Week 8: Statistics and sampling

Introduction

Week 8 continues your study of statistics, specifically data from population samples rather than repeated measurements. This type of data is very common in biology, and geography where data from large populations are analysed. In some cases, for sample data, the mean is not the most appropriate average, so you will learn about alternatives. However, the mean will still be important when you are calculating the sample standard deviation. Before exploring averages though, you’ll consider in more detail ways that data can be distributed.

By the end of this week you will have:

• gained an understanding of the different types of data distribution
• learned how to calculate the mode and median of a data set
• considered which average, the mean, mode or median, is most appropriate for a data set
• gained an understanding of, and calculated, the sample standard deviation.