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Accessibility statement
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.
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.
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.
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:
Analysing data (M248) is useful preparation, but can be studied alongside M249.
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 TMA scores don't contribute to your final grade; however, you must complete most of them.
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 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.
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.
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