Using Statistics - 4 credits

In organizational settings, data becomes meaningful for decision making only when it is interpreted. Such things as determining averages, noting differences, describing relationships, and projecting trends are all part of a larger process of analyzing and interpreting data. In this course students learn how to use basic statistical techniques to describe and make inferences about data that has been collected for studies and reports. Topics include measures of central tendency (means, medians, modes, standard deviations); tests of difference; measures of strength of relationships among variables ( correlation and regression); classic procedures for representing the strength and probable accuracy of findings (significance tests and confidence intervals); and modeling trends over time. Students will also learn how computers are used to analyze data and how data can be represented in spreadsheets, graphs, figures, and illustrations.