Aims and Fit of Module

The aim of this module is to develop in students an understanding of fundamental statistical concepts such as probability, the normal distribution, sampling distributions, point estimation, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing. Students will also be introduced to regression analysis through simple linear regression.

Learning outcomes

A. show understanding of basic statistical concepts, such as mean, median, discrete and continuous random variables, and probability distributions.

B. summarise, describe and present raw data

C. demonstrate understanding of basic probability theory, such as probability rules, means and variance of random variables.

D. explain basic principles of sampling. 

E. apply statistical inference, such as confidence interval and tests of significance.

F. analyse the relationship between variables using simple regression and correlation techniques

Method of teaching and learning

This module will be delivered by a combination of lectures, tutorials and labs. Lectures will be designed to provide essential information and introduce students to the basic tools of analysis, including some basic practice in applying the techniques. Tutorials will be based around exercise sheets, the completion of which and their discussion in workshops will provide students with a learning opportunity designed to extend the material introduced in the lectures. Labs will be designed to introduce students to the usage of basic functions of statistical software.