EC8006: Data Analysis, Modeling and Research Methods
Lecturers: Dr. Christopher Sibley / Prof. Michael King
Phone: 4984305 / 8962735
Email: Christopher.sibley@cso.ie / michael.king@tcd.ie
Office: Central Statistics Office, Dublin 6 / 3002 Arts Building
Office Hours: TBC / TBC
Additional Lecturers: Daniel Faas and Antje Roeder
Teaching Assistant: Emma Howard (howardek@tcd.ie)
CONTACT HOURS
30 hours of lectures
20 hours of tutorials
50 hours in total
ECTS VALUE: 15
RATIONALE AND AIMS
This module is designed to give students the tools required to evaluate public policy programmes and
make recommendations based on sound quantitative reasoning. While the module will cover a broad
range of statistical concepts and tools, the emphasis in all cases will be on application and interpretation of
results. Where appropriate, Irish data will be used to illustrate the techniques being studied. Two key
questions that will be considered throughout the module are: (a) when are various statistical techniques
most appropriate and (b) how can we use statistical information to improve policy, or a law, or a public
sector programme? Students will be required to familiarise themselves with basic calculations and
computing, but they will also have to analyse and interpret the derived results. This means that there will
be more emphasis on writing and explanations than would be the case in a standard statistical module. The
module will conclude with a special feature on qualitative research methods.
Many data sources will be covered in this module, including those provided by the CSO, EUROSTAT and the
OECD, with information and guidance provided with regard to accessing and using both on-line and hardcopy versions. The generation and understanding of qualitative data will also be reviewed, as well as an
understanding of case-study type material provided. Best practice in relation to other aspects of research
will also be covered.
MODULE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Having successfully completed this module, students will be able to:

Find, navigate and manage new datasets;

Explain and interpret statistical and econometric terminology/
results;

Conduct statistical and econometric tests on datasets;

Complete policy reports for a general audience based on the results
of these tests;

Conduct qualitative surveys and interpret the results.
WORKLOAD
This is a 15 credit course that carries between 300 and 350 hours of work. These hours will include reading
assigned materials, preparing exercises, attending class and tutorials, exam preparation, etc.
ASSESSMENT AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
Term
Michaelmas/Hiliary Term
Hiliary Term (Presentation early
January, Due date end of term)
Trinity Term
Assessment
Workshop homeworks
Assignment
Due Date % Marks
TBC
10%
TBC
20%
Written exam
TBC
70%
The learning outcomes are assessed during a final examination, and homework assignments. Marking will
depend on (1) correctness of the formulation of the statistical question, (2) correctness of the method used
for solving the question, (3) correctness of the application of the method used for solving the question, and
(4) the format, logical consistency, and accuracy of the reported solution.
COURSE CONTENT
No.
Topic
Michaelmas Term
1
Sampling design and the nature of statistics
2
Organising and graphing data
3
Descriptive measures
4
Probability
5
Normal distributions
6
Sampling distribution of the sample mean
7
Confidence Intervals
8
Hypothesis testing
9
Chi-Square Procedures
10
Index numbers
Hiliary Term
1
Class Presentations
2
Regression I
3
Regression II
4
Research Methods/ Data Collection
5
Regression III
6
Regression IV
7
Qualitative Methods I
8
Qualitative Methods II
9
Qualitative Methods III
10
Qualitative Methods IV
Date
Sept 28th
Oct 5th
Oct 12th
Oct 19th
Nov 2nd
Nov 9th
Nov 16th
Nov 23th
Nov 30th
Dec 7th
Jan 18th
Jan 25th
Feb 1st
Feb 8th
Feb 15th
Mar 1st
Mar 8th
Mar 15th
Mar 22nd
Apr 5th
Workshop
Workshop 1
Oct 6th
Workshop 2
Oct 20th
Workshop 3
Workshop 4
Nov 17th
Nov 24th
Workshop 5
Dec 8th
Workshop 6
Jan 26th
Workshop 7
Feb 9th
Workshop 8
Mar 2nd
Workshop 9
Workshop 10
Mar 23rd
April 6th
CLASS TIMES
Lecture times: 8.30 to 10.00 every Friday, Michaelmas Term (MT) and Hilary Term (HT). Lectures will
involve both lecture presentation format and practical examples.
Workshop times: 9.15 to 11.15 Saturday mornings (approximately every second weekend).
EVALUATION
Online survey
RECOMMENDED TEXTS
Neil A. Weiss, Introductory Statistics, 9th Edition 2011.
Additional reading will be highlighted as the course progresses.