AN INTRODUCTION TO DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS

INTRODUCTION

Descriptive statistics form the foundation of data analysis, providing essential tools to summarize, interpret, and present numerical information effectively. Understanding key statistical measures allows professionals to extract meaningful insights from data and communicate findings clearly.

This Introduction to Descriptive Statistics course is designed to explain fundamental data measurement concepts and introduce summary statistics, central tendency, dispersion, and data presentation techniques. The session takes a practical, participatory approach, allowing delegates to calculate summary statistics and explore the characteristics of data distributions, including the normal distribution, skewness, and kurtosis.

This John Varlow | Training and Consultancy session will cover:

✔ The fundamental principles of data measurement
✔ Introduction to summary statistics and their calculations
✔ Understanding prevalence and incidence rates in data analysis
✔ Exploring measures of central tendency (Mean, Median, Mode)
✔ Understanding measures of dispersion (Range, Interquartile Range, Standard Deviation)
✔ Introduction to the normal distribution ("bell-shaped curve") and data symmetry
✔ Investigating methods of data visualization and presentation

SESSION OBJECTIVES

By the end of this 3-hour session, participants will:

✔ Understand the basics of data measurement and different types of variables
✔ Learn how to calculate and interpret summary statistics
✔ Differentiate between prevalence and incidence in data reporting
✔ Recognize the importance of central tendency and dispersion in describing data
✔ Explore the normal distribution and how it affects data interpretation
✔ Identify effective ways to present data visually

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

This session is designed to be interactive and participatory, encouraging hands-on engagement with statistical concepts. Participants will work through guided calculations and practical exercises, reinforcing their understanding of summary statistics and data presentation techniques.

The training will include:
✔ Step-by-step demonstrations of statistical calculations
✔ Hands-on exercises to apply concepts in real-time
✔ Group discussions to explore statistical interpretation
✔ Examples of best-practice data visualization techniques

By the end of the session, participants will have practical experience in summarizing and interpreting data, preparing them for more advanced statistical analysis.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This course is suitable for anyone who needs to work with, interpret, or present numerical data. It is particularly relevant for:

✔ Managers & Analysts working with performance data
✔ Researchers & Academics seeking a foundation in data analysis
✔ Finance, Business, and Operations Professionals who use statistical reporting
✔ Healthcare & Public Sector Professionals analyzing population data
✔ Anyone who wants to build confidence in working with numbers

Pre-requisites:

✔ Basic numeracy skills are required, but no prior statistical knowledge is necessary.

SESSION CONTENT

1. Understanding Data Measurement & Classification

✔ Types of data: Categorical vs. Numerical
✔ Recognizing levels of measurement (Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, Ratio)

2. Summary Statistics & Their Calculation

✔ Introduction to descriptive statistics and their role in analysis
✔ Step-by-step guide to calculating summary statistics

3. Prevalence & Incidence in Data Analysis

✔ Understanding prevalence and incidence rates
✔ Real-world applications of rate-based statistics

4. Measures of Central Tendency & Dispersion

✔ Exploring Mean, Median, and Mode – when to use each measure
✔ Understanding Range, Interquartile Range, and Standard Deviation

5. Introduction to the Normal Distribution

✔ Understanding the bell-shaped curve
✔ Recognizing skewness and kurtosis in data distributions

6. Presenting Data Effectively

✔ Choosing the right charts and graphs for different types of data
✔ Identifying common mistakes in data visualization

DURATION

⏳ 3 Hours

This session provides a concise yet comprehensive introduction to descriptive statistics, enabling participants to confidently summarize, interpret, and present numerical data.

CERTIFICATION

Upon successful completion of this session, participants will receive a John Varlow | Training and Consultancy Certificate of Completion.