You will be using the software package Stata throughout the unit including for most assessments and practical classes. Similarly, you will need Microsoft Word to complete the report. See how to download Stata and Microsoft Word for free in the Delivery and Resources section, below, and in the Required Resources area of the Unit Information block in iLearn. 

Requirements to pass this unit: 

To pass this unit you must:

• Achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50%. 

Assessment: Online quiz (10%)

This exercise tests your understanding and practical application of Stata skills learned during lectures, tutorial and practical classes. More information will be available on iLearn. 

Assessment: Research Report (45%)

The report is to be completed individually and will be submitted via the appropriate assignment link on the iLearn page. Read the submission statement carefully before accepting it as there are substantial penalties for making a false declaration. The methods needed to complete the report are discussed extensively in the tutorials. 

• Assignment submission is via iLearn. Microsoft Word must be used to create the assignment, a Word .docx file should be used for submission.
• If there are technical obstructions to your submitting online, please email us to let us know well before the deadline.

You may submit as often as required prior to the due date/time. Please note that each submission will completely replace any previous submissions. It is in your interests to make frequent submissions of your partially completed work as insurance against technical or other problems near the submission deadline.

Late Assessment Submission Penalty:    

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 11:55 pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. 

For any late submission of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled assessment quizzes/ scheduled tests/ exams, and/or presentations students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.    

Assessments where Late Submissions will be accepted:

• Report - YES, Standard Late Penalty applies
• Online quiz - NO, timed assessments must be completed by the due date unless Special Consideration is granted.

Word Count Penalty: 5% of the possible mark will be deducted per 100 words over the word limit for the assessment task. An additional 99 words beyond the limit can be written without penalty.

Assessment: Final Exam (45%)

Final Exam Policy: 

The final exam for this unit is scheduled to occur on Macquarie University campus. Students are expected to make themselves available for the final exam, at the date and time set by the University, in line with the Assessment Policy and Procedure.  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, that is, 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 Special Consideration.

If you receive special consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled in the interval between the regular exam period and the start of the next session. By making a special consideration application for the final exam you are declaring yourself available for a resit during this supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments. Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application. Approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.

Special Consideration:

Written Assessment/Skills Assessment: If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the written report or quiz in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and apply for Special Consideration. If you need help or advice please contact us at STAT1103@mq.edu.au. 

Participation

We strongly encourage all students to actively participate in all learning activities. Regular engagement is crucial for your success in this unit, as these activities provide opportunities to deepen your understanding of the material, collaborate with peers, and receive valuable feedback from instructors, to assist in completing the unit assessments. Your active participation not only enhances your own learning experience but also contributes to a vibrant and dynamic learning environment for everyone. Tutorial classes cover how to complete all aspects of the report, practical classes help you with all assessments. If you miss a class, you should attend a make-up class in the same week. You do not need to apply for special consideration if you miss one of these classes. 

Classes:

Lectures (beginning in Week 1): Each week, there are approximately 2 hours of pre-recorded lecture videos to watch, made available on the iLearn site. The pre-recorded lectures will be available the weekend before the week commences. Lectures must be watched prior to attending the tutorial and practical classes that same week. There is also a one-hour live online Q&A session every week where students can ask questions about the lecture material. These Q&A sessions wlill be held via zoom. Access these sessions via the zoom link in each Weekly section of iLearn.

Tutorial classes (beginning in Week 1): Students must register via eStudent and attend one 1-hour tutorial class per week. These classes are on campus for the "in person" unit offering and online via zoom for the "online" offering. Tutorial classes run from Week 1 to Week 12.

Practical classes (beginning in Week 1): Students must register via eStudent and attend one 1-hour practical class per week. These classes are on campus for the "in person" unit offering and online via zoom for the "online" offering. Tutorial classes run from Week 1 to Week 12.

Your enrolment and the timetable for classes can be found and managed through your eStudent and the Class Finder at: https://student1.mq.edu.au/

Resources:

Please see the Required Resources section of iLearn for details of recommended and required texts and other resources. Textbooks can change from one year to another so do not purchase without checking iLearn. 

Technology Used and Required: All unit material is delivered through iLearn. The link may be found at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au. This unit requires use of a laptop or desktop computer so that the statistical package Stata and Microsoft Word can be installed and used; Stata and Microsoft Word (through the Microsoft Office Suite) can be downloaded for free from the University Software Downloads webpage. Students enrolled in the in-person offering may use the lab computers to complete their class work and assessments. 

Communication: We will communicate with you via announcements on iLearn and your university email. Queries to convenors can either be placed on the iLearn discussion board or sent to STAT1103@mq.edu.au from your university email address. 

See iLearn for details of assessment delivery and timings. Note that this schedule is subject to change if necessary.

Every semester feedback results in adjustment to content, delivery and/or resources provided in this unit. As such we encourage students to provide constructive feedback via student surveys, to teaching staff directly or via the FSE Student Experience and Feedback link in the iLearn page. 

To enable students more time to focus on learning, understanding and reflecting on the content of our unit we have revised the assessment structure as follows. There are now only three assessments: a skills assessment, report and final exam. Although no marks are associated with attendance, all activities provide you with key content designed to help you understand content and complete the assessments.