Producing Data

1. Introduction to Module 1

In everyday life, variation is everywhere. It is important to realise that variation occurs at every stage of exploring a question. Sometimes we try to explain why variation exists and what it means. For example, we may try to account for the differences in behaviour between male and female groups or the reasons why one factory produces better items than another. The aim of management often includes reducing variation so that more consistent processes and products occur.

Module 1 is designed to help develop skills which will encourage you to:

• look behind the data you are presented with in your everyday experiences;
• examine the format in which data are presented;
• examine the possible uses of data;
• determine what other data may be needed to fully answer a question or describe a situation.

Outcomes of Module 1

Upon successful completion of this module you will be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of data, sample, population, and variable;
2. apply these understandings to examine data critically;
3. demonstrate an appreciation of the principles of good design for observational and experimental studies;
4. demonstrate an awareness of bias and how it affects data.

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