Login
Student authentication

Is it the first time you are entering this system?
Use the following link to activate your id and create your password.
»  Create / Recover Password

Syllabus

EN IT

Learning Objectives

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The course aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the main inferential problems, with particular reference to estimation theory and hypothesis testing, for both small and large samples, adopting an integrated theoretical and applied approach.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Students will acquire the main statistical inference techniques and the necessary tools to critically assess their effectiveness and scope of application.

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
By the end of the course, students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to the formulation of practical problems and the solution of analytical questions. In particular, they will be able to determine and compare estimators, evaluate alternative inferential methods, and implement hypothesis testing procedures.

MAKING JUDGEMENTS
Students will develop the ability to independently use the statistical tools acquired and to critically interpret quantitative data, with reference to economic and financial phenomena.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Students will be able to use the technical language of statistics and to communicate results and concepts clearly, rigorously, and without ambiguity.

LEARNING SKILLS
By the end of the course, students will have developed the skills necessary to independently deepen their knowledge of advanced topics in statistical inference.

Prerequisites

Students should be familiar with mathematical concepts (including the connection between exponential and logarithmic functions), basic calculus (derivatives, integrals, and function analysis), and elementary concepts of probability and statistics (e.g., descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate random variables, independence of random variables, Gaussian distribution, and basic concepts of inference).

Suggested Refences:
Simon, C. P., & Blume, L. (1994). Mathematics for economists. New York: Norton.
Mood, A. M., Graybill, F. A., & Boes, D. C. (2007). Introduction to the Theory of Statistics, 3rd Edn. McGraw-Hill

Program

The program is structured into three thematic areas:
1. Sample Random Variables and Statistics (10 hours)
2. Point and Interval Estimation (16 hours)
3. Hypothesis Testing: Criteria and Construction of Optimal Tests (10 hours)

Specifically, the following topics will be covered:
• (Brief Recall of Probability) Multivariate random variables and a review of asymptotic theory (2 hours)
• Sampling and Sampling Distributions (6 hours)
• Sufficiency and Likelihood Principle (2 hours)

Inference and Point Estimation
- Properties of estimators for small and large samples (2 hours)
- Mean Squared Error. UMVUE estimators (2 hours)
- Estimation methods: method of moments (2 hours)
- Maximum likelihood method (2 hours)
- Maximum likelihood estimators (2 hours)
- Comparison of estimators (2 hours)
- Bayesian estimators (2 hours)
- Confidence intervals (2 hours)

Hypothesis Testing: Optimal Tests
• Neyman-Pearson Lemma (2 hours)
• Likelihood Ratio Test (2 hours)
• Asymptotic Tests: Likelihood Ratio Tests, Score Test, Wald Test (2 hours)
• p-value Approach to Hypothesis Testing (2 hours)
• Nonparametric Inference (2 hours)

Books

Required: Casella, George, and Roger L. Berger. Statistical inference. Cengage Learning, 2021.

Bibliography

Suggested texts:

K. Knight. Mathematical statistics. Chapman Hall/CRC (2000).
N. Mukhopadhyay. Probability and Statistical Inference, Dekker-CRC Press (2000).
T. H. Wonnacott and R. J. Wonnacott. Statistics: Discovering Its Power. John Wiley
Sons; International Ed edition (1982).
A. Mood, F. Graybill and D. Boes. Introduction to the theory of statistics, McGraw-Hill (1974).

Teaching methods

Lessons and practices in class

Exam Rules

The final exam consists of a written test and a discussion of the written test. The written test includes exercises as well as open-ended and multiple-choice theoretical questions covering the entire syllabus.

The final grade is expressed on a 30-point scale. The theoretical questions account for up to 12 points. The main inference exercise, which covers likelihood theory and hypothesis testing, accounts for up to 12 points. The remaining 6 points are assigned to inference exercises that require intuitive reasoning skills, namely the ability to understand and solve problems based on rapid analysis and immediate comprehension of the underlying concepts.

During the course, students may complete one or two take-home assignments and one or two unannounced multiple-choice quizzes in class; these activities may contribute up to 2 additional points to the final grade, provided that the exam is taken in the winter session.


During the exam, it will be assessed whether students have acquired the ability to formalize practical problems and to solve specific analytical questions (e.g., determining and comparing estimators, evaluating alternative inferential methods, and implementing hypothesis testing procedures).
Students will also be evaluated on their ability to use the knowledge acquired and to critically interpret the results.

Final grading criteria:

o Fail: major deficiencies and/or inaccuracies in knowledge and
understanding of topics; limited ability to analyze and synthesize; frequent
generalizations.

o 18-20: Minimum passing level of knowledge and understanding of topics with
possible imperfections; Sufficient ability to analyze and synthesize, with limited independent judgment.

o 21-23: Routine knowledge and understanding of topics; Correct analysis and
synthesis skills with coherent logical argumentation.

o 24-26: Fair knowledge and understanding of topics; Good analytical and
synthesis skills with rigorously expressed arguments.

o 27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of topics; Strong analytical and synthesis skills. Good independent judgment.

o 30-30L: Excellent level of knowledge and understanding of topics.
Remarkable analytical and synthesis skills and independent judgment.
Arguments expressed in an original way.

Attendance Rules

Not compulsory, but strongly recommended. Active class participation is strongly encouraged.