STA 575 -
Nonparametric
Statistics
Spring 2006
Instructor: Dr. Scott Richter
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Office:
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Phone: 256-1123
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I. About the
course
This course is an introduction to
nonparametric
statistical methods. Topics include nonparametric methods for one, two
and k
independent samples, two or more dependent samples, measures of
association,
contingency tables with nominal and ordinal variables, nonparametric
bootstrapping techniques, density estimation and smoothing. After
completing
the course, students will be able to: 1) explain the difference between
nonparametric and parametric methods; 2) determine when nonparametric
methods
are more appropriate; 3) apply selected nonparametric methods to data
and
explain the results of their analysis.
Prerequisite: grade of at least "C" in STA 352 or STA 572 or STA 662 or permission of instructor. Students are expected to be familiar with normal and binomial distributions, t-methods for one and two sample tests and confidence intervals, one-way analysis of variance, bivariate correlation and regression, tests and confidence intervals for proportions, analysis of contingency tables.
We will use the text: An
Introduction to Modern
Nonparametric Statistics by James J. Higgins, and expect to
cover
most of the material in Chapters 1-5, 8 and10.
II. Assignments and Tests
1) Assignments consisting of exercises from the text and occasionally
supplementary exercises will be assigned regularly, collected and
graded. These
will be designed to provide practice and to
help
synthesize readings, class discussions, and lectures. *Late assignments will not generally be accepted
without
prior arrangement, and will receive a score of zero.
2) There will be two take-home tests. The test due dates will be announced in class. *Late tests will not be accepted.
Graduate students: Graduate students will be expected to demonstrate a deeper understanding of concepts, and will be expected to complete additional exercises on assignments and tests.
Student collaboration:
1) Assignments: Students are encouraged to
discuss
solutions to Assignments, but the final write-ups for submission should
be done
independently.
2) Tests: Students should work on the
take-home tests
independently, and are not to discuss solutions with other students or
seek
assistance from persons outside of class. It is permissible, however,
to
discuss the tests problems with me.
III.
Determination of
course grade
Tests: 50% of course grade.
Text Assignments: 50% of course grade.
Grading scale:
|
Overall average |
Grade |
|
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90 or above |
A or A- |
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80-89 |
B+, B or B- |
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70-79 |
C+, C or C- |
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60-69 |
D+, D or D- |
* |
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Below 60 |
F |
|
*Note: For graduate students an overall
average
below 70 corresponds to a grade of "F".
IV. Academic
Integrity
Students are encouraged to discuss
solutions to
assignments, but each student is expected to write up his or her
solutions
independently. Copying other people's work is plagiarism and is an
Honor Code
violation. You are responsible for knowing and abiding by the UNCG Honor Code.
V. Disabilities
If you have a documented disability and
wish to
discuss academic accommodations, please contact me as soon as possible.