DATA ANALYSIS

Course Code

GG 3068

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D. Mauquoy

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 who have passed GG 2508.

Co-requisites

None

Overview

• Topic 1: Introduction: sampling design, data types, descriptive statistics, use of data tables and charts, parametric vs. non-parametric statistics.


• Topic 2: Testing for relationships: data inspection, assumptions and transformations, linear regression, multiple linear regression, correlation.


• Topic 3: Testing for differences: 2 samples (t-test, Mann-Whitney and Kolmogorov-Smirnov); more than 2 samples (ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and multiple range tests).


• Topic 4: Multivariate statistics: linear vs. unimodal ordination techniques; PCA and DCA; RDA and CCA.


• Topic 5: Design and analysis of social surveys.


• Topic 6: Synthesis: key do's and don'ts, presenting statistics, use of statistics in published work.

Structure

One-two hour lecture/practical per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 100% coursework. Students complete 3 short assignments plus one longer assignment.

Resit: Resubmission of failed project work, with mark for those components to be capped at CAS 9.

Formative Assessment

There is no stand-alone, formal formative assessment. However, feedback on summative assessments should help students to improve their subsequent performances within the course.

Feedback

Students receive individual, written feedback on their coursework using standard comment sheets. We also provide whole-class feedback in class meetings and via MyAberdeen, covering generic issues and running through model answers.