Course code Mate1012
Credit points 3
Social Statistics
Total Hours in Course81
Number of hours for lectures16
Number of hours for seminars and practical classes16
Independent study hours49
Date of course confirmation18.10.2021
Responsible UnitInstitute of Computer Systems and Data Science
Course developer
Datoru sistēmu un datu zinātnes institūts
Laima Bērziņa
Dr. sc.ing.
Course abstract
The study course provides an introduction to basic methods for studying social processes. After completing the course students acquire skills to analyse probability distributions, to apply descriptive statistics and to proceed time series analysis. The emphasis will be given on relationship analysis for continuous and categorical variables for understanding social processes.
Learning outcomes and their assessment
Knowledge – about collection of social statistics data, classification of variables and basic methods for data analysis according to the research tasks (practical works). Skills – ability to carry out analyses with certain tasks of social processes research (practical works, tests). Competence – to analyse and systematize the results of data processing with critical insights in the context of assumptions and analysis results (independent work).
Course Content(Calendar)
1. Introduction to social statistics methodology.
2. Sampling and measurement.
3. Probability distributions and graphical representations.
4. Descriptive statistics.
5. Time series analysis.
6. Correlation analysis for continuous data.
7. Linear regression.
8. Nonlinear regression.
9. Multiple regression.
10. Correlation analysis for non-continuous data.
11. Association analysis between categorical variables.
12. Analysis of population characteristics.
13. Territorial statistics.
14. Analysis of social processes – composition of households and budget surveys.
15. Analysis of social processes – education and employment.
16. Analysis of social processes – social security and health care.
All topics specified for full-time studies are covered, but the number of contact hours is reduced to half of the number specified for full-time studies.
Requirements for awarding credit points
Exam evaluation depends on the semester cumulative assessment: 1st test (30 points), 2nd test (30 points), exam (40 points). 10 points equal to 1 point of exam mark. Tests can be written only at specified time and once.
Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work
During the semester, the student must work independently to fortify theoretical knowledge, to complete practical work regularly, and to prepare for tests and exam.
Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes
Exam evaluation depends on the test’s cumulative assessment (60%) and exam (40%). The student takes the exam within the specified examination time during the session. The assessment can be improved in accordance with the LBTU regulatory framework.
Compulsory reading
1. Orlovska A. Statistika. Mācību līdzeklis. Rīga: RTU, 2012. 191 lpp. 2. Arhipova I., Bāliņa S. Statistika ekonomikā un biznesā. Rīga: Datorzinību Centrs, 2006. 364 lpp.
2. Statistics for the behavioral sciences / Frederick J Gravetter, Larry B. Wallnau. Belmont, CA : Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2004. 746 p.
3. Sullivan M. Statistics : informed decisions using data. Upper Saddle River, N.J. : Prentice Hall is an imprint of Pearson, 2010. 788 p.
4. Lane D. Introduction to Statistics. E-book, 2003. Available: https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/459
5. Illowsky B, Dean S. Introductory Statistics E-book, 2013. Available: https://openstax.org/details/books/introductory-statistics?Book%20details
Further reading
1.Agresti A. Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences. Pearson, 2018. 576 p.
2.Aron A., Aron E., Coups E. Statistics for The Behavioral and Social Sciences. Harlow: Pearson Education, 2010. 504 p.
3.Levin J., Fox J., Forde R. Elementary Statistics in Social Research. Boston: Allyn & Bacon Pearson, 2010. 554 p.
4.Dietz T., Kalof L. Introduction to Social Statistics: The Logic of Statistical Reasoning. Wiley-Blackwell, 2009. 608 p.
Periodicals and other sources
Centrālās statistikas pārvaldes mājas lapa [tiešsaiste]. Pieejams: https://www.csb.gov.lv
Social Science Statistics [online]. Available: https://www.socscistatistics.com/
Official Statistics Portal [online] Available: https://stat.gov.lv/en
Eurostat [online] Available: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/main
FAOSTAT [online] Available: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#home
Notes
Academic study programme Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration.