Online Class: Statistics 101

no certificate
with CEU Certificate*
-
15Lessons
-
26Exams &
Assignments -
3,272Students
have taken this course -
35Hours
average time -
3.5CEUs
Course Description
This statistics course introduces the basic concepts of statistical analysis, with a focus on both univariate (single-variable) and bivariate (two-variable) data. The course starts with an introduction to statistics terms and then moves on to organization and display of data. Analysis of univariate data by way of measures of central tendency (such as the mean or average), dispersion (such as the variance), and asymmetry ("skewness") is presented next, followed by an introduction to probability theory.
The relationship of probability to statistics is also discussed, providing students with the tools they need to understand how "chance" plays a role in statistical analysis. Statistical distributions, with a focus on the normal distribution and its uses, are also considered, along with a discussion of bivariate data and linear (least-squares) regression. Finally, the course culminates with a low-level introduction to hypothesis testing. Although this last topic could be a course of its own, the student is provided with enough theory and sufficient practice to conduct analyses of simple statistical hypotheses.
Statistics is a subject that has earned a certain amount of notoriety because of its misuse in various contexts. Nevertheless, statistics is a tool that, if used properly, can be of tremendous help in math, science, engineering, history, politics, and numerous other fields. As you study this subject, always keep in mind that statistics is more than just math: it is not simply manipulation of numbers through addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and other mathematical operations. Statistics also involves language and units: when a statistician (or layman) provides a statistic, it involves a number and a label of some sort. For instance, the number 5.3 is not in and of itself a statistical value; "an average age of 5.3 years," however, is a statistical value. This linguistic aspect of statistics sometimes allows a certain amount of ambiguity that can be misleading. By studying statistics, you will equip yourself to identify and understand both uses and abuses of this tool.
What is Statistics?
Statistics is used for quantifying sets of data such as attributes of a group of people and measurements taken in a laboratory. Consider, for instance, the population of a particular country. The people who reside in that country have varying heights: some are short, some are tall, some are in between. If we wanted to compare the height of this population with that of some other population in a convenient manner, we would not want to compare individual people. Such a task would be burdensome (the number of people in a country might be in the millions or billions) and would not necessarily be particularly helpful as a means of comparing populations as a whole. Instead, we can use an average or median height as the basis for our comparison. These statistical values are single numbers that quantify the data (the heights of a country's population) and that provide a convenient way to express and compare certain characteristics of those data. Part of the goal of this course is to teach you how to select and use statistical tools like averages and medians, as well as a host of others, in assessing and comparing data.
Simply defined, statistics (sometimes colloquially termed "stats") is the study of collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and representing of sets of numerical data. Thus, virtually any field of study that uses numbers can, at least occasionally, involve statistics. Statistics, because it makes extensive use of numbers, is math-intensive, and a decent grasp of basic arithmetic and algebra is required to study this field.
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs

Course Lessons
Lesson 1 - Statistics Terms and Motivation
Lesson 1 Video A
Lesson 1 Video B : How to Take an Exam
Take Survey: Reasons for Taking this Course
Complete Assignment: Introduction
Complete Exam: Lesson 1 Statistics Terms and Motivation
Lesson 2 - Displaying Statistical Data
Lesson 2 Video
Review Article: Concept of Graphical representation of Data
Complete Exam: Lesson 2 Displaying Statistical Data
Lesson 3 - Measures of Central Tendency
Lesson 3 Video
Review 2 Articles: Measures of Central Tendency; Mean and Medain
Complete: Lesson 3 Exercises
Complete Exam: Lesson 3 Measures of Central Tendency
Lesson 4 - Selecting an Appropriate Measure of Central Tendency
Lesson 4 Video
Complete Exam: Lesson 4 Selecting an Appropriate Measure of Central Tendency
Lesson 5 - Measures of Dispersion
Lesson 5 Video
Review Article: Standard Deviation and Variance
Complete: Lesson 5 Exercises
Complete Exam: Lesson 5 Measures of Dispersion
Lesson 6 - Measures of Asymmetry
Lesson 6 Video
Review Article: What is a moment
Complete Exam: Lesson 6 Measures of Asymmetry
Lesson 7 - Other Statistical Measures
Lesson 7 Video
Complete: Lesson 7 Exercises
Complete Exam: Lesson 7 Other Statistical Measures
Lesson 8 - Introduction to Probability I
Lesson 8 Video
Complete: Lesson 8 Exercises
Complete Exam: Lesson 8 Introduction to Probability I
Lesson 9 - Introduction to Probability II
Lesson 9 Video
Complete: Lesson 9 Exercises
Complete Exam: Lesson 9 Introduction to Probability II
Lesson 10 - Statistical Distributions
Lesson 10 Video
Complete: Lesson 10 Exercises
Complete Exam: Lesson 10 Statistical Distributions
Lesson 11 - The Normal Distribution
Lesson 11 Video
Complete: Lesson 11 Exercises
Complete Exam: Lesson 11 The Normal Distribution
Lesson 12 - Bivariate Data
Lesson 12 Video
Complete Exam: Lesson 12 Bivariate Data
Lesson 13 - Regression Analysis
Lesson 13 Video
Complete Exam: Lesson 13 Regression Analysis
Lesson 14 - Introduction to Hypothesis Testing I
Lesson 14 Video
Complete: Lesson 14 Exercises
Complete Exam: Lesson 14 Introduction to Hypothesis Testing I
Lesson 15 - Introduction to Hypothesis Testing II
Lesson 15 Video
Take Poll: How would you rate this course?
Take Survey: Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course)
Complete: Lesson 15 Exercises
Complete Exam: Lesson 15 Introduction to Hypothesis Testing II
Complete: The Final Exam
Learning Outcomes
- Define statistics terms.
- Display statistical data.
- Define measures of central tendency.
- Select an appropriate measure of central tendency.
- Define measures of dispersion.
- Describe measures of asymmetry.
- Describe Probability I problems
- Describe and solve Probability II problems.
- Summarize statistical distributions.
- Describe the normal distribution.
- Describe bivariate data.
- Perform regression analysis.
- Describe Hypothesis Testing I and II, and
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Additional Course Information

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Student Testimonials
- "I found that the course resources helpful. I needed it especially for the lesson on normal distriuubtion. I needed to refer to it for the z-scores....Great instructor. Very helpful and responsive." -- Tiffany L.
- "The instructor is an excellent instructor. He simplified a lot of complicated formulas which involve calculus. He also has good examples that make the concepts easier to understand. In addition, he gives challenging assignments and exams. He fully explains all the questions I have missed during exams and assignments." -- Cristeta K.
- "Exellent instructor." -- Angel E.
- "Regression Analysis was most helpful to me....Thanks instructor!" -- Mike A.
- "I knew nothing about Statistics and now I know that I don't want to know more. I enjoyed the class and thought the instructor was very good." -- Donna N.
- "The instructor is wonderful. I would have him as an instructor again." -- Cynthia M.
- "The Instructor was very pleasant, offering words of encouragement when I did poorly on the second exam. He was fairly prompt with grading assignments and answering emails. I would recommend him for this class in the future." -- Jessica S.
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