Business statistics provides the student with the basic statistical methods which are currently used in a variety of business applications. The first part of the course is devoted to the description of the main official data sources on enterprises among which Census and sample survey statistics alongside main National accounts aggregates. The purpose is to become familiar with the macroeconomic context hosting the business. The second part of the course deals with statistical methods. After a refresher on basic descriptive statistics and inference, some of the main statistical models for business decisions will be addressed (time series models, analysis of variance, multiple linear regression model). Given the applied focus of the course, various case studies will be presented. The third part of the course will deal with typical applications such as statistical quality control and market research. The course will comprise 30 hours of classes plus 6 hours dedicated to exercises. The e-learning platform of the Faculty of Economics will be intensively exploited, so that students will be required to download and upload home-works, handouts and other course materials and take online self-assessment quizzes periodically.
Learning goals:
- Become familiar with main data sources relevant for businesses and the economy
- Acquire statistical tools and be able to use them to address empirical problems