37154 - Statistical Models for the Assessment

Academic Year 2019/2020

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student is able to analyze multivariate data with advanced statistical methods and using statistical software.

Course contents

Part I

  • The steps of a statistical survey.
  • Review of multiple linear regression
  • Multilevel models
  • Basics of test development and validation.
  • Latent variable models for categorical data (item response theory models)

Parts II and III

  • Recall of principal component analysis
  • Factor analysis
  • Structural equation models (LISREL approach)

Computer lab activies on the analysis of case studies using specific software (R, SPSS).

Readings/Bibliography

Compulsory reading

Teacher's lecture notes available on the platform "Insegnamenti online - Supporto online alla didattica" https://iol.unibo.it/

Suggested textbooks

  • S. Mignani, A. Montanari (1997). Appunti di analisi statistica multivariata, Esculapio, Bologna, Second edition (chapters 1-2 linear regression model, chapter 3 principal component analysis, chapter 4 factor analysis)
  • S. Borra, A. Di Ciaccio (2014). Statistica – metodologie per le scienze economiche e sociali, terza edizione, McGraw-Hill, Milano (chapters 16-17 linear regression model).
  • D. J. Bartholomew et al. (2002). The analysis and interpretation of multivariate data for social scientists, Chapman & Hall (chapters 5-6-7 principal component analysis, factor analysis).

Teaching methods

Theoretical lessons and practical activities in computer laboratory with R and SPSS (individual or group work).

Attending the lessons is not mandatory but it is strongly recommended.

Assessment methods

Oral exam to assess the knowledge of the statistical methods both from a methodological and from a practical point of view. The oral exam deals with both the statistical theory and the interpretation of outputs produced with the software R and SPSS.

 

It is possible to give an intermediate oral exam on the contents of module I in the November week devoted to intermediate exams. If the grade is sufficient (at least 18/30), it will be possible to complete the exam on the contents of modules II and III within the next September session. The final grade is given by the arithmetic mean of the grade in the module I and the grande in the modules II and III. If the grade is not sufficient, it will be necessary to give the total oral exam.

 

 

 

Teaching tools

Slides and lab material on IOL; software R and SPSS.

Office hours

See the website of Mariagiulia Matteucci

See the website of Valentina Sansivieri

See the website of Valentina Sansivieri

SDGs

Quality education

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.