Introduction to Statistics
| Module title | Introduction to Statistics |
|---|---|
| Module code | INT1003 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Michael Samuel Hughes (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 305 |
|---|
Module description
Statistics inform decision-makers in all areas of society, such as government policymakers, investment planners, business managers, education providers, and healthcare managers. In this module, you will learn how to summarise and analyse data, test hypotheses, and find relationships between different features in a business context. You will learn how to use statistics to draw conclusions, make sensible decisions, and justify your decisions in your business presentations.
This module is equivalent to BEE1025 and the syllabus content practically matches that of BEE1022, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the subject. However, unlike BEE1022, statistics mode on Casio calculators is used rather than statistical software packages, and no prior knowledge of statistics is assumed for this module.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module is an introduction to the basic concepts of statistics and will give a strong foundation to the statistical content that will be continued in the second year of a business degree. It will provide students with an understanding of the statistical methodologies used in economics, in the business and management environments, and also other disciplines of study.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Compute and graph salient features of data manually
- 2. Carry out hypothesis testing in a variety of contexts
- 3. Calculate basic statistics and use them to describe and compare data
- 4. Apply parametric and non-parametric statistical tests
- 5. Interpret the results of statistical tests in a variety of situations
- 6. Fit, interpret and predict using bivariate regression models
- 7. Demonstrate a strong foundation in probability
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Apply fundamental statistical methods
- 9. Analyse data and draw conclusions
- 10. Calculate and interpret statistical parameters
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 11. Develop a toolkit for data analysis
- 12. Present information in different formats
Syllabus plan
- Introduction to Statistics, Data Types and scales of measurement.
- Descriptive Statistics: Frequency Tables, Frequency Distributions.
- Descriptive Statistics: Numerical Measures.
- Descriptive Statistics: Graphical Methods.
- Discrete and continuous random variables and probability distributions.
- Classical probability concepts
- Central Limit Theorem
- Estimation and Confidence Intervals
- One and two-sample Hypothesis Testing.
- Analysis of Variance.
- Correlation and Linear Regression
- Nonparametric Methods: Goodness-of-Fit and Tests of Independence
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 70 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities (Synchronous) | 40 | Seminar these will be teacher led. You should prepare for each seminar based on the teaching plan published on ELE. |
| Formative assessed activities (Asynchronous) | 20 | Working on solving problems, online activities. |
| Guided Independent Study | 50 | Reading and research, Practice of techniques, Web-based activities and online lectures. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 quizzes covering weekly topics and exam style questions | 1 hour each | 1-12 | Online |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 70 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written examination 1 | 10 | 1 hour | 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | Verbal in lectures |
| Written examination 2 | 60 | 2 hours | 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | Examiners Report |
| Coursework assessments -ELE Quizzes | 30 | 3 assessed ELE Quizzes | 1-12 | Online and verbal |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written examination 1 | Written examination 1 (deferral) | 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | Next assessment opportunity |
| Written examination 2 | Written examination 2 (deferral) | 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | Next assessment opportunity |
| Coursework assessments -ELE Quizzes | Coursework assessments -ELE Quizzes (deferral) | 1-12 | Next assessment opportunity |
| Written Examination (referral) | 2 hour written examination | 1-12 | Next assessment opportunity |
Re-assessment notes
RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES–
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for reasons judged legitimate by the Mitigation Committee, the applicable assessment will normally be deferred. See ‘Details of reassessment’ for the form that assessment usually takes. When deferral occurs, there is ordinarily no change to the overall weighting of that assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to take a re-sit exam. Only your performance in this exam will count towards your final module grade. A grade of 40% will be awarded if the examination is passed.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
Hughes M. (2019). An Introduction to Statistics. Pearson
Lind, D. A., Marchal, W. G. & Wathen, S. A. (2013). Basic Statistics for Business & Economics (8th Ed.). New York: McGraw Hill Irwin.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE – Course Lectures are available through the Exeter VLE in addition to online assessments and web based and electronic resources.
Other resources, through both self-research and those presented or referenced by the lecturer.
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Other resources, through both self research and those presented or referenced to by the lecturer
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 16/05/08 |
| Last revision date | 03/06/2025 |
