88263 - Statistical Analysis and Modelling

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student will learn the main statistical methods to deal with ecological, economical and social data, both using univariate and multivariate approaches. The student will have the capacity to deal with the practical applications of several statistical methods to real world cases and data.

Course contents

Theory

Introduction to statistical theory. The data matrix and types of variables.

Univariate statistics. Frequency tables. Graphical methods to display data. Location measures: mean, median, mode. Measures of variability.

Bivariate statistics. Two-way tables: joint marginal and conditional distributions. Association, covariance and correlation.

Linear regression

Statistical Inference. Statistical models, population and sampling. Parametric inference: parameters estimation, confidence interval and tests. Brief introduction to tests for two sample comparisons.

Use of R

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend Module 1, 2 on Health and Safety online
(https://elearning-sicurezza.unibo.it/?lang=en).

Introduction to R: what is R and RStudio? R grammar and data structures. Data import and cleaning. Functions, conditionals and iteration. Basic graphs.

Statistical analysis with R: application of statistical methods explained in the first Module through R (univariate statistics, bivariate statistics, linear regression and statistical inference).

 

*NOTE: provided that the course is formally structured in two modules, in order to have a hands-on approach and move easily between theory and practice, it will be expected that most lectures will follow a mixed approach balancing theoretical explanation and immediate use of R*

Readings/Bibliography

G. Cicchitelli, P. D'Urso, M. Minozzo (2021) "Statistics - Principles and Methods", first edition. Pearson Italia.

Teaching methods

Theory lessons and use of the R software.

For students that will follow the PRACTICAL part of this course, it is expected that they have access to a personal computer on which the R software will be installed to follow the practicals and perform exercises.

Assessment methods

For Global Change Ecology students (and other students who have to follow both modules), the final exam is composed as follows:

- Written test aimed at verifying the general theory behind the studied statistical methods: 1 hour, multiple choice and open questions test.

- Practical project aimed at verifying R knowledge. The practical project will be provided by the students as a PDF file presenting a discussion of the procedure and results.

 

For I-CONTACT students (and other students who are required to follow only the theoretical module), the final exam is as follows:

- Written test aimed at verifying the general theory behind the studied statistical methods: 1.5 hours, mixed multiple choice/ exercise/open question test.

Teaching tools

Lecture notes, slides, R scripts.

 

*NOTE: although attendance is warmly recommended, scheduling conflicts between courses are sadly unavoidable. Therefore, this year recordings will be provided for the theoretical and practical parts each week throughout the semester, so that both Global Change Ecology and prospective I-CONTACT students who are interested in taking this course can prepare for the final exam independently of teaching schedule. Please notice that the last lectures for both theory and practice will be delivered in January 2025, in time for the first possible exam date.

Office hours

See the website of Paolo Abondio