This course introduces the principles of data representation, summarisation and presentation with particular emphasis on the use of graphics. The course will use the S-Plus Language in a modern computing environment. Topics to be discussed include: Data representation; examples of good and bad graphics; principles of graphic construction; some pitfalls to be avoided; presentation graphics. Graphics environments; interactive graphics; windows; linked windows; graphics objects. Statistical graphics; stem and leaf plots, box plots, histograms; smoothing histograms; quantile-quantile plots; representing multivariate data; scatterplots; clustering; stars and faces; dynamic graphics including data rotation and brushing. Relationships between variables; smoothing scatterplots; simple regression; modelling and diagnostic plots; exploring surfaces; contour plots and perspective plots; multiple regression; relationships in time and space; time series modelling and diagnostic plots.

To achieve an understanding of and facility in:

• Working knowledge of S-Plus statistical computing language, particularly graphical capabilities
• Represent and compare distributions of data
• Summarise and analyse relationships between a response variable and a covariate
• Summarise and analyse relationships between a response variable and several covariate
• Summarise and analyse time- dependent data using basic time series models
• Effectively communicate statistical analyses graphically, numerically and in written reports

Assignments 40%

Project  60%

10 hours per week.

STAT1008 Quantitative Research Methods or STAT1003 Statistical Techniques

Please refer to Course Website