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Accessibility statement
This module teaches you how to use basic statistical tools and quantitative methods useful in business, government, industry, medicine, the economy, and most academic subjects. Topics include summarising data, examining relationships, randomness and sampling distributions, probability, testing hypotheses, and estimation. Using data from various applications, you’ll learn practical statistical techniques and fundamental principles and analyse data using software and a calculator. The skills introduced are ideal if you plan to study mathematics further or encounter data in another subject or your daily life.
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 analyse it 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.
Throughout this module, you’ll be looking at statistical data and output, and at times you’ll discuss this with other students. This discussion will involve working in groups asynchronously via online forums.
The materials contain exercises to help you learn and monitor your progress. These exercises involve calculations you’ll do by hand, with a calculator, or using Minitab software, which we’ll supply and teach you to use. Please note that Minitab is only compatible with Windows; other operating systems are not supported. You’ll also develop skills in interpreting and communicating your results, which we’ll assess.
You can find the full content list on the Open mathematics and statistics website.
Are you ready for M140?
This quiz will help you decide whether you are ready to study Introducing statistics (M140).
You can also use this quiz to identify topics you need to brush up on or revise in preparation. View the M140 content list.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
Additionally, the module website includes:
We also provide physical:
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying M140 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Introducing statistics (M140) starts twice a year – in October and January/February.
It will next start in October 2026 and January 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in January 2032.
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