STK9180 – Confidence Distributions
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
Confidence distributions are posterior distributions obtained without priors. In contrast to Bayesian posteriors they are unbiased distributions for parameters. Statistical inference with confidence distributions synthesises Bayesian and frequentist inference, which are in conflict.
This course gives a general introduction to the construction and uses of confidence distributions in different settings, from simple parametric models to more complicated situations. Confidence distributions are useful for applied inference and reporting. It provides a platform for effectively combining information across different information sources (meta-analysis). Statistical inference with confidence distributions, and also other non-Bayesian distributional inference, is in rapid development.
Learning outcome
The course gives the background and tools for constructing, interpreting and using confidence distributions in a wide spectrum of models and situations, including problems related to combining information across diverse data sources.
Admission to the course
PhD candidates from the University of Oslo should apply for classes and register for examinations through?Studentweb.
If a course has limited intake capacity, priority will be given to PhD candidates who follow an individual education plan where this particular course is included. Some national researchers’ schools may have specific rules for ranking applicants for courses with limited intake capacity.
PhD candidates who have been admitted to another higher education institution must?apply for a position as a visiting student?within a given deadline.
Recommended previous knowledge
- STK1100 – Probability and Statistical Modelling
- STK1110 – Statistical Methods and Data Analysis
- STK4100 – Introduction to Generalized Linear Models
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with STK4180 – Confidence distributions.
Teaching
2 + 1 hours of lectures/exercises per week throughout the semester.
The course may be taught in Norwegian if the lecturer and all students at the first lecture agree to it.
Upon the attendance of three or fewer students, the lecturer may, in conjunction with the Head of Teaching, change the course to self-study with supervision.
Examination
Project assignment which counts 50 % towards the final grade. Final written exam 4 hours which counts 50 % towards the final grade.
When writing a project assignment make sure to familiarize yourself with the rules for use of sources and citations. Breach of these rules may lead to suspicion of attempted cheating.
Each PhD candidate is expected to give an oral presentation on a topic of relevance chosen in cooperation with the lecturer. The presentation has to be approved by the lecturer before you can sit the final exam.
It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses: STK4180 – Confidence distributions
Examination support material
For project assignment: All support material is allowed.
For written examination: Each student may bring one hand-written sheet of A4-paper.
Language of examination
Courses taught in English will only offer the exam paper in English. You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
This course offers both postponed and resit of examination. Read more:
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.