This module and the next are both concerned with statistics: collecting and describing data. When faced with a research question of interest, the first thing statisticians do is to design a study and collect data. But the manner and method of observing members of a population can affect the outcome of the analysis. Researchers need to be careful to follow prescribed methodologies. The language and terminology of statistics reflects the constant effort of researchers to apply precise mathematical methods to imprecise problems in the real world. This module builds up much of the language you’ll need to begin a study of data analysis; you’ll need to learn terms and processes first before you can apply computational statistical techniques. You’ll notice that percentages feature heavily throughout our discussion of statistics, so take some time in this review module to practice manipulating and converting between percents, fractions, and decimals.

If you already feel confident in the skills listed above, you can skip directly to the content for this module. Skip the Skills