620-270 Applied Statistics

Note

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

One of 620-131, 620-152, 620-160 or approved equivalent.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject demonstrates the importance of statistical methods for interpreting data, the role of exploratory and formal data analysis and the importance of experimental design. Students should learn to examine data to determine underlying structures, formulate statistical models for a range of practical situations and check the assumptions of the model in specific situations. They should also learn to use the computer to carry out standard statistical analyses and to express conclusions in scientifically useful terms.

Introduction to statistical inference topics include estimation; confidence intervals; hypothesis testing including the power of tests, determination of sample size using the width of confidence intervals and power. Correlation and regression topics include assumptions; method of least squares; interpretation; hypothesis testing; confidence and prediction intervals; residuals; regression diagnostics; transformations; collinearity; model selection; and polynomial regression. Analysis of variance models (one-way and two-way with equal numbers of observations per cell) topics include model; assumptions; estimation and hypothesis testing; interaction and its interpretation; transformations; residuals; and diagnostics. Design of experiments topics include randomisation; replication; blocking; standard designs including completely randomised, randomised block and Latin square designs; factorial experiments: analysis; interpretation; introduction to confounding. Analysis of covariance topics include detailed treatment of the case with one factor and one covariate; extension to more complex situations. Contingency tables topics include tests for association; odds ratios, including confidence intervals; and introduction to loglinear models.

Assessment

Up to 50 pages of assignments and a 3-hour end-of semester written examination.