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Introducing statistics

Today, more than ever, statistics is part of our lives. From this key introductory module you will learn how to use basic statistical tools and quantitative methods that are useful in business, government, industry, medicine, the economy, and most academic subjects. Topics covered include: summarising data; examining relationships; randomness and sampling distributions; probability; testing hypotheses; and estimation. Using data from a range of applications, you’ll learn practical statistical techniques and fundamental principles, as well as using software and a calculator to analyse data. The skills introduced will be ideal if you plan to study more mathematics modules or if you encounter data in another subject or your daily life.

Modules count towards OU qualifications

OU qualifications are modular in structure; the credits from this undergraduate-level module could count towards a certificate of higher education, diploma of higher education, foundation degree or honours degree.

Mathematics & Statistics qualifications

Module

Module code: M140
Credits: 30
Study level
Study method: Distance Learning
Module cost: See Module registration
Entry requirements: See Am I ready?

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Module details Am I ready? Module registration Study materials

What you will study

This key introductory statistics module is designed for people who have not studied statistics before. It focuses on the application of statistics, adopting the attitude that statistics is about solving problems. The module is data driven. We collect relevant data and we analyse them to answer the problems. The methods that are covered are not specific to one field of application alone, but apply to all areas in which statistics is used.

The text contains many exercises that you should work through to help you learn and to monitor your own progress. Most exercises involve calculations that you will do by hand (or by calculator), but some you will do by computer, using the software package Minitab, which you will be taught to use and which is supplied with the module. You will be encouraged to develop skills in interpreting and communicating your results and this will be assessed in assignment questions.

Providing you have the appropriate background knowledge (see Entry) you should expect to study for about nine hours a week. Many of the topics covered in the module depend on your understanding of topics in earlier units. So, if you have not adequately understood earlier material, you may find later material difficult and time consuming.

You will learn

Successful study of this module should begin to develop your statistical skills and enable you to analyse common forms of data so as to address practical problems.

You will learn about:

key ideas in statistics
statistical vocabulary and notation introduced in the module
selection and use of statistical techniques for exploring data
interpretation of results in the context of real life questions
communication of results
use of statistical software
use of relevant ICT tools for learning.

The module contains many data from real world situations based around three themes: economics, education and health.

Professional recognition

This module may help you to gain membership of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA). For further information, see the IMA website.

This module may also help you to apply for the professional award of Graduate Statistician conferred by The Royal Statistical Society (RSS).

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 who you can ask for advice and guidance. If you are new to the OU, you will find that your tutor is particularly concerned to help with your study methods. We will also be able to offer local group tutorials or day schools that you are strongly encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the module. Tutors will also offer online group tutorials in addition to face-to-face tutorials.

Assessment

The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box above.

You can choose whether to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) on paper or online through the eTMA system. You may want to use the eTMA system for some of your assignments but submit on paper for others. This is entirely your choice. You must submit parts of the end-of-module assessment (EMA) online.

Future availability

The details given here are for the module that starts in October 2017. It starts twice a year – in October and February.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our Essential Documents website.

Course work includes:; 4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
: 3 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs)
: End-of-module assessment
: No residential school

Course satisfaction survey

See the satisfaction survey results for this course.

Entry

You need no pre-requisites to study Introducing statistics. However, we recommend that you’re confident with the following mathematical topics:

arithmetic of numbers, including negative numbers and fractions
powers of numbers, including square roots
using a scientific calculator for the above topics, and for working with brackets
using simple formulas
drawing and interpreting simple charts and graphs

Talk to an advisor if you’re not sure if you’re ready.

Preparatory work

We provide free learning resources on our Maths Help website; you can learn new skills or refresh your existing knowledge. We recommend working through modules 1–6 and module 8.

Register

Start	End	England fee	Register
07 Oct 2017	Jun 2018	£1432.00	Registration closes 14/09/17 (places subject to availability) Register
03 Feb 2018	Sep 2018	£1432.00	Registration closes 11/01/18 (places subject to availability) Register
This module is expected to start for the last time in February 2021.

Additional Costs

Study costs

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as a laptop, travel to tutorials, set books and internet access.

If you're on a low income you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.

Ways to pay for this module

Open University Student Budget Account

The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.

You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:

Register now, pay later – OUSBA pays your module fee direct to the OU. You then repay OUSBA interest-free and in full just before your module starts. 0% APR representative. This option could give you the extra time you may need to secure the funding to repay OUSBA.
Pay by instalments – OUSBA calculates your monthly fee and number of instalments based on the cost of the module you are studying. APR 5.1% representative.

Employer sponsorship

Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.

More than one in ten OU students are sponsored by their employer, and over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.

Your employer just needs to complete a simple form to confirm how much they will be paying and we will invoice them.
You won’t need to get your employer to complete the form until after you’ve chosen your module.

Credit/debit card

You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.

We accept American Express, Maestro (UK only), Mastercard, Visa/Delta and Visa Electron.

Mixed payments

We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).

For more information about combining payment options, speak to an adviser or book a call back at a time convenient to you.

Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and therefore the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fees and funding information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2018. Fees normally increase annually in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees.

This information was provided on 22/08/2017.

What's included

Books, DVD, the software package Minitab 17, and a dedicated website containing online activities and resources.

You will need

A scientific calculator – we recommend any one that has basic statistical functions, such as mean and standard deviation, and that you know how to use it before the module starts. You will need a few household items to carry out a small experiment for one of the units of study.

You will require access to the internet at least once a week to download resources and assignments, keep up to date with news and to access the interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs).

You will also need access to a computer to run the Minitab software at least once in most of the study units and to answer assignment questions. The module is designed so that use of Minitab can be deferred to the end of each unit.

We also recommend that you have a headset with a microphone and earphones so that you can participate fully in online tutorials.

Computing requirements

You will need a device with internet access to study this module as a web browser is used to access learning materials and activities. Any other computer-based activities you will need to carry out, such as word processing, using spreadsheets, taking part in online forums, and submitting files to the university for assessment, are specified in the module materials. If any additional software is needed for these tasks it will either be provided or is freely available. This module requires the installation of software from a hardware device e.g. DVD drive or USB stick. You may need administrative privileges to install software required for this module. Windows 10 S is not suitable as it restricts software installation to software available in the Windows Application Store.

A Windows desktop or laptop running Windows 7 or later operating system is suitable for this module. This module requires installation of Microsoft Windows specific software.

Some software will not run on Mac OS X, Linux, iOS or Android devices.

A netbook, tablet, phone, Mac or Linux computer that supports one of the browsers below may be suitable for some activities. However, these devices may not be suitable for one or more activities within this module. If you intend to use one of these devices please ensure you have access to another suitable desktop or laptop device that uses the Windows operating system so that you can carry out all activities on your mobile device. You will need a broadband internet connection to complete this module. Better video performance is available with higher connection speeds.

Recent versions of the following browsers for carrying out web-based activities:

Safari
Chrome
Firefox
Edge

Or Internet Explorer 9 and above.
Using a browser upgraded to the latest version will maximise security when accessing the internet.

Using company or library computers may prevent you accessing some internet materials or installing additional software.

To be able to talk and listen in our online discussions you will need both a microphone and speakers/headphones.

Devices with small screens may make it difficult to view the material provided and carry out the activities. However, a device that has a resolution of at least 1024 pixels horizontally and also at least 768 pixels vertically should be adequate.

See our Skills for OU study website for further information about computing skills for study and educational deals for buying Microsoft Office software.

If you have a disability

Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical material may be particularly difficult to read in this way. The module also makes frequent use of graphs and charts, which may cause difficulty if you have a visual impairment. You may also need assistance from a sighted helper for working with the software package Minitab, as this software is inaccessible to screen reader users. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future.

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. Find out more about our services for disabled students.

Introducing statistics

Modules count towards OU qualifications

Module

Student Reviews

What you will study

You will learn

Professional recognition

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

Assessment

Future availability

Regulations

Course work includes:

Course satisfaction survey

Entry

Preparatory work

Register

Additional Costs

Study costs

Ways to pay for this module

Open University Student Budget Account

Employer sponsorship

Credit/debit card

Mixed payments

What's included

You will need

Computing requirements

If you have a disability

The Open University

OU Community

OU Students Community

Support

Study

Policy

OU	SCQF	FHEQ
1	7	4

What you will study

You will learn

Professional recognition

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

Assessment

Future availability

Regulations

Course work includes:

Course satisfaction survey

Entry

Preparatory work

Register

Additional Costs

Study costs

Ways to pay for this module

Open University Student Budget Account

Employer sponsorship

Credit/debit card

Mixed payments

What's included

You will need

Computing requirements

If you have a disability

Where do you live?