STA312

Applied Statistical Modeling: Categorical Data Analysis

University of Toronto Mississauga, Fall 2012

http://utstat.toronto.edu/~brunner/312f12

Lecture: Tuesday 10:10 - 12:00 in DV3093, and Thursday 11:10 - 12:00 in NE 228

• Instructor: Jerry Brunner
• Office: 4059c, Davis Building
• Phone: 905-828-3816
• email: brunner[at]utstat.toronto.edu
• Office Hours: Tuesday 12:10-1:00 and Thursday 12:10-2:00

Note: Jerry does not read his email every day. It is much more efficient to talk with him before or after class, or during office hours.

Tutorial: Friday 11:10-12:00 in NE160

• Instructor: Kaijie Xue
• Office: 1160, Davis Building
• Email: kaijie[at]utstat.toronto.edu
• Office Hours: Fri 10:10-11:00

Textbook: An introduction to categorical data analysis (2nd ed.) by Alan Agresti. It is available in pdf format free through the U of T library.

Topics: Introduction and review, Multinomial distribution, Contingency tables, Logistic regression for binary response variables, Generalized linear models, Poisson regression, Logistic regression for multi-category response variables, Log-linear models for multi-dimensional contingency tables. The R statistical software will be used.

Prerequisites: STA258H5/ECO327Y5

Grading: Marks will be based on equally weighted weekly quizzes given in tutorial, unannounced pop quizzes given in lecture, and a comprehensive final exam. Percentages are as follows:

Quizzes in Tutorial	60%
Pop quizzes in Lecture	10%
Final Exam	30%

Eleven regular quizzes will be given in tutorial starting Sept. 21st. Quiz dates are Sept. 21, 28, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. The lowest regular quiz mark will be dropped.

There will be an assignment for each regular quiz. The knowledge you need to do each quiz is a subset of the knowledge you need to do the corresponding assignment. Some (most) of the assignments include a computer part. You will bring printouts to the quiz and answer questions based on the printouts. Possibly, one of the quiz questions will be to hand in a printout. The non-computer parts of the assignments are just to prepare you for the quizzes; they will never be handed in.

Pop quizzes will be given in lecture. The number of pop quizzes and their timing is random and not known in advance, except that there will be no pop quizzes the first week. The pop quizzes will be very easy, and the marking will be generous.

Policy for missed work: If you miss a regular quiz or pop quiz, the mark is zero. However, your lowest quiz mark of each type will be dropped. If you miss a regular quiz with a valid excuse, your mark on the final exam (out of 10) will be substituted for the missing mark, and the lowest remaining mark will still be dropped. A similar rule applies to the pop quizzes. If you believe you have a valid excuse for missing term work, please see Jerry (not the TA) in person during office hours or before or after class.

According to university policy, your absence must be declared on ROSI on the day of the absence if your excuse is to be considered. So a suggestion is that if you miss any lecture for a valid reason, you should declare it on ROSI. That way you will be eligible for that mark to go on the final rather than being a zero -- assuming your excuse is valid.

But what is a valid excuse? Here are some guidelines. If you miss a quiz for medical reasons, you must submit a University of Toronto Medical Certificate (not just a note), available at

http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/registrar/sites/files/registrar/public/shared/pdfs/forms/medcert_web.pdf.

The certificate must include the statement that you were unable to write the test or quiz for medical reasons. If the certificate does not clearly state that you were unable to function, the excuse will not be accepted. Documentation must show that the physician was consulted on the day of the quiz, or on the next day. A statement merely confirming a report of illness made by the student is not acceptable.

On the other extreme, automotive breakdown or other transportation problems are never valid excuses. If you miss term work because you are taking another class at the same time as this one, that is not a valid excuse. The printer jammed, my dog ate it, etc. fall into the same category. If the University is officially open, weather is a valid excuse only if more than 50% of the class miss the quiz.

Plagiarism: It is academic dishonesty to present someone else's work as your own, or to allow your work to be copied for this purpose. To repeat: the person who allows her/his work to be copied is equally guilty, and subject to disciplinary action by the university.

Here are some guidelines that apply to the computer assignments. If there is a problem with plagiarism, it will probably happen here, since computer assignments may be handed in.

• In this course, it is always okay to use computer code that is presented in lecture or the textbook. Use it any way you like; you are responsible for the results.
• The biggest danger is copying from other students in the class. It is fine to discuss the assignments and to learn from each other, but don't copy. Never look at anyone else's printouts or show anyone yours before the quiz or exam when they might be handed in. Above all, do not allow anyone to see your program file before a computer assignment is due, and do not look at anyone else's. Never photograph someone's homework or allow yours to be photographed.
• It is acceptable to get help with your assignments from someone outside the class, but the help must be limited to general discussion and examples that are not the same as the assignment. As soon as you get an outside person to actually start working on one of your assignments, you have committed an academic offense.
• For some quizzes, you will be asked to bring your printouts to class; maybe you will hand them in, and maybe you will use them to answer some questions. Never, ever, bring a copy of somebody else's printout, or allow anyone to have a copy of yours.
• Don't copy, and don't let anyone copy from you. If we catch you, you will get in big trouble. Over and above trouble from the university, you do not want to receive a visit from my Associates. They know where you live.
• If this is not clear enough, the latest version of the student handout "How not to Plagiarize" is available at http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/using-sources/how-not-to-plagiarize The Academic Regulations of the University are outlined in the Code of Behaviour on Academic matters, which can be found in the Academic Calendar at http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/policies/behaveac.htm.

Accessibility Needs: We are committed to accessibility. If you require accommodations for a disability, or have any accessibility concerns about the course, the classroom or course materials, please contact Jerry or Accessibility Services (visit http://www.erin.utoronto.ca/~w3access or email accessconfirm.utm@utoronto.ca) as soon as possible.