Statistics, Economics, and Social Sciences

Learning goals The learning goal of the Laboratory is the knowledge of the main functions and tools of Excel, with particular attention to functionalities useful in the field of empirical social research. The aim is to provide students with knowledge that enables them to work independently with Excel, becoming familiar with the software interface and syntax, and acquiring the skills necessary to perform research operations such as: - Data storage and construction of a new matrix; - Management of databases and differently constructed data matrices; - Data cleaning and pre-processing of different type of information; - Recoding of variables; - Sampling procedures involving simple random extraction of cases; - Calculation of descriptive statistics of cardinal variables; - Mono and bivariate data analysis using specific functions and tools; - Production of graphs and tables. Students will acquire theoretical and methodological knowledge by implement what was explained by the teacher, thanks to the alternation of lectures, practical activities (individual work and teamwork) and moments of discussion in the classroom. Knowledge and understanding Students will face in practice the main phases of data cleaning, pre-processing, and statistical- descriptive analysis. At the end of the laboratory, students will have learned the functions and tools of Excel that allow them to manage databases and data matrices, perform recoding operations of variables, pre-process unstructured textual data, perform mono and bivariate data analysis, as well as develop graphical representations. Applying knowledge and understanding Through practical experience, students will learn: how to store and organize information in a matrix built from scratch; how to handle and manage databases obtained through platforms for building and compiling online questionnaires or exported from other statistical analysis software; how to choose the most suitable tools and procedures to carry out specific data cleaning, processing, and analysis operations; how to present the results of data analysis through the production of graphs and tables. Making judgements Revisiting the various methodological phases of data processing and analysis, students acquire judgment, decision-making and problem-solving skills thanks to an experience of cooperative learning, which encourages constant discussion among peers and with the teacher. Communication skills Participation in group work and discussion in the classroom of the practical results obtained at the end of each practical session enhances students' communication skills. In particular, these activities allow improving communication strategies in peer-to-peer discussions and offer the opportunity to practice public speaking. Learning skills The applied research activity allows students to broaden the theoretical knowledge already acquired and to strengthen the theoretical and practical learning capacity of advanced approaches, methods and techniques for analyzing social phenomena.