This first module investigates analytical and
graphical methods used to estimate the accuracy
and precision of a process. This will give you
the background you need to study the normal
distribution and the methods of process improvement,
covered in the remaining modules of the Primer.
If you need to analyze data in your job, spreadsheets
are a basic tool. In our more advanced courses
we introduce a more specialized statistical
software package called Minitab.
If you are not familiar with spreadsheets,
you should also review the free MiC
Quality Excel Primer.
After completing this module you will be able to:
- calculate the mean, median, and mode of a data set (often
called measures of 'central tendency')
- distinguish between 'accuracy' and 'precision', and understand
why the distinction is important
- calculate the 'variance' and 'standard deviation' of a data
set, and appreciate their importance
- create histograms from a set of data
- carry out the calculations manually, or using Excel
