Quantitative Methods 2

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

One of the following:

620-131 Scientific Programming and Simulation

620-160 Experimental Design and Data Analysis

None

Please refer to Prerequisites and Corequisites.

None.

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/

This subject provides students with background mathematical and statistical skills necessary for solving a wide range of commerce problems. It draws heavily on examples from accounting, management and marketing and, to a lesser extent, economics and finance. Topics include: review of statistics; tests of the location of populations; simple and multiple regression for use with time series and cross section data, including interpretation of estimates, hypothesis testing and forecasting, an introduction to diagnostics; Logit models; an introduction to time series methods; and seasonality.

• Conduct and interpret a number of parametric and non-parametric tests of the location of quantitative populations.
• Complete simple and multiple regression analysis, appropriate tests on regression coefficients, analyse and interpret the results and explain the findings.
• Identify the circumstances under which test procedures may not be valid.
• Analyse several specific models often employed in the various fields within commerce.
• Identify the circumstances under which a model with a binary dependent variable is appropriate.
• Evaluate the results of a Logit model, test relevant hypotheses on the regression coefficients in a Logit model and explain the findings.
• Explain the difficulties that can arise when studying time series data.
• Interpret season factors and seasonally adjust data.
• Employ several methods to analyse and forecast time series data.
• Use and understand various publicly available statistics, including the many data series available describing the economy and markets.

A 2-hour end-of-semester examination (70%), assignments not exceeding 20 pages in total (15%), a mid-semester exam (5%), and a mark based on tutorial attendance and participation (10%).

You will be advised of prescribed texts by your lecturer.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• High level of development: collaborative learning; statistical reasoning; application of theory to practice; interpretation and analysis; synthesis of data and other information; evaluation of data and other information; use of computer software.

• Moderate level of development: oral communication; written communication; problem solving; critical thinking; receptiveness to alternative ideas.

• Some level of development: team work; accessing data and other information from a range of sources.