Basic Statistics for Data Analysis

Free statistics course

Basic Statistics for Data Analysis

Learn practical statistics in simple English: questions, variables, bias, distributions, probability, confidence intervals, p-values, effect sizes, correlation, causation, and careful reporting.

  • Available now
  • Free course
  • No coding required
  • Before Python or R statistics
  • Worksheets and synthetic datasets

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Statistics before software

Learn judgement before tools

This course teaches the thinking learners need before using Python or R for statistics. The focus is not memorising formulas. The focus is asking better questions, reading evidence carefully, and writing conclusions that do not overclaim.

Frame the question

Turn vague claims into statistical questions with units, outcomes, comparisons, populations, and limits.

Read the evidence

Use denominators, distributions, uncertainty, p-values, and effect sizes without losing practical meaning.

Report carefully

Separate association from causation and write evidence memos that name assumptions and limits.

Course details

What you need before starting

Prerequisite

Basic arithmetic, percentages, simple ratios, and comfort reading small tables and simple charts.

Workload

25-35 hours across twelve modules, worksheets, checkpoints, answer keys, and a final evidence memo.

Format

Static lessons, synthetic datasets, learner templates, and a downloadable activity pack. Videos can be added later.

Syllabus

Twelve-module course sequence

The order moves from questions and data quality into summaries, uncertainty, statistical tests, group comparison, causation, experiments, and final reporting.

Module 01

Statistical Questions and Data Claims

  • Turn a vague topic into a clear statistical question and a careful claim boundary.
  • Practise with a synthetic dataset, worksheet, checkpoint, and answer key.
Module 02

Variables, Measurement, Samples, and Bias

  • Identify units, variables, samples, populations, missing evidence, and likely bias.
  • Practise with a synthetic dataset, worksheet, checkpoint, and answer key.
Module 03

Counts, Rates, Percentages, and Proportions

  • Compare counts only after checking the denominator.
  • Practise with a synthetic dataset, worksheet, checkpoint, and answer key.
Module 04

Centre, Spread, and Distribution Shape

  • Describe numeric data with centre, spread, shape, and outlier caution.
  • Practise with a synthetic dataset, worksheet, checkpoint, and answer key.
Module 05

Reading Charts and Distributions

  • Read charts by separating what is shown from what is not proved.
  • Practise with a synthetic dataset, worksheet, checkpoint, and answer key.
Module 06

Probability, Randomness, and Variation

  • Build intuition for chance, repeated trials, noise, and signal.
  • Practise with a synthetic dataset, worksheet, checkpoint, and answer key.
Module 07

Sampling Variation and Confidence Intervals

  • Interpret estimates with uncertainty ranges instead of false precision.
  • Practise with a synthetic dataset, worksheet, checkpoint, and answer key.
Module 08

Hypothesis Testing and p-values

  • Interpret p-values as evidence checks, not proof.
  • Practise with a synthetic dataset, worksheet, checkpoint, and answer key.
Module 09

Comparing Groups and Effect Sizes

  • Compare groups using magnitude, uncertainty, and practical meaning.
  • Practise with a synthetic dataset, worksheet, checkpoint, and answer key.
Module 10

Non-Parametric Thinking and Assumption Caution

  • Recognize when common tests need assumption caution and simpler alternatives.
  • Practise with a synthetic dataset, worksheet, checkpoint, and answer key.
Module 11

Correlation, Confounding, and Causation

  • Avoid claiming causation from association alone.
  • Practise with a synthetic dataset, worksheet, checkpoint, and answer key.
Module 12

Experiments, A/B Tests, and Statistical Reporting

  • Bring the course together in a careful evidence report.
  • Practise with a synthetic dataset, worksheet, checkpoint, and answer key.

Start the course now

The first release is text-first and worksheet-first. The activity pack includes synthetic datasets, worksheets, answer keys, and reusable learner templates.

Start course
Download activity pack