Module 2: Introduction to Quantitative Data Analysis

The aim of this module is to give an overall view of some the principles of
effective data analysis. The focus is on how we summarise data to uncover
patterns and relationships between variables, and how these relationships can
begin to explain the values of the variables that we observe. Some key statistical
vocabulary is introduced and concepts are illustrated by example. You will learn
about the following:
• Ways of summarising the shape and pattern of the values of a single
variable, at different levels of measurement.
• Understanding the role of variability in comparative analysis and the study
of relationships.
• The elaboration of relationships, the importance of control variables, and
the concepts of confounding, suppression and interaction.
• The essential parts of a statistical model: pattern and residual variation.
• Key concepts in inference from samples.