Statistics in Government (ODL) SPS5048

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Summer
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Taught Wholly by Distance Learning: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

The course provides an overview of issues, legal frameworks, ethical considerations, and dissemination practices of official statistics from the UK, EU, and relevant international governments, institutions, and organisations.

Timetable

Course to be delivered by online distance learning; 1 hour video recording released each week for 10 weeks in semester 3.

Requirements of Entry

The course is only available to students on the MSc/PGDip/PGCert in Data Analytics for Government.

Excluded Courses

none

Assessment

Two online quizzes (25% each)

Essay, 2500 words (50%)

Course Aims

The aims of this course are:

■ To introduce issues and ideas concerning the scope and organisation of official statistics.

■ To provide an overview of the processes and products of official statistics in the UK, EU, and relevant international governments and institutions.

■ To develop a general foundation for the more detailed study of official statistics and government data, and identify links with other relevant disciplines.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Describe a broad overview of the fundamental issues underlying the organisation of official statistics.

■ Discuss the pertinent international laws and legislation surrounding official statistics understanding of the UK and EU.

■ Demonstrate a critical awareness of standards, frameworks, and codes of practice of official statistics.

■ Express an understanding of ethics in the collection, analysis, and dissemination of official statistics.

■ Apply current best practices to disseminate official statistics.

■ Recognise data management practices in government.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.