Economic statistics study the analysis of economic phenomena. It is a statistic that aims to help the public decision-maker, to understand what the economic condition of the country is. The course aims to gradually introduce students to the formalism, the terminology and tools for the knowledge of measurement systems and statistical analysis of the main phenomena of our economic system. The program is ideally divided into nine parts ranging from the indication and explanation of the statistical tools used in economics, to the presentation of economic theories that influence the behavioral and decision-making models of economic agents. At the end of the course, students will be able to quantify the main economic phenomena and compare the most widely used measurement methods at the international level.

The demand for economic statistics
Descriptive, inferential and economic statistics

DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS

• Data, Types of variables, Scales of measurement, Population and sample, Parameters and statistics, Descriptive statistics and inference, Statistical surveys and sampling
• Frequencies and graphical representation
• Measures of central tendency and variability
• Correlation and dependence
• Exploratory data analysis

• Linear regression and inference

NATIONAL ACCOUNTING

• Concepts, definitions and basic classifications of national accounting: The economic system; Economic agents; Economic aggregates
• Time series. Simple and complex index numbers. Measures of inflation. Deflation.
• The main producers of economic statistics. The international statistical system. The European and central banking statistical system. The national statistical system
• Structural statistics on companies and institutions. Short-term statistics. Statistics on consumption, wealth and poverty of Italian households. Monetary and financial statistics

At the end of the course, students will be able to manage the acquired techniques of economic statistics concerning different economic agents and sectors: consumers, firms, industry associations and governments.

Knowledge and Understanding: at the end of the semester students are expected to know statistical methods by means of which they will be able to analyze economic systems. Further, they will learn how to find information from several statistical sources and how to manage it.

Applying Knowledge and Understanding: students will be able to make inference by means of quantitative methods and to evaluate their efficacy.

Making Judgements: students will be able to analyze information to solve several types of problems, to choose the most appropriate method and to evaluate the soundness of found solutions.

Communication Skills: students will learn how to present results from their analyses by means of short reports and graphics. They will learn to work together and present their statistical analysis.

Learning Skills: students will be able to apply technical knowledge acquired in other courses and integrate them with skills that they will learn during this course.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Integrated with slides

Teaching

• Frontal lessons
• Exercises in the classroom
• Exercises at home

Innovative teaching methods

Debate: During the brainstorming phase on the assigned topic, the students are divided into teams, one for and one against. They are then tasked to participate in a debate on the key topic established in the preparatory phase.

Problem-based learning: To facilitate problem-based learning within small groups, the classroom environment will be organised to encourage collaborative work in small groups, preferably of 6-8 students.

Attendance

Highly suggested

Course books

Reference book:

• S. Borra e A. Di Ciaccio, Statistica: Metodologie per le Scienze Economiche e Sociali 4/ED, McGraw-Hill, 2021, Capitoli 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5 ,6, 16

Insights (optional):

• E. Giovannini, Le statistiche economiche, 2006, il Mulino. Capitoli 2, 3, 4

Assessment

Oral test consisting of a discussion of an application paper previously agreed upon with the professor and an interview concerning the main statistical measures and concepts of national accounting.

The evaluation criteria and the scale of marks are as follows:
• less than 18: competence level insufficient. The student doesn’t reach the learning results described in “knowledge and understanding”;
• 18-20: competence level sufficient. The student attains the learning results described in “knowledge and understanding”;
• 21-23: competence level satisfactory. The student attains the learning results described in “knowledge and understanding” and in “applied knowledge and understanding”;
• 24-26: competence level good. The student attains the learning results described in “knowledge and understanding”, “applied knowledge and understanding” and “making judgments”;
• 27-29: competence level very good. The student attains the learning results described in “knowledge and understanding”, “applied knowledge and understanding”, “making judgments” and “communication skills”;
• 30-30 with honours: competence level excellent. The student fully attains the learning results described in “knowledge and understanding”, “applied knowledge and understanding”, “making judgments” and “learning skills”.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

There are no changes in the conditions for non-attending students 

Attendance

There are no changes in the conditions for non-attending students 

Course books

There are no changes in the conditions for non-attending students 

Assessment

There are no changes in the conditions for non-attending students 

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.