.

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).

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 Excel with a variety of data types.

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 hypothesis tests and interpret their results
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
8. Demonstrate understanding of the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of different quantitative methods

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

9. Demonstrate quantitative, computational and computer literacy skills

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 Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
32	118	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activity	22	Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activity	10	Tutorials
Guided independent study	118	Reading, question practice, class and assessment preparation

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Weekly tutorial exercises	50 minutes	1-9	In class

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
20	70	10

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Five online homework quizzes	20	ca. 30 minutes each	1-9	ELE
Excel test	10	2 hours	1,2,6,9	ELE
Final examination	70	2 hours	1-5, 7-9	Final grade; feedback will be posted on ELE

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
Five online homework quizzes (20%)	Single online homework quiz (20%)	1-9	August/September reassessment period
Excel test (10%)	Excel test (online) (2 hours, 10%)	1,2,6,9	August/September reassessment period
Final examination (70%)	Examination (2 hours, 70%)	1-5, 7-9	August/September reassessment period

Re-assessment notes

Referrals and deferrals will normally take place in the August/September Reassessment Period

The Excel Test requires access to Excel and ELE.

If you pass the module overall you will not be referred in any component – even if you have not passed one or more individual components.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Indicative reading list: selected chapters of some or all of the following textbooks:

Utts, Jessica M and Heckard, Robert F. (2015), Mind on Statistics, 5^th edition, Cengage Learning. ISBN: 978-1-285-46318-6
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
Peck, R., Short, T. and Olsen, C. (2020), Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis, 6^th edition, Cengage Learning. ISBN: 978-1-337-79361-2
Anderson, D., Sweeney, D., Williams, T., Camm, J., Cochran, J., Fry, M. and Ohlmann, (2020) ‘Essentials of Statistics for Business and Economics’, Cengage Learning, ISBN: 978-0-357-04543-5

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE – College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

None

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	Grade B or higher in A-Level Mathematics (or equivalent)
Module co-requisites	Cannot be taken with BEE1025, BEM1024 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	03/05/2023