How to read and use statistics
Introduction to the module
The aim of this module is to give you the basic tools and skills that you need to understand statistics. You will learn about the basics of statistical research and key statistical concepts. The module provides a succinct description of what kind of information can be communicated by means of statistics and what kind of conclusions can be drawn from statistics about different phenomena. It also looks at the representation of statistical data and offers some useful clues about searching for statistical data.
The module is composed of four lessons.
The fundamentals of statistical thinking teaches you the basics that you need to know in order to be able to interpret statistics. The lesson covers the implementation of statistical research and the most common methods of describing statistical data.
The concepts of social statistics introduces some of the concepts that you are bound to come across in the media and the news on a daily basis, such as population, incomes, welfare and well-being, labour market, inflation and GDP. The lesson deals with these concepts from a statistical point of view.
Ways of displaying statistics will teach you what a statistical table is like and how statistical graphics are used. You will learn about the most important types of graphic data displays and see how they are compiled. The lesson also covers the quality criteria of statistics.
Searching for statistical information provides basic directions for anyone who needs to find reliable sources of statistical information. The lesson offers useful advice for searching both national and international statistical data.
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