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Lismore Session 2 Session 2
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Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Introductory

Former School/College

Former School of Environment, Science and Engineering

Pre-requisites

ISY00241 - Environmental Information Management

Unit aim

Introduces statistical methods required for environmental management, the different types of variables, descriptive statistics and tests of significance (chi-square, t-test, correlation and regression and analysis of variance). Emphasis is placed on choosing a suitable type of data and using an appropriate statistical method in an environmental management setting.

Unit content

  • Review of descriptive statistics: data types, number skills, rounding, significant figures, presentation of different variable types and use of scientific calculators
  • Measures of central tendency: mean, mode and median
  • Measures of dispersion, variance and standard deviation
  • Experimental and survey design
  • The normal distribution
  • Confidence intervals
  • Hypotheses testing, student's t test and chi square
  • Correlation
  • Linear regression
  • One-way analysis of variance
  • Two-way analysis of variance
  • Human and animal care and ethics
  • Data management skills for statistics.

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 show recognition of the different types of variables used in environmental science/management (nominal, ordinal, discrete and continuous)
2 calculate means, standard deviations, variance and chi square, using a scientific calculator
3 propose a suitable research question, develop methodologies that would lead to collection of the correct type of data and perform appropriate statistical tests for an investigation relevant to environmental science/management
4 state the null hypothesis, calculate required values and interpret the following statistical tests, chi square, t test, correlation, regression and analysis of variance for research questions relevant to environmental science/management
5 explain the difference between a population and a sample and have a basic understanding of key concepts, symbols and terms relevant to survey and experimental design
6 interpret the results of statistical tests and explain the consequences of Type I and Type II errors in tests of significance and explain the consequences of Type I and Type II errors to environmental management
7 interpret statistical tests of significance in environmental management problems.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. show recognition of the different types of variables used in environmental science/management (nominal, ordinal, discrete and continuous)
    • GA4:
  2. calculate means, standard deviations, variance and chi square, using a scientific calculator
    • GA4:
  3. propose a suitable research question, develop methodologies that would lead to collection of the correct type of data and perform appropriate statistical tests for an investigation relevant to environmental science/management
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
  4. state the null hypothesis, calculate required values and interpret the following statistical tests, chi square, t test, correlation, regression and analysis of variance for research questions relevant to environmental science/management
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  5. explain the difference between a population and a sample and have a basic understanding of key concepts, symbols and terms relevant to survey and experimental design
    • GA4:
  6. interpret the results of statistical tests and explain the consequences of Type I and Type II errors in tests of significance and explain the consequences of Type I and Type II errors to environmental management
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
  7. interpret statistical tests of significance in environmental management problems.
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:

Prescribed texts

  • No prescribed texts.
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.