88205 - BUSINESS STATISTICS (5 CFU)

Academic Year 2020/2021

  • Docente: Sara Capacci
  • Credits: 5
  • SSD: SECS-S/03
  • Language: English
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Forli
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Economics and business (cod. 9202)

Learning outcomes

This course introduces students to the study of the main applied statistical methods to extract useful information from business databases and to support the management decision process. At the end of the course students are able (a) to select the most appropriate methodology to quantitatively analyse the business phenomena and (b) to critically interpret empirical results.

Course contents

The course is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of regression analysis for understanding and interpreting multivariate data in business. Special focus will be put on interpreting estimation results. The following contents will be covered:

  • The multiple regression model (refresher)
  • Hypothesis testing (refresher)
  • Using indicator variables (intercept and slope-indicator variables)
  • Choosing a functional form (linear-log, log-linear, log-log models)
  • Model selection criteria
  • Modelling binary choices (probit/logit models)

Empirical knowledge of all methods will be reached through real-world case studies performed using STATA.

Readings/Bibliography

R. C. Hill, W. E. Griffiths and G. C. Lim, "Principles of Econometircs", 4th edition, New York: John Wiley and Sons

Teaching methods

Class lectures, practical sessions in the computer lab using STATA and group work.

Assessment methods

Written exam in the computer lab and evaluation of group works.

Teaching tools

The Unibo e-learning platform (IOL) will be used to share teaching materials and to assign periodical assignments to students. The purpose of the assignments is to let the students practice and get familiarity with the methods and the software; they will not be used for evaluation purposes.

Office hours

See the website of Sara Capacci