Statistics for the Non-Mathematical Mind

An ACRL Online Course
July 23 - August 10, 2012

Description: Statistics are used in collecting, organizing and analyzing numerical data. It an essential skill enabling individuals to understand and make intellectual and logical decisions in the workplace, as well as, in everyday life. Assessing services, resources, personnel and facilities is necessary in our world of accountability. This course discusses major concepts and uses spreadsheets for collecting, organizing, analyzing and presenting numerical data needed for assessment. The course focuses more on the concepts of statistics and less on actual number crunching. The course discusses descriptive statistics in the first two-weeks, including mean, median, mode and standard deviation and includes a discussion about inferential statistics in the last two-weeks; including sampling, experimentation, variability, distribution, causation, estimation, hypotheses testing and how it relates to the job and everyday situations. The emphasis on the course will be how to critically review and analyze the data in the literature, as well as your own generated data. The goal of the course is to assist in understanding the full benefit appreciation, relevance and importance of statistics in the workplace and everyday life applications.    Throughout the course there will be discussion boards and online chats to discuss common issues and challenges related to statistics.

Learning outcomes:

  • Participants will be able to discuss statistics without fear and trepidation.
  • Participants will be able to use spreadsheets to compute the data. 
  • Participants will be able to critically analyze the data results and communicate accurately the conclusion and interpretation of the data.

Target Audience: Librarians in academic libraries

Presenters: Tony Garrett, Ed. D., Head of Reference and Access Services, Troy University

Course Requirements: Your participation will require approximately three to five hours per week (primarily asynchronous) to:

  • Read the online seminar material
  • Post to online discussion boards
  • Complete online exercises
  • Complete a seminar evaluation form

Live chat sessions will be scheduled throughout the course.

Registration:
ACRL member: $135
ALA member: $175
Nonmember: $195
Student: $60

How to Register:

Register with Credit Card

  • Scroll down to the month when the event is offered. Select the "Register" link next to the course on ALA's Distance Learning page (linked above).
  • You will need to log in with your ALA ID & password. If you do not have an ALA ID & password, you will be asked to create one in order to register.

Register by PO

  • Download and complete the PO registration form.
  • Submit the form along with your actual PO to ALA registration (fax or mail; see form for details).
  • You will not be considered registered for the course until both your PO and the registration form have been received and processed by ALA registration.


Access instructions will be sent out one business day prior to the start of the course.

Member rates apply to personal memberships only. Want to join ACRL or ALA? Complete the online membership form, available on the ALA Web site. If you join ALA/ACRL within five days of registering, we will adjust your fee (please fax a copy of your completed registration form to ACRL at 312-280-2520 ).

Payment may be made by credit card or purchase order (PO) only. If paying by PO, the PO number is required at the time of registration. Class size is limited to 60 participants. Full refunds will be granted up to 14 days prior to the start of the seminar.

Questions should be directed to Margot Conahan at mconahan@ala.org..