Analysing data
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| 4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | 2 Computer-marked assignments (CMAs) |
| Examination | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
This course is an ideal introduction to statistics if you want to understand, and perhaps make use of, basic statistical concepts. The emphasis is on the practical side, although underlying theory is also included. MINITAB and other software supplied with the course is used to analyse data and develop your understanding of statistical concepts – use of a computer is therefore essential, and you’ll receive detailed guidance for all the computer activities. The course covers exploratory methods for data analysis, models for data, estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, regression and two-variable problems. You’ll need to have mathematical competence at the level developed by Using mathematics (MST121)
Course content
The course begins with a brief discussion of numerical and graphical summaries of data. Fundamental statistical models for variation (such as the binomial distribution and the normal distribution) are covered, and the problem of assessing the quality of the models in a given data context is discussed. There are units on estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, regression and two-variable problems. The last unit reviews the whole course. An exercise booklet contains extra problems and exercises based on the course material, which you might like to use during the year and as part of a revision programme.
The course is based on data and prompted by problems. A typical approach might be to present a question such as ‘Is this drug better than that one?’ or ‘What is the relationship between this stimulus and that response?’ Then data are collected in order to answer the question, and the appropriate statistical methods are developed and discussed.
Entry
This is a Level 2 course and you need a good knowledge of the subject area, obtained either from Level 1 study with the OU or from equivalent work at another university. If you have completed Using mathematics (MST121) your mathematical knowledge will be ample. Students are more likely to complete this course successfully if they have acquired their prerequisite knowledge through passing one of these courses.
For M248, you need to have confidence and fluency with algebraic manipulation. Some familiarity with the notions of a mathematical function and of differentiation and integration would be helpful, though it is not essential. You are expected to be familiar with mathematical notation, to be able to follow some algebraic arguments and to use formulas. You are assumed to have had some experience of basic use of a computer.
You can find out more information about studying statistics, including diagnostic quizzes that assess your readiness, on the Stats choices website. There is also a short quiz that will help you to determine whether you are adequately prepared for this course, and this can be found on the same website.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
M248 is a compulsory course in our
- Diploma in Statistics (D44)
- BA (Honours) Business Studies (B04) (with Accounting)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Mathematics and Statistics (B36)
- BSc (Honours) Mathematics and its Learning (B46)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Computing and Statistics (B34)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Economics and Mathematical Sciences (B15)
M248 is an optional course in our
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is equally appropriate to a BA or BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a course towards a qualification if you have already taken another course with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this course, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The course materials are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Large print versions of the course material can be provided on request. You will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course books, television programmes on DVD, CD-ROM, course website.
You will need
Programmes formerly made for television are no longer broadcast but are provided on DVD so you will need a player or DVD drive on your computer if you wish to view the programmes. You will need a calculator with basic statistical functions (sample summaries and linear regression).
You require access to the internet at least once a week during the course to download course resources and assignments, submit assignments and to keep up to date with course news.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you can use an Apple Mac or Linux computer if you can run Windows using Boot Camp or similar.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
Assessment is an essential part of the teaching, so you are expected to complete it all. But if you unavoidably miss or do badly in an assignment, some courses allow you a ‘substitution score’. In M248 this rule can apply to one TMA or one CMA only. You will be given more detailed information when you begin the course.
Please note that TMAs for all undergraduate mathematics and statistics courses must be submitted on paper as – due to technical reasons – we are unable to accept TMAs via our eTMA system.
Professional recognition
This course may help you to gain recognition from a professional body. You can download our Recognition leaflets 3.3 Professional Engineering Institutions, Recognition leaflet 3.7 Computing, and Recognition leaflet 3.11 Other Professional Bodies or ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for a copy.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2010. We expect it to be available at the same time once a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Business and Management and Mathematics and Statistics.
Study explained
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Student Reviews
I thoroughly enjoyed this course and it gave me a good introduction to different statistical methods. I didn't feel tutorials ...
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I loved this course. As a biologist it made me realise how little I know about statistics and how much ...
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