93264 - INTRODUCTORY STATISTICS

Learning outcomes

This is an optional introductory course in statistics for newly-admitted LMEPP students whose statistics background is not strong enough for the LM level. Upon admission, the admissions committee may recommend students to take this course. At the end of the course, students master the minimal statistics background that is needed to succeed in the more advanced statistics and econometrics courses offered at LMEPP.

Course contents

Part I

1 Summation operator and descriptive statistics: definition and description.

2 Linear Functions: definitions and properties.

3 Proportions and percentages: a brief introduction.

 

Part II

1 Random variables and their probability distributions.

2 Joint distributions, conditional distributions and independence.

3 Features of probability distributions.

4 Features of joint and conditional distributions.

5 The normal and related distributions: the normal distribution, the standard normal distribution, the chi-square distribution, the t distribution.

 

Part III

1 Populations, Parameters and Random sampling.

2 Finite sample properties of estimators.

3 Asymptotic or large sample properties of estimators : consistency, unbiasedness.

4 General approaches to parameter estimation: least squares estimation.

5 Interval estimation and confidence intervals.

6 Hypothesis testing.

Readings/Bibliography

Jeffrey, M. Wooldridge, "Introductory Econometrics, A modern approach", Cengage Learning. (Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C)

Teaching methods

On-line lectures.

Assessment methods

There will be no final exam, but students are required to attend at least 70% of classes.

Teaching tools

Slides, Virtuale's web pages.

Office hours

See the website of Cinzia Franceschini