Statistics (P.Grad.Dip) – (Grad.Dip.)

Contents

All students take the Base Module, which is taught on Mondays and Wednesdays during the first 12 week semester, before Christmas. Students must then take two elective modules to complete the course. For the first six weeks of the second semester (after Christmas) there will be a module entitled Introduction to Regression (Tuesdays and Thursdays) and a module on Survey design (Mondays and Wednesdays). These will be followed by a six-week module on the Design and Analysis of Experiments.

ST7001: Base Module
Topics Covered: o Data summaries and graphs
o Statistical models
o Sampling distributions: confidence intervals and tests
o Simple comparative experiments: t-tests, confidence intervals, design issues
o Counted data: confidence intervals and tests for proportions
o Cross-classified frequency data: chi-square tests
o Introduction to Regression Analysis
o Introduction to Analysis of Variance
o Statistical computing laboratory

ST7002: Introduction to Regression
Topics covered:

o Statistical versus deterministic relationships
o Simple linear regression model: assumptions, model fitting, estimation of coefficients and their standard errors
o Confidence intervals and statistical significance tests on model parameters
o Prediction intervals
o Analysis of variance in regression: F-tests, r-squared
o Model validation: residuals, residual plots, normal plots, diagnostics
o Multiple regression analysis - short introduction
o Statistical computing laboratories

ST7003: Design and Analysis of Experiments
Topics covered: o Experimental and observational studies
o Data collection and study design
o Basic designs for experiments
o Randomisation, pairing and blocking
o Exploratory data analysis for experimental data
o Introduction to analysis of variance
o Parameter estimation and significance testing
o Model validation
o Statistical computing laboratories

ST7004: Aspects of Survey Design

This module will focus on data collection using questionnaires. The following topics will be addressed on the course.

o The survey process
o Sample selection
o Measurement issues
o Designing paper and web based questionnaires
This module will include a computer laboratory element that will show students how to develop online questionnaires.

The model will be assessed on the basis of a project. Each student will be required to carry out a survey of their choice and write a detailed report on the development of the questionnaire. The number of students is limited to 30. Should more than 30 students apply, participants will be chosen at random.