Description

This unit provides a broad introduction to statistical concepts and data analysis techniques. The unit is basically concerned with the development of an understanding of statistical practice and is illustrated by a study of those techniques most commonly used in the sciences, social sciences and humanities.

Whilst this unit may be taken as a terminating unit in statistics, it provides only basic statistical knowledge. Students intending to complete a major in statistics, or those wishing to acquaint themselves with the practical application of statistical techniques, are advised to include the units STAT270 and STAT273 in their program.

Topics covered in STAT170 include data collection methods, data quality, data summarisation and statistical models like the normal distribution followed by sampling distributions and statistical inferences about means, proportions and quantiles. Also studied are methods of analysis relating to comparisons, counted data and relationships, including regression and correlation.

Use is made of statistical computer packages for handling and analysing data along with word processing for reporting the results. However, no prior computing knowledge is assumed.