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Department of Statistics

STAT170: Introductory Statistics

Lecturer in charge


Availability

D1 - Day; Offered in the first half-year
D2 - Day; Offered in the second half-year
D3 - Day; Offered over the full year
E1 - Evening; Offered in the first half-year
E2 - Evening; Offered in the second half-year
E3 - Evening; Offered over the full year
Summer Session - Offered in January-February as part of Summer School program.
X1 - External study; Offered in the first half-year (On Campus session: 16 May 2009 (V))

Unit Outline

Websites

Handbook entry

Coursework unit website - Blackboard (Login required)

Online Quizzes

Numeracy Centre

Description

This unit provides a broad introduction to statistical concepts and data analysis techniques. The unit is basically concerned with the development of an understanding of statistical practice and is illustrated by a study of those techniques most commonly used in the sciences, social sciences and humanities.

Whilst this unit may be taken as a terminating unit in statistics, it provides only basic statistical knowledge. Students intending to complete a major in statistics, or those wishing to acquaint themselves with the practical application of statistical techniques, are advised to include the units STAT270 and STAT273 in their program.

Topics covered in STAT170 include data collection methods, data quality, data summarisation and statistical models like the normal distribution followed by sampling distributions and statistical inferences about means, proportions and quantiles. Also studied are methods of analysis relating to comparisons, counted data and relationships, including regression and correlation.

Use is made of statistical computer packages for handling and analysing data along with word processing for reporting the results. However, no prior computing knowledge is assumed.

The unit is offered in each semester both day and evening, externally in first semester as well as over the full year. It is recommended that students who are returning to study after a long break, or who are not confident with their numerical skills, consider enrolling in the full year unit.