Students
ACST8040 – Quantitative Research Methods
2023 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Xian Zhou
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MActPrac and (STAT810 or STAT8310 or STAT806)
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit focuses on statistical approaches for research in Business and Economics and related disciplines. Topics include a range of probability and statistical models, their theoretical basis, the assessment and evaluation of the models, and methods of statistical inference for data analysis. The unit will also consider applications of the above models and techniques to the actuarial practice discipline. |
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:
- ULO1: Understand the theoretical basis of a range of statistical models used in actuarial research and the practice of modelling and inference using statistical models.
- ULO2: Critique, replicate and extend basic actuarial research using statistical models.
- ULO3: Ask questions and communicate problems relating to statistical models, and to explain and discuss ideas relating to implementation of statistical models.
- ULO4: Explain how a variety of statistical models are used in actuarial research and how empirical results are communicated in practice.
- ULO5: Use statistical software R to solve actuarial problems.
General Assessment Information
Late Assessment Submission Penalty (written assessments)
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.
For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1 | 20% | No | 24 March 2023 |
| Assignment 2 | 40% | No | 5 May 2023 |
| Assignment 3 | 40% | No | 5 June 2023 |
Assignment 1
Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 24 March 2023
Weighting: 20%
Assignment 1 consists of objective response questions requiring explanations in appropriate words and/or mathematical expressions.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the theoretical basis of a range of statistical models used in actuarial research and the practice of modelling and inference using statistical models.
- Critique, replicate and extend basic actuarial research using statistical models.
- Ask questions and communicate problems relating to statistical models, and to explain and discuss ideas relating to implementation of statistical models.
Assignment 2
Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 5 May 2023
Weighting: 40%
Assignment 2 consists of problem-solving questions requiring detailed solutions
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the theoretical basis of a range of statistical models used in actuarial research and the practice of modelling and inference using statistical models.
- Critique, replicate and extend basic actuarial research using statistical models.
- Ask questions and communicate problems relating to statistical models, and to explain and discuss ideas relating to implementation of statistical models.
- Explain how a variety of statistical models are used in actuarial research and how empirical results are communicated in practice.
Assignment 3
Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 5 June 2023
Weighting: 40%
Assignment 3 consists of problem-solving questions requiring detailed solutions including numerical solutions using statistical software R.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the theoretical basis of a range of statistical models used in actuarial research and the practice of modelling and inference using statistical models.
- Critique, replicate and extend basic actuarial research using statistical models.
- Ask questions and communicate problems relating to statistical models, and to explain and discuss ideas relating to implementation of statistical models.
- Explain how a variety of statistical models are used in actuarial research and how empirical results are communicated in practice.
- Use statistical software R to solve actuarial problems.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Classes
• This unit is taught through 3 hours of combined lectures/tutorials per week.
• If you are enrolled into the "Online-flexible" attendance mode, you are not required to register into any classes as there is no real-time live online class. A lecture recording will- be made available to students after the on-campus class is held so that you can study at your own pace.
• The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
Unit Web Page
• The web page for this unit can be found at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
Technology Used and required
• You will need access to the internet to obtain course information and download teaching materials from the unit website.
• It is your responsibility to check the unit website regularly to make sure that you are uptodate with the information for the unit.
• The statistical package R will be used to calculate numerical results from time to time.
Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials
• Lecture Notes are the required materials and will be posted on the website before the lectures.
• Relevant references will be provided in Lecture Notes as recommended materials. Some of them will be posted on the website.
Unit Schedule
Week 1: Nonparametric statistical methods; background knowledge
Week 2: One-sample location problem
Week 3: Estimation of location parameters; Two-sample location problem
Week 4: Two-sample dispersion and other problems
Week 5: One-way layout; Assignment 1
Week 6: One-way layout
Week 7: Two-way layout
Week 8: Two-way layout
Week 9: Independence problem
Week 10: Independence problem; Assignment 2
Week 11: Regression problem
Week 12: Bootstrap estimation
Week 13: Revision; Assignment 3
Note: This is only a tentative schedule. The actual schedule will be adjusted from time to time in accordance with the progress of lectures.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Unit information based on version 2023.01 of the Handbook