Applied Statistics - collecting and summarizing data, 7.5 credits

Statistics is about collecting, summarizing and analyzing data for getting better understanding and insights about the world we are living in. Suppose that we want to study peoples’ attitudes toward organic groceries. Who should we ask? How could we choose a sample of individuals? Should we use interviews face-to-face, a questionnaire distributed online or maybe do observations on location in a store? Naturally, reliable and valid ways of sampling and phrasing questions are essential for the quality of the statistics produced. The next thrilling challenge, once the data is collected, is to summarize the data. Adequate choices of statistical figures, graphs and tables could confirm expected patterns, identify new exciting ones and generates new ideas that no one have thought about before. Finally, it is time to draw conclusions. Is attitude related to educational level? Is there a difference between city hipsters and people living in rural areas? Is statistics fun and interesting? YES!