Statistical Methods and Applications

FILOMENA MAGGINO

General goals
Learning problems and principles of survey methodology

Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of principles and of operational phases of statistical surveys (with specific emphasis in official statistics)

Applying knowledge and understanding
Ability to plan a statistical survey

Making judgements
Ability of understanding existing statistical surveys and of proposing improvements

Communication skills
Ability of using appropriate scientific and technical language of survey methodology; students are also trained in team-work

Learning skills
Students acquire skills useful to approach more advanced topics in official statistics

a) Knowledge
At the end of the course, students know and understand the principles of statistical surveys (especially in the field of Official Statistics) and the operational phases.

b) Skills
At the end of the course, students will be able to build a survey project by defining the different phases.

c) Autonomy of judgment
The knowledge and skills developed allow students to critically observe existing investigation projects and to evaluate the possibility of constructive changes aimed at their improvement.

d) Communication skills
Students, through the study and carrying out of practical exercises, acquire the technical-scientific language of the discipline, with particular reference to the collection of individual and subjective data. Communication skills are also developed through small group activities.

e) Learning skills
Students will learn the methodology of statistical surveys. This allows them to face the study of subsequent courses with an awareness linked above all to the surveys in the field of Official Statistics.

no prerequisites

Modern survey methodology and analysis
(A) Statistical survey
a. The survey design
i. Longitudinal design
ii. Cross-sectional design
b. Complexity of surveys in social contexts
c. Survey phases and planning
(B) Applied sampling approaches
a. Representativeness in social context
b. Probabilistic and non-probabilistic sampling approaches
c. Defining the dimension of samples
(C) Questionnaire
a. Questionnaire design
b. Practical issues in defining questions&answers
c. Data collection: different approaches to data collection (including web and mixed mode)
(D) Crucial survey issues
a. Non-observation errors
i. Sampling errors
ii. Non-response errors: missing observations (how to prevent, manage and solve them)
b. Observation errors
i. Measurement error: theory and implications
c. survey methodology and official statistics
d. comparative issues
(E) Survey data: preparing data for statistical analysis
a. Checking data (accuracy, missing data, outliers)
b. Managing data (transformation, change, re-code, etc.)
c. Synthesizing data
(F) Scaling models

To be communicated at the beginning of the course.

To be communicated at the beginning of the course.

Lessons will be held both remotely and in presence.
Lessons will start on March 3.

Attendance is optional.

The exam will be based on the drafting of a project in addition to the oral exam

The detailed program provides an insight into the different questions.