Statistics, Economics, and Social Sciences

Learning goals. The main goal of this lab course is the acquisition of the logic and the fundamentals of the statistical package SAS for the analysis of real data. Moreover, at the end of the course students should be able to formalize simple questions on real practical problems using standard statistical tools. The focus is also on the theoretical framework together with the computational details related to real applications, giving special attention to the interpretation of the results from the statistical software output. Knowledge and understanding. When completing the course, students will have learnt the logic and basics of SAS programming to import and manipulate data, perform standard statistical analyses on real data. Moreover, they will have learnt the basics of empirical checking of statistical laws and inferential theoretical properties by simulation. Applying knowledge and understanding. When completing the course, students will be able to formalize a selected statistical problem, make standard statistical analyses in autonomy, interpret and explain the results. Moreover, they will be able to carry on simple simulations. Making judgements. Students develop the critical thinking by applying standard methodologies learnt in their curricula which they are able to use in autonomy by means of a statistical software. The skill to process data and produce the output by themselves helps to learn how to interpret the results taking into considerations theoretical criteria. Communication skills. By processing data and interpreting the results, students will learn the correct use of the technical language which is required in both coursework and final exam. Special attention is given to the skill of communicating results to non-specialists by using a rigorous but understandable language. Learning skills Students passing the exam have learnt how to perform standard statistical analyses in autonomy with SAS and the logic to study and apply different methodologies in other applicative cases which are the premises to continue their studies in a Second Cycle Degree in either Statistics or Applied Statistics.