Statistics for Social Sciences I (E563)

Course Organization

Time & Location:
Lecture: Monday, 16:15-18:00, AJF
Review Session: Friday, 12:15-14:00, S1

Instructors:
Professor Urs Luterbacher
Office: Rigot 25
Office hours: Tuesday 16:15-18:00
Telephone: 022 908 59 40
Email: luterbac@hei.unige.ch

Teaching Assistant:
Salvatore Dell’Erba
Office: Rigot 27
Office hours: Friday, 14:30-16:30
Telephone: 022 908 59 12
Email: dellerb6@hei.unige.ch

Course Description

This course introduces the student to statistical thinking, its application in social research, and basic statistics. Learning how to think statistically is the central goal, rather than learning statistical calculations by rote. Students should learn the logic of statistical reasoning about data, to be better consumers and producers of data analysis. The course should also provide a strong foundation for those who choose to take additional courses in statistical methods.

Textbook

The textbook for the course is Wonnacott and Wonnacott (1990) Introductory Statistics, John Wiley & Sons; 5th Edition Edition (29 April 1990).

Students are encouraged to buy the book. No polycopiés will be distributed. The book is also available in the library.

Course Grade

The grading will be based on a combination of weekly assignments and a final examination.

• 50% Weekly Assignments
• 50% Final Exam

Each class period will be a combination of lecture and sometimes computer demonstrations. The lecture portion will cover the central points of each week’s readings. The demonstrations will show you graphical depiction of data and statistical analysis in the statistical package Eviews 5.1, available on the computers of HEI.

The weekly assignments will be a combination of written and computer exercises. Learning by doing is the only way to really learn statistics, making these assignments a necessity. You may work in groups on the assignments, but everyone must turn in his/her own paper. They are due in class the week after I distribute them and returned at the class after they are due. Late assignments will not be accepted. We will drop your lowest score on an assignment when calculating the final grades. Answer sheets will be provided, and the assistant will conduct a review session for those who would like to go over them. The final examination will be held in the classroom on the Tuesday after classes end.

Course Outline

Week 1 (October 1):
Introductory Meeting: Purpose of Statistics

Week 2 (October 8):
Types of Data, Descriptive Statistics and Introduction to EVIEWS

• Reading: Chapters 1 and 2

Week 3 (October 15):
Probability

• Reading: Chapter 3

Week 4 (October 22):
Distributions

• Reading: Chapter 4

Week 5 (October 29):
Two Random Variables and Correlations

• Reading: Chapter 5

Week 6 (Nov. 5):
Sampling

• Reading: Chapter 6

Week 7 (Nov. 12):
Point Estimation

• Reading: Chapter 7

Week 8 (Nov. 19):
Interval Estimation

• Reading: Chapter 8

Week 9 (Nov. 26):
Hypothesis Testing

• Reading: Chapter 9

Week 10 (Dec. 3):
Regression: Elementary Notions

• Reading: Chapter 11

Week 11 (Dec. 10):
Regression: Theory

• Reading: Chapter 12

Week 12 (Dec. 17)
Multiple Regression and Advanced Topics

• Reading: Chapter 13 and 17

The final exam is in class on Tuesday, Dec. 18 from 10:15 to 12:00.