This module introduces four major topics of modern applied statistics: medical statistics, time series, multivariate analysis, and Bayesian statistics. It’s ideal if you’ve studied statistics and wish to broaden your knowledge of the field. It emphasises underlying principles and practical applications rather than technical details and includes SPSS and WinBUGS software, which you’ll use to analyse data and develop your understanding of statistics.
What you will study
The module begins with an introductory unit in which the statistical prerequisites are reviewed and the statistical software package SPSS is introduced. Then, successive books, each with associated computer material, introduce the four topics of the module.
Book 1: Medical statistics
The first book describes how to identify factors associated with disease, and includes topics such as cohort and case-control studies, investigating sources of bias, randomised trials, and meta-analysis.
Book 2: Time series
The next book covers methods for analysing data collected over time and forecasting future values using exponential smoothing and ARIMA models.
Book 3: Multivariate analysis
The third book discusses statistical methods for presenting and analysing data on several variables, with sections on principal component analysis and discrimination.
Book 4: Bayesian statistics
Book 4 introduces the Bayesian approach to statistics, in which expert knowledge can be incorporated into statistical models. This approach has become very popular in recent years, in part owing to the availability of special statistical software such as WinBUGS, which is used in this module.
Review unit
The final unit takes a look back at the module as a whole.
The module is illustrated with practical examples and real data sets from a range of subject areas, including epidemiology, economics, education, genetics, and environmental science. Numerous activities and exercises, also based on real data, illustrate the methods and develop statistical modelling and critical assessment skills.
You can find the full content list on the Open mathematics and statistics website.
Entry requirements
There is no formal pre-requisite study, but you must have the required statistical skills.
You can check you’re ready for M249 and see the topics it covers here.
Preparatory work
You should aim to be confident and fluent with the concepts covered in the Are you ready? quiz, and follow the advice in the quiz.
The key topics to revise include:
algebraic manipulation
logarithmic and exponential functions
graphical and numerical data summaries
basic statistical distributions
confidence intervals and significance tests
correlations and contingency tables.
Analysing data (M248) is useful preparation, but can be studied alongside M249.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
guiding you to additional learning resources
facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated forums.
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Assessment
Course work includes:
4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
Examination
Your TMA scores don't contribute to your final grade; however, you must complete most of them.
We regularly review the assessments in our modules, so we may update the examination method used for this module to an in-person exam or an online invigilated exam. When we are making such a change, we will make it clear on this page. If we need to make a change after you have registered, we will notify you as soon as possible. If you have additional requirements, we will support you to complete your assessments.
What's included
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
a week-by-week study planner
course-specific module materials
audio and video content
assessment details and submission section
online tutorial access
access to student forums.
We also provide physical:
module books
module handbook.
You will need
a basic calculator.
Computing requirements
Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer with at least 8 GB of RAM and a quad-core processor (2.4 GHz minimum speed). It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
Operating systems – 64-bit version of Windows 11 only, as the provided SPSS software cannot be installed on machines running a 32-bit version of Windows. Any other operating systems, including Mac, are unsuitable.
Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended. Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.
Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
Software – Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying M249 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.
Future availability
Practical modern statistics (M249) starts once a year – in October.
It will next start in October 2026.
Our new module, Practical data analysis (M272), will replace this module from October 2027.