ETC3580: Advanced Statistical Modelling

4x 10% assignments
They were RMarkDown projects on some form of statistical analysis and modelling tasks, which were useful in developing some useful data analysis and R skills.

1x 60% final exam
This was examined using an eExam quiz this year, with a few multiple choice, typed and written questions (of which, you will need to take a picture and upload it on the platform). This year, the exam was reasonable, with quite a few tricky bits.

This unit’s content is divided into 4 sections:
1)Linear models and diagnostics
2)Generalised linear models (GLM) and diagnostics
3)Mixed effects models (and their generalised equivalent)
4)Non-parametric regression models (and their generalised equivalent)

The unit serves as an extension for the linear model framework (which you should learn in ETC2410 or ETC2420) and goes through many different models that are designed to tackle certain issues, particularly for economic, cross-sectional data. However, this is not a typical econometrics unit, as it was designed to mimic the Faraway textbook for general purposes in statistics. As such, there are some terminologies that might confuse the average, observant econometrics student (random effects, robust estimation, etc.).

Content wise, this unit is not too hard, though some might find the theoretical derivations difficult, which to me was definitely reinforced by doing other units (ETC3400, MTH3260). It is quite applicable for most cases, and definitely a good place to reinforce some foundational skills for graduate programs in quantitative roles, and honours as well. However, I felt that most of the content taught in this unit might be a bit outdated and the learning curve is still high for students who want to explore these concepts further. GLMs are important in the quantitative world, but it’s swiftly being replaced by better techniques (CNNs, boosting algorithms, etc.).

The tutorials were definitely a plus for this unit even when it’s done online. The tutor I had (Joan Tan) was very good and detailed in her explanations of the tutorial questions and solutions, and even added her own opinions to what was being presented to us as solutions, which I thought was very good in helping me understand crucial concepts of the unit.

Enjoyable unit, though it’s not particularly striking in any way.

Dr. Didier Nibbering. Nice guy.

1x past exam with solutions

4 out of 5

Yes, with screen capture

Faraway’s Extending the Linear Model, this textbook is also provided by the lecturer, and is sometimes a good read to reinforce concepts taught more deeply.

2x 1-hour lectures, 1x 1.5-hour tutorials

2020 S2

91 HD