- An undergraduate course
in
Mathematics and Statistics.
Analysing data
- On this page
| Course facts | |
|---|---|
| About this course: | |
| Course code | M248 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 9 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: | |
| 4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| 2 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs) | |
| Examination | |
| No residential school | |
This course is an ideal introduction to statistics if you want to understand, and 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. To study this course you should have a sound knowledge of relevant mathematics as provided by the appropriate Level 1 study.
Modules at Level 2 assume that you are suitably prepared for study at this level. If you want to take a single module to satisfy your career development needs or pursue particular interests, you don’t need to start at Level 1 but you do need to have adequately prepared yourself for OU study in some other way. Check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service to make sure that you are sufficiently prepared.
Register for the course
What you will study
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 study 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.
You will learn
Successful study of this course should improve your skills in analysing/interpreting data.
Entry
This is a Level 2 course and you’ll need to have mathematical competence at the level developed by Using mathematics (MST121) or alternatively from February 2014 Essential mathematics 1 (MST124). You are more likely to successfully complete this Level 2 course if you have acquired your prerequisite knowledge through passing one of these Level 1 courses.
For M248, you need to have confidence and fluency with algebraic manipulation. Some familiarity with the notions of a mathematical functions (including the logarithmic and the exponential) 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.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.
If you have a disability
The study 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. 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 have particular study requirements please tell us as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Visit our Services for disabled students website for more information, including:
- help to determine your study requirements and how to request the support that you need
- Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)
- using a computer for OU study
- equipment and other support services that we offer
- examination arrangements
- how to contact us for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
Course books, television programmes on DVD, CD-ROM, website.
Computing requirements
You will need a computer with internet access to study this course. It includes online activities – you can access using a web browser – and some course software provided on disk.
- If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer running Windows since 2007 you should have no problems completing the computer-based activities.
- A netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device is not suitable for this course – check our Technical requirements section.
- If you have an Apple Mac or Linux computer – please note that you can only use it for this course by running Windows on it using Boot Camp or a similar dual-boot system.
You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study 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.
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.
However you will be required to submit the interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs) online.
Professional recognition
This course may help you to gain recognition from a professional body. You can download our Recognition leaflet 3.3 Professional Engineering Institutions, for more information.
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in October 2013. We expect it to be available once a year.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button.
Student Reviews
“For me M248 was an interesting course and the workload was less intense than for MS221. There were plenty of ...”
Read more
“Thoroughly enjoyable course. ...”
Read more
Distance learning
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor or study adviser will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.
For more information read Distance learning explained.
Undergraduate
| Course facts | |
|---|---|
| About this course: | |
| Course code | M248 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 9 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: | |
| 4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| 2 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs) | |
| Examination | |
| No residential school | |
Course satisfaction survey
See the satisfaction survey results for this course.
Your questions
Try our frequently asked questions.
Come and meet us at an event near you.
Or contact an adviser by Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90 +44(0) 845 366 60 35
Get a prospectus
Download ororder
Share
This PageThe University wishes to emphasise that, while every effort is made to regularly update this site, the material on it is subject to alteration or amendment in the light of changes in regulations or in policy or of financial or other necessity.