Statistics

The main objective of the course is to provide suitable tools for the quantitative description of one or more features of interest that are found in populations in the most varied fields (economic, sociological, political, etc.). This description can be realized aggregating the data observed in tables, giving an adequate graphical representation, constructing appropriate position and variability indices, identifying the most appropriate measures that highlight the relationships among features. Descriptive statistics must be accompanied by statistical inference, when the data are taken from samples; in this case the analysis of the aforementioned characters is not performed in "certain" but only in "probabilistic" terms and has the purpose of providing indications on the entire population. The basic arguments of Probability and Statistical inference are therefore provided, with particular reference to classic estimation theory.

At the end of the course, students will be able to quantitatively analyze study situations in which the synthesis and analysis of the variability of the features that make up a given phenomenon are important to fully understand it. They will therefore be able to use the basic data analysis tools both in terms of synthesis and statistical inference. Students will also be able to use computer tools such as spreadsheets that facilitate statistical analysis.