Admission requirements
This course is only available for students in the BA Urban Studies programme. Students need to have passed Methodological Seminar.
Please note that passing this course is an entry requirement for starting the Urban Environmental Science graduation project in the third year.
Description
In this course students’ knowledge of probability theory will be refreshed and applied to the statistical tests used most frequently in urban studies and other disciplines. The aim is for students to understand the following concepts: sampling distribution; statistical reliability; hypothesis testing; the principles and procedures for the various significance tests. Students should be able to select, perform, and report the results of an appropriate test. Students will acquire skills in working with statistical software (R) used for these tests.
Course objectives
General learning outcomes
See tab Additional information for the overview of the programme's general learning outcomes. In the assessment methods below is outlined which general learning outcome will be tested through which method.
Course objectives, pertaining to this course
Introduction to inferential statistical procedures by examining the general theory of hypothesis testing and describing specific concepts as they apply to all hypothesis tests.
Introduction to the concept of probability, its rules, and applications.
Introduction of the chi-square test for testing hypotheses using categorical, count, or frequency data.
Introduction of the t-test for testing hypotheses about means and proportions for one-sample designs.
Introduction of the t-test for testing hypotheses about means and proportions for two-sample designs.
Introduction of the estimation of magnitude of differences between means, the calculation and interpretation of effect sizes.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Either on-campus meetings (voluntary but prepared attendance) 2 hour workgroups covering problems, theory, and skills (max 12 students per group);
Or on-line meetings (voluntary but prepared attendance) 1 hour workgroups covering problems and theory (max 6 students per group). 1 hour workgroup covering skills (no maximum per group);
e-Learning and formative assessment modules (2 hours a week, on average);
Problem-based self-tuition (more than 8 hours a week, on average).
Assessment method
Assessment
Weekly assignments covering theory and skills (no grade);
Weekly assessments covering theory and skills (no grade);
Two home assignments covering theory, statistical tests, and skills from the literature, e-learning modules, computer practice, and (online) meetings;
An exam covering theory, statistical tests, and skills from the literature, e-learning modules, computer practice, and (online) meetings.
Weighing
| Partial grade | Weighing |
|---|---|
| Home assignments | 20% |
| Exam | 80% |
End grade
To successfully complete the course, please take note that the end grade of the course is established by determining the weighted average of all assessment components.
Resit
If the end grade is insufficient (lower than 5.5), there is a possibility of retaking either home assignment or the exam, replacing the insufficient home assignment grade(s) or the insufficient exam grade, respectively. Note that a resit home assignment grade cannot be higher than 6.0 (restriction). This does not apply to the resit exam grade.
If students need to retake any course for a second time, they are required to retake all elements of the course assessment, and may not carry over individual assessment grades from previous years.
Faculty regulations concerning participation in resits are listed in article 4.1 of the Faculty Course and Examination Regulations.
Feedback and inspection
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organised.
Reading list
See Brightspace.
Registration
- Enrolment through My Studymap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Registration Exchange
For the registration of exchange students contact Humanities International Office.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Student Affairs Office for BA Urban Studies.
Remarks
Attendence is voluntary but preparation is required for the weekly meetings. The objectives build on objective from previous weeks, so keeping up is a requirement that should not be underestimated.
The course contains some calculations that require a proper understanding of basic mathematics. Also, R and RStudio are used as teaching aids and a certain affinity with problem solving computer skills will be to the student’s advantage.
Please take a look at Brightspace for the latest information (entry requirements, meetings, attendance, materials, overview, load, grading, resits, contact, etc.) on the course.
You may only sign up for one thematic and one methodological elective in each semester of the second year (via MyStudyMap). Only if there is place left, you can take up a second Thematic and/or Methodological elective. A week before the start of the semester, you will receive an email from the administration which will indicate if any spots are still available. If this is the case, you can enroll by replying to this message. If more students show interest in a second elective than the number of places available, students will be selected via a lottery.