General Introduction

Welcome message
Welcome (Dear Students) to the Module of Introduction to Statistics. It is with pleasure that we would like to welcome you to this module(AST 1231). This module comprises seven units including Introduction, graphical representations, measures of central tendency, measures of Dispersion or Deviations, application of Statistics, regression, and correlations, and Index Numbers.

This Module deals with elementary statistical concepts which are used in Applied statistics and Economics. The Module introduces the statistical tools that are useful to analyze univariate, bivariate data, and index numbers. The key objective of this module is to equip learners with essential statistical skills that help to make an effective decision in a real-life situation, especially in business and economics.

Throughout this module, you will find a variety of activities that you are expected to attempt at the end of each section. There will be some questions that will test your level of understanding in each unit. Although answers to these activities are provided at the end of each unit, you can discuss and compare your answers with your colleagues to see how correct or wrong your answers are. You should proceed to the next unit if the activities of the preceding were done without problems.
If you encountered some problems, do more references to the learning materials, go over the content of that particular section in the unit one more, and revise the whole unit. You can also consult your colleagues or subject tutor.

Module aim
The module aims at equipping students with comprehensive elementary concepts of statistics that lay a foundation of major areas of Statistics.

Indicative contents
This course will cover seven chapters that are divided as follows:

1.  Introduction;
2. Charts and graphs;
3. Measures of Central Tendency;
4. Measures of Dispersion;
5. Application of Statistics;
6. Regression and Correlation;
7. Index numbers.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this module you will be able to:

1. Understand and explain some statistics concepts as tools of analysis of real-life situations, specifically in business;
2. Apply the techniques developed in statistics to model and solve real-life problems related to business;
3. Explain concepts and basic elements regarding each unit of the entire module;
4. Conduct any analysis related to the parameters based on each unit among seven units provide in the module description;
5. Apply the necessary technics and methods to improve their performance on gaining knowledge and skills appropriate.

Activities
The activities consist of:

• Lectures;
• Group Works / Group Discussions;
• Exercises/Practical;
• Group Assignments;
• Quizzes.

Literature
Read textbooks, published papers, articles, and scientific materials that can be accessed through the UR library website:
https://library.ur.ac.rw/
Assessment strategies,
Continuous courses,
Modules credits: 10
Allocation of study and teaching hours, (see module course)
Total hours: 100

Facilitators
The module will be facilitated by :

Dr. Daniel Ruturwa , Phone: +250788527050/788305050, E-mail: danielruturwa@gmail.com

Pascal Kayisire, Cell-phone: +250788603244, E-mail: kayisirepascal@gmail.com