UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS AND DEVELOPMENT
ECD201/ECON201: Applied Statistics
MODULE OUTLINE: 2022 BLOCK II
DURATION: Single Block (4 weeks)
LEVEL: 2nd Year
PRE-REQUISITES: ECD105 and ECD102 (ECON105 and ECON110)
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. E. Muhoyi, Office 209, Commerce Building
Purpose of Module/course
Applied Statistics course/module is designed to equip students with a solid and up-to-date
foundation in data analysis tools. The course/module is designed for the second year Bachelor
of Science Honours Degree in Economics students. Applied statistics is central to the
moulding of an economist as it outlines the use of statistical tools in policy formulation and
implementation.
Aims
This course/module is an extension of Descriptive Statistics & Probability Models in
Economics (ECD102/ECON105) and Sampling Theory & Statistical Inference in Economics
(ECD 105/ECON110), whose main aim is to advance students’ statistical knowledge from
just elementary to advanced applied statistical knowledge. This module/course extends
statistical knowledge accrued so far to real world applications. Therefore, this course/module
considers ECD102/ECON105 and ECD105/ECON110 modules as prerequisites.
Intended learning outcomes
This course/module provides students with the opportunity to learn the basics of applied
statistics, with an emphasis on applications and statistical practice rather than statistical proofs
and theory. By the end of the teaching and learning period, students should be able to:
(i) understand and apply the basic concepts of applied statistics;
(ii) apply non-parametric tests, ANOVA and index numbers in economic problem
solving;
(iii) understand the components and behaviour of economic data over time;
(iv) utilise statistical tools to carry out objective economic researches that influence
objective policy formulation/recommendations.
Teaching Methods
The course/module will be taught using online platforms and face to face lectures. Therefore,
students are encouraged to be part of these learning platforms. Students with
disabilities/special needs should contact me as soon as possible to discuss appropriate
accommodations. Please note that the best way to learn statistics is through practice. To
encourage practice, specific tutorial/discussion questions will be handed out in time to allow
prepared answers for each tutorial/discussion session. You are encouraged to work together
on tutorial/discussion questions, but remember that it will be your chance to practise the
material as you will be on your own on the tests and final exam.
In order to accommodate students with questions, students are advised to make use of the
LMS and the Whatsapp platforms. I will also try to avoid answering direct questions (other
than clarifying questions) about tutorial/discussion/assignment questions. Sadly, history has it
that students who relied heavily on me/others to get answers to the tutorial/discussion
questions have tended to do poorly in the course/module tests and final examinations.
Student Assessment
Scheduled assessments for both ECD201(ECON201) will be 50%(25%) of coursework and
50%(75%) of final examination. Coursework assessment will be based tests, quizzes and
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group assignments/projects. The assessment structure for the module/course
(ECD201/ECON201) is made up of the following broad components in the proportions
shown in the table below:
ECD201 ECON201
Group projects/ Group Assignments 30% Group projects/ Group Assignments 15%
Individual tests and quizzes 20% Individual tests and quizzes 10%
Total coursework 50% Total coursework 25%
Final Examination 50% Final Examination 75%
TOTAL 100% TOTAL 100%
Please note that dates for the in-class tests/assignments/quizzes/projects will be announced as
the course/module progresses. It is also important to note that a student who does not have
course work will not be allowed to sit for the final examination.
Module/Course Requirements
■ Scientific calculator and a formulae booklet with statistical tables
Module/Course Content
1: HYPOTHESES TESTING REGARDING:
(a) Multiple Population Means- one-way ANOVA
(b) Non-Parametric data: Kruskal-Wallis Test; Sign Test; Signed Rank Test;
Mann-Whitney Test; Spearman’s rank correlation
2: SIMPLE REGRESSION ANALYSES
(a) Simple Linear Regressions: Review of simple least squares estimation;
parameter estimation; statistical inferences for regression parameters;
prediction/forecasting
(b) Non-linear simple regressions: Parameter estimation; prediction/forecasting
3: TIME SERIES ANALYSES
(a) Indices: Simple Price Indices; Simple quantity indices; Unweighted
aggregate indices; Weighted aggregate indices-: Fisher’s Ideal indices; application of
price indices
(b) Time series concepts-Time series components; Time series models
(c) Trend component analysis and its estimation-: least squares method; semi
averages method; moving averages method; de-trending series
(d) Seasonal component analysis and its estimation-moving average method;
typical and specific seasonal indices; de-seasonalising series
References
Freund, J. E. (1995), Mathematical Statistics, Fifth Edition, Prentice-Hall International, Incl.
Manfield, E. (1994), Statistics for Business and Economics: Methods and Applications,
Fifth edition, W. W. Norton & Company: New York
Newbold, P. (1995), Statistics for Business and Economics, Fourth Edition, Prentice-Hall
International, Incl.
Newbold, P., Carlson, W. L. & Thorne, B. (2010), Statistics for Business and Economics,
Seventh Edition, Prentice-Hall International, Incl.
Scheaffer, R. L., Mendenhall, W. C. & Ott, L. (1990), Elementary Survey Sampling, Fourth
Edition: PSW-Kent.
Johnston, J. and Dinardo, J. (1997), Econometric Methods, McGraw-Hill 4th Ed.
Verbeek, M. (2008), A Guide to Modern Econometrics, Wiley 3rd Ed.
NB: any text book of applied statistics and /or journal/economic paper with statistical
application is useful
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