COVENANT UNIVERSITY, OTA

College of Development Studies

Department of Economics and Development Studies
COURSE COMPACT

COURSE CODE: ECN416

COURSE TITLE: Applied Statistics
SESSION: 2018/2019 Academic Session
SEMESTER: ALPHA
LECTURERS: (i) Dr. Henry Okodua
(ii) Dr. Emmanuel Oduntan (Room D205e, Ext. 2233)

CONTACT DAY: (i) Wednesdays (8 – 10 am) Venue- G301

Total Contact Hours per Week: Two Hours

BRIEF COURSE DESCRIPTION: the central focus of this course is the branch of statistics
known as inferential statistics. This has to do essentially with the science of using probability to
make decisions. Because probability is basic to statistical decision making, considerable energy
will be devoted to the application of the “laws of chance” throughout this course.
COURSE OBJECTIVE:
This course is aimed at equipping the student with the relevant statistical techniques that are
applicable to empirical economics. The Topics are carefully selected in order to build on
knowledge already acquired by the student in mathematics and elementary statistics. It is hoped
that the student will be able to devise more precise and robust methods of analyzing quantitative
economic data at the end of this course.
MODE OF TEACHING/LECTURE DELIVERY:
Formal teaching technique will be adopted. However, modern teaching aid including multi-
media projector and audiovisuals and smart-boards shall be employed in order to enhance
teaching effectiveness. Lecture materials will be made available online via the Covenant
University college portal. The student is therefore expected to consult these materials,
particularly the lecture notes, before each lecture.
Continuous assessment for this course will be based on the following:
(i) Regular and punctual attendance of all scheduled lectures by the student
(ii) The level of participation of the student in every authorized class discussion during
lectures
(iii) The quality of participation in organized tutorial classes
(iv) Performance of the student in all administered class tests (scheduled and
impromptu) during the semester, including the mid-semester examination.
GRADING METHOD:
This is comprised of the following:
End of semester examination: 70%
Continuous Assessment: (i) Mid-Semester examination: 15%
(ii) Take-home assignments, administered tests, etc. 15%

COURSE OUTLINE
Topics to be covered include the following:

Module One: Sample Survey Design

Week 1

 Role of Sampling
 Advantages of Sample Survey
 Principal Steps in Sampling
 Survey Questionnaires and their Design
 Sampling And Non-Sampling Errors In Surveys
 Probability and non-Probability Sampling Techniques
 Data Collection
Week 2

 Simple Random Sampling

Module Two: Index Number

Week 3

 Meaning and Uses of Index Number

 Problem of Construction

Module Three: Time Series Analysis

Week 4

 Meaning and Uses of Time Series

 Smoothening Techniques
 Decomposition of Time Series
Module Four: Theory of Estimation and Test of Hypothesis
Week 5

 Introduction
 Sampling Distribution of a Statistic
 Point and Interval Estimation

Week 6 & 7

 Hypothesis Testing and Tests of Significance

 Procedure for Testing of Hypothesis

Week 8

 Non-Parametric Test of Hypothesis

Week 9

 Meaning and uses of Experimental Design

 One-way and Two-way classifications of ANOVA

Module Six: Basic Elements of a Research

Week 10

 Meaning of Research and Selecting a Good Research Topic

 Reviewing the Related Literature and Identifying the Gaps
 Defining the Statement of Research Problem
 Choosing an Appropriate Research Methodology

Module Seven: Statistical Quality Control

Week 11

 Essence of Quality Control

 Types of Variation in Quality
 Control Charts and Control Attributes
 Application
Week 12

 Revision

Ground Rules/Regulations
Students are expected to be in class before commencement of lectures. They are equally
expected to be well-behaved so that the aims of the course will be achieved.
Entrance into the lecture halls is not condoned ten minutes into the lecture.
Students are encouraged to participate actively in class during interactive sessions.
Prior notice should be given if a student will be absent from any class.

Topics for the Term Papers/Assignments/Students Activities

Students are organized into groups of not more than ten. Each group is expected to choose a
research topic in any area of economics. And with their knowledge in economics and statistics,
they are expected to present a mini-project on the area chosen.

Alignment with Covenant University Visions/Goals

The course content and delivery is in line with the university’s visions and goals in the sense that
it prepares students who will take up leadership positions in government, industry, banking,
planning, academics and the service sector not only within the domestic economy but also in
regional and international institutions.

Contemporary Issue/Industry Relevance

Examples are drawn from current economic, banking and finance related issues particularly as it
concerns policy analysis, recommendations, implementations and implications.

RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOK
Gupta, S. C. (2012): Fundamentals of Statistics. Delhi. Himalaya Publishing House