This course explores the fundamentals of statistical methods and reasoning. Topics include descriptive methods, data gathering, probability, interval estimation, significance tests, one- and two-sample problems, categorical data analysis, correlation and regression. The instructor will demonstrate how to use spreadsheets and statistical software to analyze and interpret data. Real-world examples are drawn from a variety of fields including biology, business and marketing. While not too mathematically rigorous for the novice, the course provides some mathematical detail to illustrate basic concepts. No prior background in calculus or statistics is required. 

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of the course, you should be able to

• Create and interpret basic graphs to display sample data, such as histograms and bar charts.
• Calculate key statistics (like averages, range, and spread) to summarize and understand data.
• Analyze and interpret data using percentiles to understand how individual data points compare to the overall data set.
• Solve problems involving common data patterns, including how to deal with data that follows a normal distribution.
• Explain how to test data for important patterns, including how to use methods like hypothesis testing and regression to make predictions and draw conclusions.
• Identify differences and relationships in data by using methods to compare groups and analyze data tables.

Topics Include

• Orientation
• Descriptive Statistics
• Probability
• Hypothesis Testing
• Estimation
• Inference about Two Populations
• Correlation
• The Chi Squared Distribution
• ANOVA

Additional Information

This course is not calculus based and only a beginning to intermediate algebra level of mathematical ability is required.