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Introducing statistics

The Open University old

Summary

Price
Enquire to get more info on pricing
Study method
Distance learning
Duration
Self-paced
Qualification
No formal qualification
Additional info
  • Tutor is available to students

Overview

Today, more than ever, statistics is part of our lives. From this key introductory course you will learn how to use basic statistical tools and quantitative methods that are useful in business, government, industry, medicine, the economy, and most academic subjects. Topics covered include: summarising data; examining relationships; randomness and sampling distributions; probability; testing hypotheses; and estimation. Using data from a range of applications, you’ll learn practical statistical techniques and fundamental principles, as well as using software and a calculator to analyse data. 

Description

What you will study

This key introductory statistics course is designed for people who have not studied statistics before. It focuses on the application of statistics, adopting the attitude that statistics is about solving problems. The course is data driven. We collect relevant data and we analyse them to answer the problems. The methods that are covered are not specific to one field of application alone, but apply to all areas in which statistics is used.

The text contains many exercises that you should work through to help you learn and to monitor your own progress. Most exercises involve calculations that you will do by hand (or by calculator), but some you will do by computer, using the software package Minitab, which you will be taught to use and which is supplied with the course. You will be encouraged to develop skills in interpreting and communicating your results and this will be assessed in assignment questions.

Providing you have the appropriate background knowledge (see Entry) you should expect to study for about nine hours a week. Many of the topics covered in the course depend on your understanding of topics in earlier units. So, if you have not adequately understood earlier material, you may find later material difficult and time consuming.

You will learn

Successful study of this course should begin to develop your statistical skills and enable you to analyse common forms of data so as to address practical problems.

You will learn about:

  • key ideas in statistics
  • statistical vocabulary and notation introduced in the course
  • selection and use of statistical techniques for exploring data
  • interpretation of results in the context of real life questions
  • communication of results
  • use of statistical software
  • use of relevant ICT tools for learning

The course contains many data from real world situations based around three themes: economics, education and health.

Study materialsWhat's included

Books, DVD, the software package Minitab 16, and a dedicated website containing online activities and resources.

You will need

A scientific calculator – we recommend any one that has basic statistical functions, such as mean and standard deviation, and that you know how to use it before the course starts. You will need a few household items to carry out a small experiment for one of the units of study.

You will require access to the internet at least once a week to download resources and assignments, keep up to date with news and to access the interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs).

You will also need access to a computer to run the Minitab software at least once in most of the study units and to answer assignment questions. The course is designed so that use of Minitab can be deferred to the end of each unit.

We also recommend that you have a headset with a microphone and earphones so that you can participate fully in online tutorials.

Computing requirements

You will need a computer with internet access to study this course. It includes online activities – you can access using a web browser – and some course software provided on disk.

  • If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer running Windows since 2007 you should have no problems completing the computer-based activities.
  • A netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device is not suitable for this course – check ourTechnical requirements section.
  • If you have an Apple Mac or Linux computer – please note that you can only use it for this course by running Windows on it using Boot Camp or a similar dual-boot system.

You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.

Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor

You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and who you can ask for advice and guidance. If you are new to the OU, you will find that your tutor is particularly concerned to help with your study methods. We will also be able to offer local group tutorials or day schools that you are strongly encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. Tutors will also offer online group tutorials in addition to face-to-face tutorials.

Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.

Assessment

The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.

Please note that TMAs for all undergraduate mathematics and statistics courses must be submitted on paper as – due to technical reasons – we are currently unable to accept TMAs via our eTMA system.

Who is this course for?

The skills introduced will be ideal if you plan to study more mathematics courses or if you encounter data in another subject or your daily life.

Requirements

This is a key introductory Level 1 course. Level 1 courses provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning, to help you progress to courses at Level 2.

We recommend that you have previous experience in mathematics before studying Introducing statistics. In particular you should be confident with the following topics.

  • arithmetic of numbers, including negative numbers and fractions
  • powers of numbers including square roots
  • using your scientific calculator effectively for the above topics, and for working with brackets
  • using simple formulas

 

Questions and answers

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Legal information

This course is advertised on reed.co.uk by the Course Provider, whose terms and conditions apply. Purchases are made directly from the Course Provider, and as such, content and materials are supplied by the Course Provider directly. Reed is acting as agent and not reseller in relation to this course. Reed's only responsibility is to facilitate your payment for the course. It is your responsibility to review and agree to the Course Provider's terms and conditions and satisfy yourself as to the suitability of the course you intend to purchase. Reed will not have any responsibility for the content of the course and/or associated materials.

FAQs

Study method describes the format in which the course will be delivered. At Reed Courses, courses are delivered in a number of ways, including online courses, where the course content can be accessed online remotely, and classroom courses, where courses are delivered in person at a classroom venue.

CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. If you work in certain professions or for certain companies, your employer may require you to complete a number of CPD hours or points, per year. You can find a range of CPD courses on Reed Courses, many of which can be completed online.

A regulated qualification is delivered by a learning institution which is regulated by a government body. In England, the government body which regulates courses is Ofqual. Ofqual regulated qualifications sit on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), which can help students understand how different qualifications in different fields compare to each other. The framework also helps students to understand what qualifications they need to progress towards a higher learning goal, such as a university degree or equivalent higher education award.

An endorsed course is a skills based course which has been checked over and approved by an independent awarding body. Endorsed courses are not regulated so do not result in a qualification - however, the student can usually purchase a certificate showing the awarding body's logo if they wish. Certain awarding bodies - such as Quality Licence Scheme and TQUK - have developed endorsement schemes as a way to help students select the best skills based courses for them.
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