England

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Accessibility statement
This module explores fundamental statistical techniques and ideas for analysing and interpreting data. It covers models for data, estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing and regression. It’s ideal if you want to develop the skills to make sense of data or a foundation to study further statistics. The module emphasises the practical side, although it includes some underlying theory. It uses a statistical software package (Minitab); you’ll receive detailed guidance for all activities.
This module builds on the statistics introduced at level 1 through the OU module Introducing statistics (M140). It will investigate a wider range of statistical techniques than those introduced at level 1 and provide a deeper understanding of the techniques introduced.
In this module, you will explore the fundamental statistical techniques that can be used to analyse data to answer real, practical questions such as ‘Does drug A work better than drug B?’ and ‘How often do major earthquakes occur?’
The starting point for answering such questions is to model the variation in data: some of the most commonly used models for variation are considered in the first part of the module, and some of their properties are investigated. The module then goes on to develop statistical techniques for using data and models of the variation to draw conclusions and answer questions of interest: the specific statistical techniques studied in the module include estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis tests and regression.
An essential skill for any statistician is the ability to communicate their statistical analysis clearly to others, both statisticians and non-statisticians. Statistical report writing is considered in one of the final units of the module.
In addition to the module texts, student learning is supported throughout by short video presentations, computer animations and online interactive practice quizzes.
You can find the full content list on the Open mathematics and statistics website.
There is no formal prerequisite study, but you must have the required mathematical and statistical skills.
You can check you’re ready for M248 and see the topics it covers here.
You should aim to be confident and fluent with the concepts covered in the Are you ready? quiz here, and follow the advice in the quiz.
The key topics to revise include:
Essential mathematics 1 (MST124) is ideal preparation, and Introducing statistics (M140) is also useful.
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:
Your module grade depends on the final TMA and the examination. The first five TMAs don't contribute to your final grade; however, you must complete most of them.
We’re using a new examination verification process for this module. We may ask you to attend a 15-minute post-exam video discussion, where you’ll present a photo ID and discuss your answers to a small number of questions with a tutor or member of the module team. The discussion isn’t graded; it’s only to verify that you completed the exam yourself.
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
We also provide physical:
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying M248 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.
Analysing data (M248) starts once a year – in October.
It will next start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2031.
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