Apply ethics to real-world statistics with COS 402/COS 602: Statistical Ethics and Institutions

This fall, a special topics course taught by Dr. Andreas Georgiou will give students the chance to gain an understanding of international statistical principles and ethics, and discover the standards that should influence policymaking, research, press, and other institutions.

Course description

Students will gain an understanding of international statistical principles and ethics as well as the standards that should guide the relationship of official statistical institutions and statisticians with policy making, research, press, and other institutions. They will develop capacity and acquire tools to assess the conditions for the production of official statistics of a country as well as identify areas for improvement. Students will also become acquainted with the ethical standards for interactions between statisticians/statistical practitioners and their employers/clients, between colleagues in the field of statistics, and between statisticians and their research subjects. Examples, case studies, readings from statistical practice, and discussion will provide a full appreciation of real-world applications.

The course is open to all majors and non-degree students, and will meet Mondays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:10 p.m. in David King Jr. Hall, Room 2054. Undergraduates should register for COS 402 (CRN 82017), and graduates for COS 602 (CRN 82022). For more information, contact Gregory Craft at gcraft@gmu.edu, or by phone at 703-993-4594.