Consulting and Applied Statistics

Subject MAST90027 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points:

12.50

Level:

9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)

Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 1, Parkville - 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:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements for this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Ian Gordon

Contact

Email: irg@unimelb.edu.au

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 Course(s):	Master of Science (Mathematics and Statistics)

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