Economics 252 - Stat Principles & Ethics

The course will provide a rigorous presentation of fundamental statistical principles and ethics as well as the standards that should guide the relationship of official statistical institutions and statisticians with policy making, research, press, and other institutions in the twenty-first century.  It will develop capacity to assess the conditions for the production of the official statistics of a country as well as identify areas for improvement.  The course is designed to satisfy the needs of students who may eventually be employed as producers of economic, social, or other statistics by providing them with a strong foundation in international statistical principles and professional ethics, which is essential for the production of reliable, high quality statistics.  At the same time, the course is also geared towards students who would be users of economic, social, or other statistics in their present capacity or in their future employment.  It will provide them tools to assess the quality of the official and other statistics they use but also make them responsible interlocutors of statisticians and effective supporters of reliable, high quality statistics in their professions.  The course will explore the implications of statistical principles and ethics for the operation of national, regional, and international statistical systems.  It will also discuss the implications for the proper place of official statistics within a modern system of separate branches of government.  Examples, case studies, and discussion will provide a full appreciation of real world applications of the subject matter of the course. 

Requisite: ECON 111. Limited to 50 students. Spring semester. Visiting Lecturer Georgiou.