Students
STAT170 – Introductory Statistics
2014 – S2 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Petra Graham
Contact via petra.graham@mq.edu.au
E4A 543
TBD
Other Staff
Anne Karpin
Contact via anne.karpin@mq.edu.au
E4A 539
TBD
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| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides a broad introduction to statistical concepts and data analysis techniques, providing basic statistical knowledge. The unit is concerned with the development of an understanding of statistical practice and is illustrated by a study of those techniques most commonly used in the sciences, social sciences and humanities. The aim of statistical practice is to make the scientific research process efficient; for this reason statistics is used in disciplines ranging from accountancy to zoology.
Topics covered in this unit include: data collection methods; data quality; data summarisation; and statistical models like the normal distribution, followed by sampling distributions and statistical inferences about means, proportions and quantiles. Also studied are methods of analysis relating to comparisons, counted data and relationships, including regression and correlation.
Statistical computer packages are used for handling and analysing data along with word processing for reporting the results. However, no prior computing knowledge is assumed.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- organise and summarise data graphically and numerically
- use appropriate techniques to analyse data
- use Minitab to manipulate and analyse data
- draw conclusions from the results of data analysis
- write a report based on the results of a statistical analysis
- apply statistical techniques to problems arising from diverse fields of research
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Hurdle Tests | 10% | Week 2, 4, 7, 10 and 13 |
| Assignment 1 | 6% | Wednesday Week 6 by 5pm |
| Assignment 2 | 12% | Wednesday Week 11 by 5pm |
| Class Test | 12% | Tutorial class Week 9 |
| Final Examination | 60% | University Examination Period |
5 Hurdle Tests
Due: Week 2, 4, 7, 10 and 13
Weighting: 10%
The Hurdle Tests are online quizzes that will be made available on iLearn at least two weeks prior to the due dates (Fridays at midnight in the relevant weeks). Students are allowed an unlimited number of attempts at each test until the deadline. The pass mark is indicated on each hurdle test. Inability to pass a test necessitates visiting one of the statistics lecturers' consultation hours. The highest score obtained will count towards the final grade. Each time a student attempts a test a new version of it will be generated. The quizzes are designed to give students an opportunity to practice theoretical, mechanical and interpretational aspects of statistics. Each test is worth 2%. Extensions will only be granted for cases in which an application for disruption to studies has been approved.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- use appropriate techniques to analyse data
- draw conclusions from the results of data analysis
- apply statistical techniques to problems arising from diverse fields of research
Assignment 1
Due: Wednesday Week 6 by 5pm
Weighting: 6%
Assignment 1 provides students with an opportunity to develop and to apply sound statistical practice. This assessment task reinforces the concepts covered in lectures and the skills learned from the practical material. The assignment will be made available on iLearn two weeks prior to the due date. Submission is to be made through the iLearn turnitin link before the due date and time, more details will be made available in the assignment. Penalties apply for late submissions. Assignments submitted on Wednesday after the deadline incur a 5 mark penalty. Assignments submitted on Thursday incur a 10 mark penalty. Assignments submitted after Thursday will be awarded a mark of 0. Extensions will only be granted for cases in which an application for disruption to studies has been approved.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- organise and summarise data graphically and numerically
- use appropriate techniques to analyse data
- use Minitab to manipulate and analyse data
- draw conclusions from the results of data analysis
- apply statistical techniques to problems arising from diverse fields of research
Assignment 2
Due: Wednesday Week 11 by 5pm
Weighting: 12%
Assignment 2 provides students with an opportunity to develop and to apply sound statistical practice. It reinforces the concepts covered in lectures and the skills learned from the practical material. This assignment requires students to use Minitab to analyse data using appropriate techniques and part of the assignment must be submitted in the form of a statistical report. The assignment will be made available on iLearn two weeks prior to the due date. Submission must be via the iLearn turnitin link only and details will be given in the assignment. Penalties apply for late submissions and are as for Assignment 1. Extensions will only be granted for cases in which an application for disruption to studies has been approved.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- organise and summarise data graphically and numerically
- use appropriate techniques to analyse data
- use Minitab to manipulate and analyse data
- draw conclusions from the results of data analysis
- write a report based on the results of a statistical analysis
- apply statistical techniques to problems arising from diverse fields of research
Class Test
Due: Tutorial class Week 9
Weighting: 12%
The Class Test will be held in your tutorial class in week 9. You must sit the class test in the tutorial class you are registered in. A page of formulae and relevant statistical tables will be provided in the class test. A statistics calculator may be taken into the class test. No other material (apart from writing equipment) will be permitted in the class test. A supplementary class test will be given for students with an approved disruption to studies application.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- use appropriate techniques to analyse data
- draw conclusions from the results of data analysis
- apply statistical techniques to problems arising from diverse fields of research
Final Examination
Due: University Examination Period
Weighting: 60%
The Final Examination will be a three hour written exam (plus ten minutes reading time) and will be held during the examination period which runs from the 17th November to 5th December 2014. A page of formulae and relevant statistical tables will be attached to the final examination. Students will be permitted to take one A4 sheet (any colour), handwritten on both sides (using pens and/or pencils) into the final examination. This sheet must be submitted with your final exam paper at the conclusion of the exam. A statistics calculator may also be taken into the final examination. See the week 13 iLearn important information for more details on preparing for the final exam.
The University Examination timetable will be available in draft form approximately eight weeks before the commencement of the examinations and in final form approximately four weeks before the commencement of the examinations at:http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
Students are advised that it is Macquarie University policy not to set early examinations for individuals or groups of students. All students are expected to ensure that they are available until the end of the teaching semester, i.e. the final day of the official examination period.
The only excuse for not sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these special circumstances you may apply for Disruption to Studies via ask.mq.edu.au. A supplementary examination will only be granted if the student has been found to have had a significant disruption to studies. If a supplementary examination is granted as a result of the disruption to studies process, the examination will be scheduled approximately two weeks after the conclusion of the official examination period.
Note that there is a University policy regarding requests for special consideration for examinations and the granting of supplementary examinations, which can be found at: http://students.mq.edu.au/student_admin/exams/disruption_to_studies/.
Students can submit disruption to studies request(s) through the following link: https://ask.mq.edu.au/
Grading in this Unit
The final Standardised Numerical Grade (SNG) in Stat170 will be based on students’ work during the semester and in the Final Examination. The determination of the final SNG will be based on performance of individual assessment tasks against criteria and standards as detailed in the Grading Policy (see http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html). Final grades will be awarded on the basis of students’ overall performance and the extent to which they demonstrate fulfillment of the learning outcomes listed for this unit.
Please note that students must perform satisfactorily in the Final Exam as well as the coursework in order to pass the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- use appropriate techniques to analyse data
- draw conclusions from the results of data analysis
- apply statistical techniques to problems arising from diverse fields of research
Delivery and Resources
Classes
Students should enrol in and attend the following classes each week:
- 1 x 2 hour lecture beginning in Week 1 (students enrolled in the iLecture option listen to lectures through the ECHO recordings rather than attending a class)
- 1 x 1 hour compulsory tutorial beginning in Week 2
- 1 x 1 hour compulsory practical beginning in Week 2
The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au
Students can change their tutorial and practical classes by using eStudent at: https://student1.mq.edu.au/
Prizes
Don McNeil Prize for Introductory Statistics
This prize is named in honour of the foundation Professor of Statistics at Macquarie University, Don McNeil, who has had an enormous impact on the teaching of first year statistics. The prize is awarded twice a year to the student with the best overall performance in the unit.
Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials
- A calculator with statistics mode is essential and should be brought to all classes.
- The statistical software package Minitab can be downloaded from: http://students.mq.edu.au/home/ (click on Software Downloads).
Textbook used in this unit:
- Modern Statistics: An introduction, Don McNeil and Jenny Middledorp (ISBN 9781486007011). This can be purchased in hard copy from, for example, the Coop Bookshop or in e-format (ISBN 9781486022120, access details to be provided in class).
Recommended reading:
- Introduction to the Practice of Statistics, Moore, D.S. and McCabe, G. P (W.H. Freeman)
- Statistics without Tears by Rowntree (Penguin)
- Mind on Statistics by Utts & Heckard (Thomson, 2004)
- Elementary Statistics by Johnson & Kuby (Thomson, 2007)
- Statistics: The Art & Science of Learning from Data by Agresti & Franklin (Prentice Hall, 2007)
- The Statistical Sleuth by Ramsey and Schafer (Duxbury, 2002)
Technology Used and Required
Unit Web Page
Information relating to Stat170 can be found by visiting the Macquarie University Statistics Department web site. The URL for this site is: http://www.stat.mq.edu.au/
iLearn (which is a version of Moodle) is used for delivery of STAT170 course material and can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
Unit Schedule
|
WEEK |
LECTURE TOPIC |
Assessment Due |
|
1 |
Introduction to statistics |
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2 |
Graphing data |
Hurdle 1 due Friday 15th August |
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3 |
Numerical summaries |
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4 |
The Normal distribution |
Hurdle 2 due Friday 29th August |
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5 |
Distribution of means and proportions |
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6 |
Confidence intervals |
Assignment 1 due by 5pm September 10th |
| Semester Break |
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| 7 | One sample hypothesis test for a population mean | Hurdle 3 due Friday 19th September |
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8 |
Hypothesis tests for comparing population means |
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9 |
Simple linear regression (Part 1) |
Class Test (held during Tutorials in Week 9) |
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10 |
Simple linear regression (Part 2) |
Hurdle 4 due Friday 24th October |
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11 |
Hypothesis tests for a population proportion: z-test and chi-squared goodness-of fit |
Assignment 2 due by 5pm Wednesday 29th October |
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12 |
Chi-squared test of independence |
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13 |
Review of STAT170 |
Hurdle 5 due Friday 14th November |
Learning and Teaching Activities
Lectures
Tutorials
Practicals
Help with STAT170 related administrative matters
Staff consultation (office) hours
Numeracy Centre
Computing Laboratories
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- draw conclusions from the results of data analysis
- write a report based on the results of a statistical analysis
- apply statistical techniques to problems arising from diverse fields of research
Assessment tasks
- 5 Hurdle Tests
- Assignment 1
- Assignment 2
- Final Examination
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- apply statistical techniques to problems arising from diverse fields of research
Assessment tasks
- 5 Hurdle Tests
- Assignment 2
- Class Test
- Final Examination
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- organise and summarise data graphically and numerically
- use appropriate techniques to analyse data
- use Minitab to manipulate and analyse data
- draw conclusions from the results of data analysis
- write a report based on the results of a statistical analysis
- apply statistical techniques to problems arising from diverse fields of research
Assessment tasks
- 5 Hurdle Tests
- Assignment 1
- Assignment 2
- Class Test
- Final Examination
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- use appropriate techniques to analyse data
- use Minitab to manipulate and analyse data
- draw conclusions from the results of data analysis
- write a report based on the results of a statistical analysis
- apply statistical techniques to problems arising from diverse fields of research
Assessment tasks
- 5 Hurdle Tests
- Assignment 1
- Assignment 2
- Class Test
- Final Examination
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- use appropriate techniques to analyse data
- use Minitab to manipulate and analyse data
- draw conclusions from the results of data analysis
- write a report based on the results of a statistical analysis
- apply statistical techniques to problems arising from diverse fields of research
Assessment tasks
- 5 Hurdle Tests
- Assignment 1
- Assignment 2
- Class Test
- Final Examination
Creative and Innovative
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- write a report based on the results of a statistical analysis
- apply statistical techniques to problems arising from diverse fields of research
Assessment tasks
- Assignment 1
- Assignment 2
- Final Examination
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- organise and summarise data graphically and numerically
- write a report based on the results of a statistical analysis
- apply statistical techniques to problems arising from diverse fields of research
Assessment tasks
- Assignment 1
- Assignment 2
- Final Examination
Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- apply statistical techniques to problems arising from diverse fields of research
Assessment tasks
- 5 Hurdle Tests
- Assignment 2
- Final Examination
Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- apply statistical techniques to problems arising from diverse fields of research
Assessment tasks
- 5 Hurdle Tests
- Assignment 2
- Final Examination
Changes from Previous Offering
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 28/02/2014 | The Description was updated. |