The advent of computers and the Internet has led to the availability of an enormous amount of data, in forms and quantities that were unthinkable just a few years ago. This phenomenon, sometimes called ‘big data’ or ‘data deluge’, is fulfilling H. G. Wells' prophecy that the ability to ‘think in terms of averages and maximums and minimums’ will be as necessary in the future ‘as it is now to be able to read and write’. This is especially true in economics. Therefore, the course aims to introduce students to the statistical study of the relationships between economic phenomena. At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to interpret the results of a regression model, conduct tests, and make predictions.
Course Prerequisites
No prerequisites are required.
Teaching Methods
The course will consist of lectures with overhead projections (in English) and programming exercises using R software. Students are encouraged to interact with the instructor during classroom explanations.
Assessment Methods
The exam is based on a written test lasting one and a half hours, consisting of 8-10 exercises of varying difficulty and scores. Some (4/5) questions are closed-ended, while the rest are open-ended. Incorrect answers do not result in a reduction in score. The exam rewards the ability to think critically and justify the chosen solution.
Contents
Examples of data. Probability, statistics, and programming in R. History of regression. The least squares method as a geometric tool. The simple regression model. The multiple regression model. The least squares method as a statistical tool. Properties of estimators. Predictions. Confidence intervals. Statistical tests.
Course Language
Italian
More information
Student meeting by appointment, to be arranged via email at the professor's institutional address.
