ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY

LOYOLA SCHOOLS

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE NUMBER: EC 116

TITLE: Statistics for Economists
DEPARTMENT: Economics
PREREQUISITE: EC102 and MA20
SCHOOL: Social Sciences
SEMESTER AND SCHOOL YEAR: First Semester, SY 2019-2020
NUMBER OF UNITS: 3
FACULTY: Jessalaine M. Bacani, M.A.
SCHEDULE & VENUE: TTh/0800-0930/B209 (Section B)
TTh/0930-1100/B103 (Section A)

A. Course Description

The course covers both descriptive and inferential statistics. Emphasis, however, will be on inferential
statistics. One-quarter of the semester will be devoted for descriptive and three-quarters, for inferential.
Basic probability concepts are included as a prelude to inferential methods. The course ends with the
basics of correlation and regression analysis – the starting points of econometrics.

B. Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the course, the students must be able to:

Content
1. Explain the difference between descriptive and inferential statistics
2. Distinguish between a discrete variable and a continuous variable
3. Explain the characteristics, uses, advantages, and disadvantages of each measure of central
tendency and variability
4. Explain the Chebyshev’s Theorem as they relate to a set of observations
5. Explain the different concepts of probability
6. Define the terms probability distribution and random variable
7. Distinguish between discrete and continuous probability distributions
8. Describe the characteristics of probability distributions
9. Recognize the difference between population and sample units
10. Describe different methods to select a sample and identify their strengths and weaknesses
11. Define and construct a sampling distribution of the mean
12. Explain the Central Limit Theorem
Skills
13. Produce and interpret graphical summaries of data
14. Organize data into a frequency distribution
15. Calculate and interpret measures of central location and measures of dispersion
16. Calculate and interpret quartiles, deciles, and percentiles
17. Compute probabilities of events
18. Calculate the mean, variance, and standard deviation of probability distributions
 19. Construct confidence intervals for population averages, variances and percentages
20. Perform test of hypotheses for population averages, variances and percentages
21. Estimate and interpret the parameters of a multiple linear regression model
22. Estimate and interpret the correlation coefficient and coefficient of determination in terms of
strength association

Attitude
23. Develop an appreciation of the wide application of statistics in economics
24. Be a critical consumer of statistical information
25. Be aware of abuses of statistical analysis

C. Course Outline

Quizzes will be given after every topic that we finish discussing (excluding the topics before the
midterms and finals). Each quiz will be worth 10 points.

Topic
1. Introduction
2. Describing Data
3. Probability
4. Discrete Probability Distributions
5. Continuous Probability Distributions
6. Sampling Distributions

Midterm Exam

7. Estimation and Confidence Intervals

8. Hypothesis Testing I: Single Sample
9. Hypothesis Testing II: Two Samples
10. Analysis of Variance
11. Categorical Data Analysis
12. Introduction to Simple Linear Regression (Optional)

Final Exam

D. Required Reading

Lind, Douglas A., William G. Marchal, and Samuel Adam Wathen. Statistical Techniques in Business &
Economics. 17th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education, 2018.

McClave, James T., P. George Benson, and Terry Sincich. Statistics for Business and Economics. 13th ed.
Harlow: Pearson, 2018.

E. Suggested Readings

Newbold, Paul, William Lee Carlson, and Betty Thorne. Statistics for Business and Economics. 8th ed.
Boston, MA: Pearson, 2013.
F. Assessment Methods (or Course Requirements):

Group Group
Assessment Midterm Final Class
Quizzes Paper 1 Paper TOTAL
Methods Exam Exam Participation
(JEEP) 2
Weight 15% 30% 30% 10% 10% 5% 100%
1 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
2 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
3 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
4 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
5 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
6 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Content
7 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
8 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
9 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
10 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
11 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
12 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
13 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
14 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
15 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
16 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
17 ✓ ✓ ✓
Skills
18 ✓ ✓ ✓
19 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
20 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
21 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
22 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
23 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Attitude 24 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
25 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

G. Grading System
Grade %
A 92-100 C+ 77-81
B+ 87-91 C 70-76
B 82-86 D 60-69
F Below 60
H. Classroom Policies

1. Loyola Schools rules and regulations, as stipulated in the Bulletin of Information and the Student
Handbook (e.g. “Section E. Offenses Involving Dishonesty” under the Code of Discipline for Students in
the Student Handbook), must be followed.

2. Students are not allowed to use any electronic gadgets inside the classroom once the class begins unless
the instructor says otherwise. In case of emergencies, students may quietly step out of the class to use their
phones/laptops. Anyone caught using an electronic device will have a deduction in participation points.

3. Students displaying behavior that disrupts the class will receive a warning from the instructor. Students
who repeat the offense after the warning will have a deduction in participation points.

4. Major exams will be announced at least two weeks before the day of the exam. Students are expected to
know when to anticipate for a quiz since the instructor will clearly state if the class is through with
discussing a topic.

5. No make-up will be given for missed quizzes. Make-up for major exams are given only under serious
reasons judged by the instructor. In case of make-up exams, the instructor may still apply necessary
penalties on the exam grade. Make-up exams can only be taken during office hours.

6. Students who get a rating of at least 92 percent for their total quizzes will receive one letter grade higher
in their final grade.

7. All inquiries or concerns must be sent via e-mail. Messages sent through FB will be ignored.

8. No extra work will be assigned to any student to raise his or her grade. The bonus points that can be
obtained for the course are the ones only specified by the instructor.

I. Consultation Hours

TTh 11:00-12:00 or by appointment

Let me know beforehand if you are going to consult.
E-mail: jbacani@ateneo.edu