85173 - ANALYSIS OF CATEGORICAL DATA

Anno Accademico 2021/2022

  • Docente: Gabriele Soffritti
  • Crediti formativi: 6
  • SSD: SECS-S/01
  • Lingua di insegnamento: Inglese
  • Modalità didattica: Convenzionale - Lezioni in presenza
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Laurea Magistrale in Statistical sciences (cod. 9222)

Conoscenze e abilità da conseguire

By the end of the course the student acquires the knowledge of descriptive and probabilistic methods for the analysis of contingency tables. The student is also able to choose the best method to perform multivariate analyses of a given categorical dataset and to interpret the obtained results.

Contenuti

Introduction (2 hours)

  • Data matrices and contingency tables.
  • Descriptive and inferential techniques for the analysis of contingency tables.

Descriptive methods (11 hours)

  • Geometric concepts in multidimensional space.
  • Matrix decompositions (spectral, singular value), low-rank matrix approximation and multidimensional analysis.
  • Theory and algebra of simple correspondence analysis.
  • Canonical correlation analysis of contingency tables.
  • Multiple correspondence analysis.

Probabilistic methods (11 hours)

  • Probability structure for contingency tables.
  • Loglinear models for contingency tables:

- model specification;

  - parameter estimation and interpretation;

- goodness-of-fit measures;

- model selection and comparison;

- diagnostics for checking models.

R functions and packages for the analysis of contingency tables (6 hours)

  • Syntax, usage and output of functions and packages available in the R environment for the analysis of contingency tables.
  • Examples of analyses based on the use of such functions and packages.

The reported number of hours is an estimate which takes account of both theoretical and practical lessons. Practical lessons focus on specific topics and are generally scheduled after the lessons devoted to the theoretical treatment of that topics.

Testi/Bibliografia

Compulsory readings

  • A. Agresti. Categorical data analysis, Second edition. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2002. Chapters 1-3, 8-9.
  • M. Greenacre. Theory and applications of correspondence analysis. London: Academic Press, 1984. Chapters 1-5.
  • O. Nenadic, M. Greenacre. Correspondence analysis in R, with two- and three-dimensional graphics: the ca package. Journal of Statistical Software. May 2007, Volume 20, Issue 3.
  • N. Redfern. Correspondence analysis of genre preferences in UK film audiences. Participations: Journal of audience and reception studies. 2012, Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 45-55.
  • Additional readings concerning topics not included in the recommended textbooks (to be announced during the lessons).

Additional materials useful for the preparation of the exam will be available on the platform "Virtual learning environment" of the University of Bologna (https://virtuale.unibo.it/) for all enrolled students:

  • slides containing a summary of the course contents as discussed by the teacher during the theoretical lessons;
  • a list of some exercises useful for the preparation of the exam;
  • the materials used by the teacher during the practical lessons.

In order to have access to the platform "Virtual learning environment", students must use their username and password.

Slides discussed by the teacher during the theoretical lessons will be made available on the platform "Virtual learning environment" on a weekly basis. Since in those slides the teacher's oral explanations are completely missing, they are not self-explanatory and only represent a tool to see which specific topics have been treated during the lessons.

For the preparation of the exam students are required to make use all the compulsory readings.

Metodi didattici

Theoretical lessons in a lecture hall and practical lessons in a computer laboratory through the R computing package. R scripts employed during the practical lessons will be made available on the platform "Virtual learning environment" of the University of Bologna (https://virtuale.unibo.it/) for all enrolled students.

Although attending lessons is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended.

Attending lectures is the first and easiest way to start learning and taking active part in all teaching activities is crucial and strongly recommended for all students (https://corsi.unibo.it/2cycle/StatisticalSciences/lecture-attendance). Thus, lessons will not be recorded.

Modalità di verifica e valutazione dell'apprendimento

The exam tests the qualifications of each student on both a theoretical and a practical level. For all students (regardless of the fact that they have attended lectures or not), the exam is written, lasts two hours and takes place in a room in both modes (in presence/online). It consists of a given number of exercises, each of which is composed of open-ended questions concerning either the theoretical aspects of the statistical methods or the ability of using methods for data analysis and interpreting results. These latter questions require solving numerical exercises. Consulting textbooks or notes during the written exam is not allowed. A pocket calculator is necessary. The maximum mark for each exercise is fixed in advance and is visible by the student who takes the exam. The sum of the marks for all exercises is 32. The overall final grade is given by the sum of the marks in the exercises, which is expressed on a scale of 30. If such a sum results in 31 or 32 the overall final grade will be 30/30 cum laude. The minimum passing grade is 18/30. Marks are given on the basis of the completeness, accuracy and appropriateness of the student's responses.

Each student can choose to take the exam either in online mode or in presence. To this end, the exam has to be booked through the web application AlmaEsami according to the preferred mode (two separate booking lists will be available for each call). The online exams will require a PC, the Zoom platform and the Esami online (EOL) (eol.unibo.it) platform. Technical information about how to take an written online exam via Zoom can be found here: https://www.unibo.it/en/teaching/classes-and-exams/exams.

Further information about the online exam:

  1. before the exam: students must have installed a free app or software on their smartphone with which they can scan their paper and save it as a single document at the end of their exam (PDF format recommended); they must have been practising the creation of a single file with two or more photos by using the scanning app so as to avoid any technical issues at the end of the exam;
  2. at the beginning of the exam: exercises will be available on the Esami On Line platform; thus, students will need their unibo username and password in order to log onto the website https://eol.unibo.it. They will also need to have some blank sheets of paper (one sheet for each exercise), a pen and a pocket calculator; they must write their name, surname and matriculation number on each sheet of paper and on each page.
  3. during the exam: students must be by themselves in a well-lit room; they have set up a webcam so that their face and hands and sheets of paper are visible. Microphones and cameras of all students have to stay on and students must remain silent during the exam. Students' smartphones have to be in sight and face down. If requested by the teacher, the PC webcam should be used to provide a 360-degree view of the room. The teacher will supervise students and will answer any questions via chat. The teacher must be able to access students' cameras at any time during the exam. The teacher may ask to check on a student via the webcam of the Zoom meeting where the student is taking the exam (or via smartphone).
  4. at the end of the exam: when the time is up, students must put down their pen and stop writing. At the teacher’s request, they must show each sheet of the paper they have written via webcam. Each student must open the scanning app on their smartphone, take pictures of each sheet of the paper so as to create a single file for their exam, and saved it with the name Surname.pdf. Then, they have to send the so-obtained document (PDF format recommended) to the teacher using their institutional email address (@studio.unibo.it). After checking that student’s e-mail has been successfully received, the teacher will announce the end of the exam so that the student can leave the virtual room and exit the Zoom platform.

Further useful information about the exams

  • In order to take the exam, students are required to put their names down for the exam through Almaesami platform.
  • Exams can only be taken in the official exam sessions.
  • An identity card (or the UNIBO student card) is required to take part in the exam.
  • Students will not be permitted to use any electronical device (mobile phones, smart watches, electronical data storage devices, etc.). If you have your mobile phone with you during an exam, you should turn it off and place it under your chair in the exam venue. Students found with a mobile phone on their person are in breach of University regulations and they will not be allowed to finish the exam.
  • Students who wish to withdraw from the exam must do so within the first 60 minutes of the exam. 
  • Students who pass the exam but are not satisfied with their final grade are allowed to retake it at least once but no more than twice.

Strumenti a supporto della didattica

Explanations are generally given by using the slides available on the platform "Virtual learning environment" of the University of Bologna (https://virtuale.unibo.it/) for all enrolled students.

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students who attend the planned in-presence practical activities in computer lab must also attend the Modules 1 and 2 of an online course for training on Health and Safety in study and research areas (https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas). Please note that General training (Module 1) and specific training (Module 2) of this course are compulsory for all students who for study purposes work in IT laboratories and other work places that present specific risks.

Orario di ricevimento

Consulta il sito web di Gabriele Soffritti

SDGs

Istruzione di qualità

L'insegnamento contribuisce al perseguimento degli Obiettivi di Sviluppo Sostenibile dell'Agenda 2030 dell'ONU.