Introduction to Statistics
| Module title | Introduction to Statistics |
|---|---|
| Module code | ESS1701 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Brad Metcalf (Lecturer) Dr Brad Metcalf (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 167 |
|---|
Module description
During your degree you will have opportunities to interpret interesting data and even form your own research ideas and collect data. This module aims to prepare you for this challenge, introducing the basic concepts of statistical analyses. You will learn to interpret data, and develop an understanding of statistical terminology, reliability and validity of data and experimental design. There are no pre- or co-requisites for this module, and it is suitable for non-specialist students who have studied some science at A-Level or equivalent.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to introduce the basic concepts of statistical analyses. Primarily, emphasis will be on quantitative analysis and the module will lead into Stage 2 Quantitative Research and progress your skills further for their use in the dissertation module at Stage 3. As there is a definitive strand of research throughout the degree programme it is important that you collect, use, and interpret data from published sources and/or your own data sets in a meaningful purpose. This module will introduce basic concepts that will allow you greater confidence when faced with quantitative data sets.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Develop an understanding of statistical terminology
- 2. Describe the reasons for choosing a statistical technique in order to examine relationships and differences between samples
- 3. Use SPSS to run basic statistical analyses
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Describe the role of statistics in research in exercise and sport science
- 5. Analyse exercise and sport related data appropriately
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Learn independently
- 7. Manage time effectively
- 8. Develop effective use of computer programs to solve problems and enhance research
Syllabus plan
- Introduction to statistics
- Experimental design and sampling
- Descriptive statistics
- Confidence intervals and hypothesis testing
- Correlation
- Regression
- t-tests (independent samples and paired)
- Statistical inference and effect sizes
- Reliability and validity
- Examples of statistics in sport and health research
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 106 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22 | Seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 33 | Reading |
| Guided Independent Study | 45.5 | Preparing for assessments |
| Guided Independent Study | 27.5 | Study tasks |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPSS assignment | 1.5 hours | 1-8 | Oral feedback within session |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 100 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination multiple choice, short answer questions and annotation of SPSS outputs | 100 | 1.5 hours | 1-2, 4-7 | Written group feedback |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | Examination | 1-2, 4-7 | August/September assessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the 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 sit a further examination. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Field, A. (3rd edition: 2009 or 4th edition: 2013). Discovering statistics using SPSS. S. Sage: London
- Salkind, N. J. (3rd edition: 2008, 4th edition: 2010 or 5th edition: 2014). Statistics for people who (think they) hate statistics. Sage: London
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
- You should also take the opportunity to read exercise and sport science journals e.g., Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise, Sports Psychology and Journal of Sports Science, noting in particular the types of statistics used and how to interpret statistical results.
| 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 | 01/11/2011 |
| Last revision date | 16/07/2020 |
