How can you tell if something is true? How do you determine whether the result of a scientific experiment is reliable or just a coincidence? How can you extract meaningful information from a pile of unorganized data?

This class covers a standard introductory statistics curriculum with a focus on the practical application of statistical tools, rather than just the theoretical foundations. We will begin with probability and basic measures like mean and median, then move on to discussions of correlation, distributions, building confidence intervals, and testing hypotheses. You’ll learn how to design experiments that produce valid data, analyze that data correctly, and interpret the results. We’ll also explore how to recognize when a published study may have methodological flaws.

This class builds on concepts of probability and the scientific method you may have already encountered, equipping you with the tools to analyze data and design experiments in real-world situations. It’s particularly valuable for students interested in fields like political science, sociology, activism, economics, business, marketing, and virtually all areas of science, where these tools are essential.