EMOS: Core module

TESTING AND COURSE AIMS
 

Testing will be done by means of assignments. 

• One or more individual assignments will be given.The EMOS core module consists of 7 short modules (Presentation and communication; System of Official Statistics; Data Sources and Integration; Methodology for data processing; Production of official Statistics; Innovation and current topics in official statistics; Innovations in Data collection). For these modules, a small assignment needs to be made, which will be graded with a mark between 1 and 10. The (weighted) average of these small assignments will be the final mark for the assignments. That final mark for the assignments will constitute 100% of the total grade.
a. Students develop knowledge in the state of the art of the various topics (Knowledge and Understanding).
b. They apply their knowledge to problems in the field (Applying).
c. They are able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the applied methods. (Judgment)
d. They are able to report on their work for specialist and non-specialist audiences in clear and well-written English. (Communication)
e. They are capable of autonomous scholarly self-development  (Learning skills)
f. They give proof of being a responsible and scholarly professional (Learning skills)
g. They are able to advise researchers in applying the current state of the art in survey methodology (Judgment)
 
 
After taking this course students understand the role of National Statistical Institutes. They have gained knowledge on methods applied at these institutes and are able to apply them in practical situations. They have gained experience in writing reports for both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

 

The EMOS course module takes place in the first and second semester of the second year. It runs along with Preparation for the Thesis (MSBBSS11), Research seminar (MSBBSS10) and Thesis (MSBBSS12). The course has seven parts. Together the parts comprise 15 EC.

In the EMOS core module, you will learn what official statistics are, and how to interpret them. You will learn about the legal and international context in that make statistics comparable across time and location. The course teaches you methodology on how survey, administrative, and other data sources such as sensor data are gathered and integrated. How the data is systematically processed in a reproducible way and how quality is measured. Finally, the course teaches how official statistics are disseminated and communicated to all users.
The module prepares you for a career in data production, the analysis of data and presentation of statistics. Although the course is focused on the production of Official Statistics, anyone interested in how data and statistics are being produced to help in policy-making should take this course.


1. Presentation and communication (Lecturer Edwin de Jonge, Statistics Netherlands). The aim is to understand methodological issues and to interpret correctly the outcomes in some important fields of official statistics and to give knowledge and tools for an effective way of presentation of data in tables, charts and advanced visual graphics.
2. System of Official Statistics (Lecturer Carina Fransen, Statistics Netherlands). The aim is to give insight into the aspects of the legal and international context of official statistics.
3. Data Sources and Integration (Lecturer: Jonas Klingwort, Yvonne Gootzen, Marco Puts, Marko Roos, Daan Zult, Sander Scholtus, Jan van der Laan, Arnout van Delden, Nino Mushukudiani, Statistics Netherlands). The aim is to give insight into the possibilities of data collection, integration, and estimation using combinations of survey data, administrative data, and big data.
4. Methodology for data processing (Lecturers Marc Smeets, Jacco Daalmans and Iris van Santen, Peter-Paul de Wolf and Marieke de Vries, Statistics Netherlands). The aims are to learn the methods of data cleaning and imputation in official statistics; learn about theoretical and practical aspects of time series and indices, including correcting for time series effects; to give insight into the relevance and techniques to prevent the disclosure and assess the risk of disclosure of sensitive information (statistical disclosure control).
5. Production of official Statistics (Lecturer Jan van der Laan, Statistics Netherlands). The aim is to apply the methods learned in modules 1, 3, and 4 to design and develop a coherent statistical production system in R.
6. Innovation and current topics in official statistics (Lecturers Barteld Braaksma, Reinoud Stoel, Statistics Netherlands). The aim is to explore a current topic that is changing official statistics, such as the Green Deal, the energy transition, advance of AI and others.
7. Innovations in data collection (Organized by Laura Boeschoten, Utrecht University). Students will get to know the professional field of survey methodology and its innovations and challenges. It brings together people working in science (university, scientific research institutes), government (national and local, Statistics Netherlands), and different other large and small organizations such as NGOs and market research agencies. The students get acquainted with different viewpoints on data collection, areas of innovation in practice, and challenges that people face when working for these different types of organizations. This knowledge will help students face multidimensional problems during their professional career.

MSBBSS students that enlisted for the EMOS track will be registered for this course in August by Mirjam Moerbeek (m.moerbeek@uu.nl, coordinator Electives & preparation for thesis). There are also options to follow this course as a non-EMOS student (e.g. Elective student, PhD student etc.). Please contact the teacher about these options on time, i.e. before July 15 (for courses in semester 1). You will need written approval from the teacher (an email is sufficient) in order to register for this course at the Faculty’s Student Desk. Note that for external parties, costs for participation may be involved.  

Suggested and obligatory reading material
Reading material will be announced and made available prior to the start of the EMOS modules.