FALL 2013 MWF 11:00 – 11:50 Econ 201 Statistical Methods Instructor: Renatte K. Adler E-Mail: radler@mail.sdsu.edu Office: AH-4226 Office Hours: Mon. 12:00 - 1:00; Weds. 8:30 - 9:30 & 12:00 – 1:00 Wed. Text Overview Statistics is the science of learning from data. In your lifetime, you will be bombarded with data and statistical information. Using data effectively is a growing part of most professions. It is required to participate in society as a well-informed individual watching all forms of media. A solid understanding of statistics will enable you to make sound, data-based decisions in your career and every-day life. Business Statistics: Communicating with Numbers by Jaggia & Kelly CONNECT for no ebook, or CONNECTPlus to include ebook http://connect.mcgrawhill.com/class/r_adler_mwf_1100 FIREFOX is the recommended Browser. Tech Support 1-800-331-5094 Goals To form the habit of asking: “What do the data tell me?” • Understand where data come from and how to organize and analyze data sets in Excel. • Every student must understand the meaning of AND be able to easily use 3 concepts: “N” (population size or sample size, as appropriate), mean and standard deviation. From the beginning to end of the semester, these three measures will be used in a wide variety of concepts and calculations. • Use problems in the book and Connect assignments to practice statistical methods. You learn statistics by doing statistics problems. • Use statistics to form conclusions based on analyzing the data. Statistical Methods 1 Requirements Chapter readings will be assigned in-class and online. PowerPoints are available for each chapter in Connect. LearnSmart is highly suggested as a Study Guide and Chapter Review tool. Evaluation There will be 4 Homework Assignments due: Sept. 16, Oct. 11, Nov. 6, Dec. 11 (last day of class). There will be 3 Follow-up Exams: Sept. 20, Oct. 16, Nov. 13. There is no cumulative final. One paper is required, due Dec. 16 at 12:30 p.m. (Monday of finals week). Details will be posted on Blackboard. Grades are curved based on class performance. The grading scale is standard 90% A’s, 80% B's, 70% C’s, 60% D’s. A student’s grade for the course is weighted equally for each of the 8 assignments (4 homeworks, 3 exams, 1 paper). Failing grades are earned if students do not attend class regularly and do not earn at least 60% average for the eight assignments. Extra credit may be offered during the semester but will not be offered for any reason after Dec. 11. Statistical Methods 2