What is Statistics?
Statistics is used to research, model, understand, analyse and predict data for situations which involve uncertainty or variability.
What will I study?
Learners will work with real data sets. The subject is taught in a practical way, with multiple mini experiments, practical activities and opportunities to collect data and investigate problems and their solutions using different methods of sampling. The course builds on the topic of data handling, practical applications of correlation and regression, including their application in the world of business. Probability theory is expanded with the introduction of binomial and normal distribution. We also study a variety of different hypothesis tests.
The main topics in the specification are listed below:
- Numerical measures, graphs and diagrams
- Probability
- Sampling
- Discrete probability distributions – Binomial, Poisson
- Continuous probability distributions – Normal, Exponential
- Correlation and regression
- Hypothesis tests for association
- Experimental design
- One sample hypothesis tests median/mean
- Two sample hypothesis tests median/mean
- Confidence intervals
- Goodness of fit
- Analysis of variance
Assessments
There are three exams at A Level, each is two hours long.
Paper 1 – Data and Probability
Paper 2 – Statistical Inference
Paper 3 – Statistics in Practice
Trips, visits and enrichments:
- Use of Minitab software and data analysis Toolpak in Microsoft Excel
What can it lead to?
A number of degree courses contain a significant amount of Statistics. Past students have gone on to study a variety of degree courses including medicine, dentistry, geography, geology, biological sciences, sports science, nursing, economics, business studies, sociology and psychology.
Statistics is important to study for a variety of reasons, and its significance extends to numerous fields :
- Data Interpretation: Statistics provides tools and techniques for interpreting and making sense of data. In a data-driven world, the ability to extract meaningful information from data is invaluable.
- Scientific Research: In scientific research, statistics is used to design experiments, analyse results, and draw valid conclusions. It helps researchers test hypotheses and determine the significance of their findings.
- Data-Driven Technologies: Statistics is at the core of data science and machine learning, powering algorithms that drive recommendations, predictions, and automation in various applications.
- Business and Economics: Statistics is crucial for market research, financial analysis, and business planning. It assists in understanding customer behaviour, forecasting trends, and optimizing operations.
- Public Policy and Government: Governments use statistics to inform policy decisions, allocate resources, and monitor social and economic trends. It helps in addressing societal issues and improving public services.
- Healthcare and Medicine: Statistics plays a vital role in clinical trials, epidemiology, and healthcare management. It helps in assessing the effectiveness of treatments, tracking disease outbreaks, and improving patient care.
- Quality Control: In manufacturing and production, statistics is used for quality control to ensure products meet specified standards. It helps identify defects and improve processes.
- Environmental Science: Environmental scientists use statistics to analyse environmental data, assess the impact of human activities, and make recommendations for conservation and sustainability.
- Global Challenges: Statistics is instrumental in addressing global challenges like climate change, poverty, and public health by providing the quantitative tools needed for understanding and mitigating these issues.
