# Descriptive Statistics for Data Analysis Course Canonical URL: ## Overview Leaders and professionals require a basic understanding of statistics to properly analyze information and evaluate options. This introductory statistics course provides a foundation for analyzing data. The class begins with a review of arithmetic and algebra that is used in statistical calculations. Following the review, participants proceed to basic descriptive statistics, including percentages, averages, proportions, and more. The emphasis throughout the course is on understanding the concepts underlying the statistical formulas and which formula to use in a given analytic situation. Each concept is presented with examples, then practiced with calculations and interpretations to increase understanding. ## What you'll learn - Describe and develop frequency distributions. - Calculate proportions and percentages. - Calculate measures of the average and the variation in quantitative data. - Use proportions and percents to describe variation in categorical data. - Describe normal distribution. - Calculate and use z-scores to identify probabilities under the normal distribution ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Arithmetic and Algebra for Statistical Calculations - Review order of operations and algebraic manipulation used in formulas. - Convert among fractions, decimals, and percentages for analysis. - Apply exponent rules and roots in statistical computations. - Set up and solve equations that appear in descriptive statistics. #### Module 2: Frequency Distributions for Categorical and Quantitative Data - Organize data into tables and class intervals. - Create and interpret histograms, bar charts, and frequency polygons. - Distinguish between categorical and quantitative distributions. #### Module 3: Descriptive Statistics for Categorical Data: Proportions and Percentages - Compute proportions, percentages, and rates from frequency data. - Compare categories using relative frequency and percent distributions. - Present categorical summaries with clear labels and scales. #### Module 4: Two and Three-Way Contingency Tables for Categorical Data - Construct cross-tabulations to explore relationships between variables. - Calculate joint, marginal, and conditional percentages. - Identify patterns and potential associations across categories. #### Module 5: Descriptive Statistics for Quantitative Data: Averages - Compute mean, median, and mode and know when to use each. - Handle grouped data and weighted means. - Assess sensitivity of measures of center to skew and outliers. #### Module 6: Descriptive Statistics for Quantitative Data: Dispersion - Calculate range, interquartile range, variance, and standard deviation. - Interpret dispersion to understand variability and consistency. - Use boxplots and standard deviation rules to summarize spread. #### Module 7: Calculating Relative Position with a Z Score - Standardize values to z scores for comparison across scales. - Interpret positive/negative z scores and percentiles. - Apply z scores to identify unusual observations. #### Module 8: The Standard Normal Distribution - Describe properties of the normal curve and symmetry. - Use standard normal tables to find areas and probabilities. - Relate empirical rule (68–95–99.7) to real-world data. #### Module 9: How to Select a Random Sample from a Population - Differentiate populations, samples, and sampling frames. - Implement simple random sampling and avoid selection bias. - Use random digits or software to draw unbiased samples. ## Schedule - Jul 8, 2026 – Jul 9, 2026 — Live Online - Sep 16, 2026 – Sep 17, 2026 — Live Online - Oct 13, 2026 – Oct 14, 2026 — Live Online ## Instructors ### Bruce Gay — Instructor Bruce is an engaging trainers and program manager who brings 25+ years practical experience to deliver effective and experiential training to students. Able to engage adult learners with a range of backgrounds and professional experiences. Successful at building effective stakeholder relationships and coordinating multi-disciplinary teams for solution delivery. Bruce has over 25 years of project and program management experience across multiple industries. He has a Masters degree from The George Washington University and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Bruce currently runs his own freelance training and consulting business, helping project managers and team leaders improve their business skills, become better leaders, and achieve professional greatness. Bruce is a well-received speaker in the areas of design thinking, project management, cross-team collaboration, and AI tools for projects, and has presented at regional and international conferences. ### Steve Pesklo — Instructor Steve is an energetic trainer who focuses on applying technical concepts to everyday work practices. He is the founder and president of SoftLake Solutions, a company that specializes in providing data and AI applications to identify fraud for Internal Audit, Criminal Investigations, Forensic Accounting, Privacy, and Compliance. Steve brings a large amount of experience across multiple industries and government agencies. He is an expert in implementing large data analysis projects across the world, including Inland Revenue in the UK and Argentina, New Zealand, Africa and across Europe. Previously, he was the manager of Data Architecture and Data Services for a large mortgage company. He is a frequent speaker on data analytics and project management topics and speaks fluent German. He has been teaching at the Graduate School for over 10 years. Steve has an M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas and a B.S. in Computer Science from California Lutheran University and the Universität Salzburg in Austria. He is certified as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Project Management Professional (PMP), and a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM). ### Joe Mlakar — Instructor Joe has over 27 years of Federal Government and military service and has been a part-time instructor with Graduate School USA since 2023. He enjoys using his technical knowledge in Operations Research to teach his students to provide organization and structure to complex processes, and apply advanced analytical techniques to help leaders make better decisions. Joe is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $1049