ETX6500 Statistical inference
Faculty of Business and Economics
ETX6500 Statistical inference is a level 6, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Business and Economics, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Caulfield. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Caulfield
- Assessment
- Exam 60%
- and 1 other task
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before ETX6500
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After ETX6500
No unit lists ETX6500 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
You must be enrolled in course 0029 or 3194 or be granted permission by the Honours or Masters Coordinator in the Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics to undertake this unit.
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
This unit provides an introduction to probability theory and statistical inference for graduate studies in econometrics and business statistics and related fields. It is intended to prepare research students for a range of other units in econometrics and business statistics. The first part will cover basic probability theory and the second half will be concerned with aspects of statistical inference. Some prior exposure to the topics to at least the advanced undergraduate level will be assumed. This unit is designed for PhD students who intend to write a thesis in econometrics or business statistics. It is not intended for PhD students in other disciplines who need to learn some basic quantitative techniques for the empirical section of their dissertations, although students from other departments who are interested in more advanced methods may wish to take this unit.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Caulfield | On campus |
Assessment
- Project40%
- Examination60%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
understand the essentials of probability theory and statistical inference to be able to read graduate level books and journal articles in econometrics and business statistics
- 2
provide justification to econometric and statistical ideas and to derive results from first principles, including basic definitions, concepts and the chain of arguments on which the econometric and statistical theory is built.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops36 hours
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachResearch activities
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. You are expected to complete all pre-class activities prior to your scheduled class, and post-class activities should be completed after your scheduled class. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed, peer directed and online engagement activities.
This unit includes problem-based learning approaches, where you engage in research, integrate theory and practice and apply knowledge and skills to develop viable solutions in response to a problem or set of problems.
This unit engages you in actively applying your knowledge, skills and attributes in interactive, collaborative and reflective activities.
This unit allows you to develop your research skills by engaging in structured inquiry using a systematic approach and discipline-specific methodologies.
Learning resources
Technology resources
There may be an additional cost associated with purchasing a physical and/or virtual calculator. Specific details will be provided in the Learning Management System by commencement of Orientation week.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr David Frazier
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ETX6500?
ETX6500 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is ETX6500 offered?
In 2026, ETX6500 runs in Semester 1 at Caulfield.
How much work is ETX6500?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ETX6500 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 60% of the final mark, alongside 1 other task.