Statistics: A Simple Introduction

Learn Statistics

• A refresher course for anyone needing to work with statistics
• Supplementary learning for students struggling with their statistics course
• A way to fast track learning the fundamentals, for anyone who has not studied statistics before

This is a self paced online course. It's as easy as it gets to learn the fundamentals.

Lesson Structure

There are 5 lessons in this course:

1. THE LANGUAGE OF STATISTICS
   • Example
   • Important Terms in Statistics
   • Data Collection Method
   • Statistical Method
   • Descriptive Statistics
   • Inferential Statistics
   • Data Point
   • Observation
   • Data Set
   • Research Population
   • Data Sample
   • Square Root
   • Exponents and Roots
   • Summation Sign
   • Array
   • Coefficient
   • Constant
   • Variable
   • Independent and Independent Variable
   • Univariate Data
   • Bivariate Data
   • Frequency Counts
   • Frequency Distribution
   • Grouped Frequency Table
   • Cumulative Frequency
   • Total Frequency
   • Bi-Variate Frequency
   • Class
   • Class Interval
   • Class Frequency
   • Data Types
   • Qualitative Data
   • Quantitative Data
   • Hypothesis
   • Responsible Use Of Statistics
   • The Use of Statistics in Everyday Life
   • More on Research Populations
   • The Use of Statistics By Governments and Organisations
   • Censuses
   • Educational Data
   • Developmental Data
   • Health Data
   • Economy
   • Marketing and Analytics
2. DATA COLLECTION
   • Tools for Data Collection
   • Collecting Data
   • Quantity
   • Timing
   • Time
   • Contamination/Bias
   • Language
   • Ethics
   • Cost
   • Source Reliability
   • Example
   • Sources of Data
   • Steps in Data Collection
3. MEASURING THE CENTRE
   • Mode, Mean, Median
   • Mean
   • Mode
   • Median
   • Range
   • Standard Deviation
   • Normal Distribution
   • Which Measure Of Central Tendency To Use?
   • Box and Whisker Plots
   • Degrees Of Freedom
   • Standard Deviation
4. DETERMINING LIKELIHOODS (INFERENTIAL STATISTICS)
   • Measuring Probability
   • Probability Parameters
   • Discrete Variables
   • Continuous Variables
   • P-Values
   • Statistical Significance
   • Null and Alternate Hypothesis
   • Errors in Hypothesis Testing
   • Alpha
   • Beta
   • The T-Test
   • Types of T-Tests
   • A Review of Box and Whisker Plots Related to T-Tests
   • Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
   • One-Way ANOVA
   • Parametric and Non-Parametric Tests
5. MEASURING CORRELATION
   • Correlation
   • Coefficient of Variation
   • Linear Regression
   • Simple Linear Regression Formula
   • Conclusion
   • Using Correlational Statistics
   • So why bother with correlations at all?
   • Final Assessment

Why Study Statistics?

Statistics scare some people; but in truth, avoiding statistics can be a far riskier proposition than embracing them.

Statistics is relevant to so many different jobs and industries. Statistics provide a way of making sense of the world - what has happened and what is more likely to happen. By gathering, analysing then considering statistical information, we can be better planners, organisers and managers. Business and career success can become less risky. Statistical information tells us what is likely and what is less likely, and that then allows us to change our actions to actions which have a better chance of more successful outcomes.

Often statistics scare the student because they try to learn too much too fast. Some people can do that, but many struggle. In a classroom, the rate of learning is set and if you have tried and struggled you may remain apprehensive.

What is Different About this Course?

• You are not in the classroom, so you can set your own pace studying online.
• Our staff have been very selective keeping the scope of this course to the simpler, basics
• We have tried to use easier language that is more understandable
• As the course title says this is a "Simple" introduction (still a very useful introduction though!)

Who is this Course For?

• Students studying statistics who need a little extra help
• Anyone who has attempted to learn statistics in the past and given up because they found it too difficult
• Anyone needing to know statistics now, who may be time poor. This is self paced and can allow you to gain a solid foundation as slow or fast as you need to work.
• Anyone who is rusty with their knowledge of statistics, needing to refresh - to use it in work in business, planning, management, research or anywhere else.
• Job seekers wanting to enhance their appeal to employers