sci2sed statistics experimental design

STATISTICS AND EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

SCI2SED

2017

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

This subject will provide an introduction to statistical concepts and techniques and the application of statistics in management and decision making in a variety of primary industries contexts. Students will develop a practical knowledge of selected statistical concepts, theories and methodologies including an understanding of experimental design and sampling techniques within a management context for a range of primary industries. Students will develop practical skills in basic statistical analysis techniques to interpret, transform, manipulate and present data. This includes the use of a variety of statistical software packages to analyse and interpret sample data summaries and draw inferences that inform enterprise and industry decision-makers. An understanding of and the ability to use appropriate terminology will assist students to develop confidence in presenting findings and in-turn enhance future career opportunities.

SchoolSchool of Life Sciences

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorPenelope Smith

Available to Study Abroad StudentsNo

Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG

Exchange StudentsNo

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites Admission into SBATE

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjectsN/A

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Learning resources

Readings

Resource TypeTitleResource RequirementAuthor and YearPublisher
ReadingsThe practice of statistics in the life sciencesPrescribedBaldi, B & Moore, D 2009NEW YORK, W.H. FREEMAN
ReadingsCommon errors in statisticsRecommendedGood, P & Hardin, J 20062ND EDN, JOHN WILEY AND SONS, NEW YORK, USA
ReadingsEssential mathematics and statistics for scienceRecommendedCurrell, G & Dowman, A 2005JOHN WILEY & SONS, NEW YORK, USA
ReadingsModern elementary statisticsRecommendedFreund, J 200311TH EDN, PRENTICE-HALL, NEW YORK USA
ReadingsStatistics and experimental design: an introduction for biologists and biochemistsRecommendedClarke, G 20033RD EDN, HODDER ARNOLD, NEW YORK USA
ReadingsThe basic practice of StatisticsRecommendedMoore, D 20105TH EDN, W.H. FREEMAN, NEW YORK, USA

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Describe concepts of experimental design and the effect of design concepts on interpretation of results in an agricultural context

Activities:
A number of case studies will be used in lectures and tutorials to show examples of experiments and trials suitable to the various agricultural industries. The design of laboratory and field experiments will be covered.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)

02. Use statistical concepts such as confidence intervals, P-values, hypothesis tests and significance to compare sample means and proportions

Activities:
Commonly used statistical concepts will be presented in lectures and developed in tutorial exercises. The used of statistics and their interpretation in literature will be discussed in group exercises.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)

03. Develop and apply sound estimation and prediction procedures for simple linear regression based on least squares methods

Activities:
Methods of estimation and prediction will be presented and discussed in lectures and tutorials.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)

04. Use statistical software packages, such as SPSS to analyse and interpret sample data summaries and to draw valid conclusions from the results of statistical inference

Activities:
Tutorials and workshops will be used to familiarise students with the statistical capabilities of common software programs such as Excel and specialised packages such as SPSS.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)

05. Present findings in an appropriate form using correct terminology

Activities:
Tutorials and assignments will be used to improve the student's ability to express their findings in appropriate language.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Writing(Writing)
Speaking(Speaking)

Subject options

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Start date between: and    Key dates

Epping, 2017, Semester 1, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorPenelope Smith

Class requirements

WorkShopWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

WorkShopWeek: 10 - 22
One 3.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Assignments (4 assignments approx. 1800 words)5001, 02, 03, 04, 05
Final exam (2 hours)3003, 04
Mid-semester test (1 hour)2001, 02