This module teaches you how to use basic statistical tools and quantitative methods useful in business, government, industry, medicine, the economy, and most academic subjects. Topics include summarising data, examining relationships, randomness and sampling distributions, probability, testing hypotheses, and estimation. Using data from various applications, you’ll learn practical statistical techniques and fundamental principles and analyse data using software and a calculator. The skills introduced are ideal if you plan to study mathematics further or encounter data in another subject or your daily life.
What you will study
This key introductory statistics module is designed for people who have not studied statistics before. It focuses on the application of statistics, adopting the attitude that statistics is about solving problems. The module is data driven. We collect relevant data and we analyse them to answer the problems. The methods that are covered are not specific to one field of application alone, but apply to all areas in which statistics is used.
The materials contain exercises to help you both learn and to monitor your progress. Most exercises involve calculations you’ll do by hand or with a calculator, but some you’ll do using the software Minitab, which we’ll supply and teach you to use. Please note that Minitab runs only on Windows; any other operating system is unsuitable. You’ll also develop skills in interpreting and communicating your results, and we’ll assess this
Providing you have the appropriate background knowledge (see Entry Requirements) you should expect to study for about nine hours a week. Many of the topics covered in the module depend on your understanding of topics in earlier units. So, if you have not adequately understood earlier material, you may find later material difficult and time consuming.
You can find the full content list on the Open mathematics and statistics website.
You will learn
Successful study of this module should begin to develop your statistical skills and enable you to analyse common forms of data so as to address practical problems.
You will learn about:
- key ideas in statistics
- statistical vocabulary and notation introduced in the module
- selection and use of statistical techniques for exploring data
- interpretation of results in the context of real life questions
- communication of results
- use of statistical software
- use of relevant ICT tools for learning.
The module contains many data from real world situations based around three themes: economics, education and health.
Entry
There is no formal pre-requisite study.
You can see the topics M140 covers here.
Talk to an advisor if you’re not sure you’re ready.
Study materials
What's included
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
- a week-by-week study planner
- course-specific module materials
- relevant computer software and associated guidance
- audio and video content
- assessment details, instructions and guidance
- online tutorial access
- access to student and tutor group forums.
You’ll also be provided with printed module books, a module guide and a handbook.
There may an option for registered students to access materials via an Early Start Programme. This programme is tutor supported and enables you to make a start up to three months before the main presentation start.
You will need
- A scientific calculator – we recommend one with basic statistical functions, such as mean and standard deviation, and that you know how to use it before the module starts.
- A few household items to carry out a small experiment.
- A computer running Windows; the Minitab software will not run on any other operating system.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
- marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
- providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
- guiding you to additional learning resources
- facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated module and tutor group forums.
Online tutorials run throughout the module. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate.
Assessment
The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box.
Future availability
Introducing statistics (M140) starts twice a year – in January/February and October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2025 and February 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in January 2028.