Bachelor of Arts (BA) - The University of Hong Kong

329Later CoursesSTAT0104.The analysis of sample surveys (6 credits)We often try to infer the characteristics of a population by taking a sample from that population. Thisapproach is usually forced upon us for economic, ethical or technological reasons. This courseconsiders the basic theory for the design and analysis of surveys.Prerequisite or co-requisite: STAT1003 or STAT1000 or STAT1007 or STAT1801 or STAT0601 orSTAT1001 or STAT1006 or STAT1008 or STAT2001 or STAT0602 orECON1003 or ECOL2006.STAT0110.Applied non-parametric methods (6 credits)Many statistical tests can be performed by simple calculations with ranks. These tests are especiallyimportant when distributional assumptions inherent in statistical models are unacceptable. Rank testsare a part of the field known as 'non-parametric statistics'. The course aims to explore this field.Contents include: Theory of ranks, order statistics. Hypothesis tests such as Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon,Kolmogorov-Smirnov, von Mises, Kruskal-Wallis, Friedman, Spearman, Kendall and runs test.Modern themes in non-parametric statistics.Pre- or co-requisite: STAT0100 or STAT2802 or STAT0604 or STAT0605.STAT0200.Intermediate statistics (6 credits)This course is a natural sequel to STAT1003 taught at the same intermediate mathematical level. Thecourse has two aims. Firstly, we aim to equip the student with the main concepts of statistical estimationand hypothesis testing, so that many other statistical ideas become accessible to the student. Secondly,we aim to provide exposure to statistics in a computer environment through the use of some statisticalpackages such as Minitab or JMP.Prerequisite or co-requisite: STAT1003 or STAT1000 or STAT1007 or STAT0601. Students taking orhaving taken STAT0100 or STAT0604 or STAT0605 or STAT2802 arenot allowed to take this course.STAT0203.Design and analysis of experiments (6 credits)This course is especially tailored for experimentalists and is taught with minimal mathematicalprerequisites. Often much time and effort are wasted by investigators simply because they have notplanned the design of their investigation in a way that stands up to criticisms of bias and invalidity. Inthis course basic principles of experimental design (such as replication, randomization, blocking,balancing, factorial completeness, and confounding) are explained in relation to specific problems.Pre- or co-requisite: STAT0401 or STAT0603. Students taking or having taken STAT3104 are notallowed to take this course.STAT0401.Computer-aided data analysis I (6 credits)In any study of the social sciences the investigator is faced with uncertainty and variability. Examplesinclude the uncertain effects of a new fiscal measure and the variability in educational attainments ofindividuals. Measuring uncertainty, describing patterns of variability, and describing the interrelationshipbetween several variables are therefore essential aspects of social science investigations.These aspects require a good understanding of statistics. Against a background of specific socialscience problems, this computer-oriented but non-mathematical course develops the important conceptsand methods of statistics. In particular, the student will learn data exploration, formulation of testablehypotheses, the evaluation of evidence and forecasting on the basis of past experience. Simple statisticalsoftware, JMP, will be used extensively. No prior knowledge of computers is assumed.