Unit description
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.
Learning outcomes and graduate attributes
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) | Knowledge of a discipline | ||||||
2 | calculate means, standard deviations, variance and chi square, using a scientific calculator | Knowledge of a discipline | ||||||
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 | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | Lifelong learning | ||||
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 | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | |||||
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 | Knowledge of a discipline | ||||||
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 | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | Lifelong learning | ||||
7 | interpret statistical tests of significance in environmental management problems. | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | Lifelong learning |
Prescribed texts
Session 2
- No prescribed texts.
Teaching and assessment
Lismore
Teaching method |
Lecture on-site 2 hours (10 weeks) |
Tutorial on-site 2 hours (10 weeks) |
Structured online learning 1 hour (14 weeks) |
Assessment | |
Quiz | SR |
Quiz | SR |
Research Proposal | 25% |
Research Proposal | 25% |
Exam: open book | 50% |
Online
Teaching method |
Structured online learning 5 hours (14 weeks) |
Assessment | |
Quiz | SR |
Quiz | SR |
Research Proposal | 25% |
Research Proposal | 25% |
Exam: open book | 50% |
Fee information
Domestic
Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.
Commencing 2014 Commonwealth Supported only. Student contribution band: 2
Fee paying courses
For POSTGRADUATE or UNDERGRADUATE full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees
International
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