Consulting and Applied Statistics

Subject 620-638 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

On-campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 36 hours comprising 2 one-hour lectures per week and 1 one-hour practice class per week.
Total Time Commitment: 3 contact hours plus 7 hours private study per week.
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: It is recommended that students have completed third year subjects in statistics (equivalent to 620-371 [2008] Linear Models and 620-372 [2008] Applied Statistical Inference)
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this with the subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Ian Gordon
Subject Overview: This subject is about the application of statistics in real situations. It deals with thinking about data in a broad context; the client consultant relationship; consulting sessions; verbal and written communication skills; organizing the structure of a statistical problem; professional ethics; case studies; teamwork; presentation of results including graphical methods, tables, report writing; project work; supervised consulting; developing models; searching the literature for relevant background material; critical assessment.
Objectives: After completing this subject students should:
- gain experience in the practical application of statistics especially in communicating and explaining statistical ideas verbally and in writing;
- increase their critical awareness and their statistical thinking and understand basic statistical techniques from a non-statistical perspective;
- explore the nature of statistical consulting and its various dimensions including client behaviour.
Assessment: Up to 75 pages of written assignments (100%: five assignments worth 20% equally spaced throughout the semester)
Prescribed Texts: TBA
Recommended Texts: Boen, J.R. and Zahn, D.A. (1982) The Human Side of Statistical Consulting. Lifetime Learning Publications.
Derr, J. (2000) Statistical Consulting: A Guide to Effective Communication. Duxbury Press.
Cabrera J., McDougall A. (2002) Statistical Consulting. Springer.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Upon completion of this subject, students should develop the following generic skills:
- Problem-solving skills including engaging with unfamiliar problems, and identifying relevant
strategies;

- Analytical skills including the ability to construct and express logical arguments and to work in
abstract or general terms to increase the clarity and efficiency of the analysis.

- The ability to work in a team, through interactions with fellow students

- High level oral presentation skills, in the presentation of well-organized, well-structured, lucid
and persuasive material.

- Time management and self management.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: R05 RM Master of Science - Mathematics and Statistics

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