By the end of this course, you will be able to collect, organize, visualize, summarize, and interpret data; evaluate relationships between quantitative variables; build and assess simple linear regression models; and critically examine statistical claims presented in everyday life. Statistics for Civic Life I: Understanding Data is designed for learners who want to become more confident working with data without requiring an extensive mathematical background. You will learn how to distinguish different types of data, describe distributions using graphs and numerical summaries, identify patterns and outliers, and analyze associations using correlation and regression. You will also explore how poor data collection, misleading visualizations, confounding variables, and other common pitfalls can lead to incorrect conclusions.
What makes this course unique is its emphasis on statistical reasoning and data literacy in real-world contexts. Rather than focusing primarily on formulas and calculation, the course emphasizes how to ask good questions, evaluate evidence, interpret results, and communicate conclusions clearly. These skills are especially valuable for understanding data encountered in the humanities, social sciences, public policy, journalism, and civic life.
