One of the major goals of statistics is to find patterns and relationships in datasets. Hence almost all lectures, homework problems, and test questions in the course have the study of patterns for variables and relationships between variables as their basis.

In all of the textbooks and course notes used in this course, the majority of the problems are real-world based and are “word” problems. Further, all instructors require the students when doing such problems to write conclusions and discuss limitations.

The topics covered are chosen so that students who complete the course can organize data, communicate essential features of the data both numerically and graphically and provide interpretations/conclusions.

The scientific method is discussed early in the course. The logic of hypothesis testing is discussed in detail. Further, on tests and written assignments, the students are expected to go beyond simple analysis and provide implications, interpretations, and conclusions.