There are three major topics in statistical theory. The first is estimation. Many statisticians spend their time devising functions to estimate population parameters of interest. Back in STAT 200, you would have used three well known estimators: sample mean, sample proportion, and sample variance. These three estimators were used to estimate the population mean, the population proportion, and the population variance.

But, why did we use those estimators? Are there better ones available? What do we mean by “better” in terms of estimators? This module will focus on these topics.

Objectives

By the end of this module, the student will

• create estimators for given parameters, or functions of parameters
• evaluate the estimators in terms of bias, variance, and mean square error

Readings

All readings are from our official textbook.

• Sections 5.1 to 5.3
• Guided Thought Questions

Example Scripts

The following R script provide some additional practice in statistical computing. Consider these to be required activities.

• Evaluating Estimators

Statistical Computing Activity

• SCA 1: Estimators

Assignment

• Assignment 1