Module Details
| Module Code: |
STAT9011 |
| Title: |
Critical Thinking with Stats.
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Long Title:
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Critical Thinking with Statistics
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| NFQ Level: |
Expert |
| Valid From: |
Semester 1 - 2021/22 ( September 2021 ) |
| Field of Study: |
4620 - Statistics
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| Module Description: |
This module enhances the learner’s competence to think critically about statistics from the broader perspective. Students develop the ability to think in an organized and rational manner about the generation, interpretation and dissemination of statistics in a wide range of fora. Students learn to consider and critically review the full body of evidence to accurately evaluate the reliability, reasonableness, and truthfulness of statistical findings, claims and conclusions reported in the finance industry, the media, and the public square. These critical thinking skills help learners to become better problem solvers and decision makers in all administrative roles in the fund industry.
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| Learning Outcomes |
| On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: |
| # |
Learning Outcome Description |
| LO1 |
Explain the principles and guidelines for evaluating reliability and communication of statistical findings and claims in research. |
| LO2 |
Reflect on ethical responsibilities and the implications of unrepresentativeness and misinformation in statistical reporting, with consideration of context. |
| LO3 |
Critique the analysis of statistical results: characterise, identify and locate incidences of unreliable inferences and claims in a report. |
| LO4 |
Propose corrective measures to improve the reliability and communication of inferential statistics in a report. |
| LO5 |
Evaluate the role of psychology in the generation of statistics, and the role of culture, fashion, and politics is the dissemination of findings. |
| Dependencies |
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
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Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
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| No incompatible modules listed |
Co-requisite Modules
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| No Co-requisite modules listed |
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
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| No requirements listed |
| Indicative Content |
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Definitions etc.
Definitions, proxy variables and the relationship between findings, conclusions and claims in research.
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The role of the reader
Cognitive flexibility, openness, and the impact of bias in interpretation.
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Limits
Extrapolation and the limits of research findings, conclusions and claims.
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Understanding the wider context
Trends, fashion and the wider research context.
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Ethical perspective
The ethical perspective on unrepresentativeness and misinformation in research.
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Impact of heuristics
Recognizing the impact of heuristics on statistical outcomes, and reinterpreting findings to mitigate the effects of bias.
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Establishing credibility
Quality and relevance of data and data sources.
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Differentiating causality from correlation
Differentiating causality from correlation, and questioning temporal precedence, covariation and spuriousness.
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Sampling
Representativeness and sampling in research.
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Issue of reproducibility
The issue of reproducibility when comparing and contrasting research findings.
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Effective communication
Effective communication and reporting in research.
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Contemporary Issues
Topics such as truth and ‘truthiness’.
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Module Content & Assessment
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| Assessment Breakdown | % |
|---|
| Coursework | 100.00% |
Assessments
| No End of Module Formal Examination |
| Reassessment Requirement |
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.
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The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
Module Workload
| Workload: Full Time |
| Workload Type |
Contact Type |
Workload Description |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
Hours |
| Lecture |
Contact |
Lecture |
Every Week |
2.00 |
2 |
| Independent Learning |
Non Contact |
Independent study and presentation preparation |
Every Week |
5.00 |
5 |
| Total Hours |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
2.00 |
| Workload: Part Time |
| Workload Type |
Contact Type |
Workload Description |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
Hours |
| Lecture |
Contact |
Lecture |
Every Week |
2.00 |
2 |
| Independent Learning |
Non Contact |
Independent study and presentation preparation |
Every Week |
5.00 |
5 |
| Total Hours |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
2.00 |
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Module Resources
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| Recommended Book Resources |
|---|
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Harford, T.. (2020), How to Make the World Add Up: Ten Rules for Thinking Differently About Numbers, Bridge Street Press, UK.
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de Vries, R.. (2018), Critical Statistics: Seeing Beyond the Headlines, Red Globe Press, London, UK.
| | Supplementary Book Resources |
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Grimes, D.R.. (2019), The Irrational Ape?: Why Flawed Logic Puts Us All at Risk and How Critical Thinking Can Save the World, Simon & Schuster, London.
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Spiegelhalter, D.. (2019), The Art of Statistics: Learning from Data, Penguin Books Ltd, UK.
| | This module does not have any article/paper resources |
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| Other Resources |
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Online Newspaper Supplement, Financial Times. FTfm,
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Radio show, BBC 4 Radio. More or Less (weekly) (a weekly BBC 4
radio programme that critically analyses
important recently published statistics).
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