Statistical data is frequently used to measure performance or assess the effectiveness of government policy and services delivery. However, statistics cannot always be taken at face value. The assumptions and methods used to generate statistics potentially affect the conclusions that can be drawn from them.

Policymakers need to ask themselves questions such as: is the sample that the statistics are based on representative of the population? Are the questions used to obtain the information relevant to the concept I’m interested in? Are there other explanations for the observed relationship between the data?

This course is designed to give non-statisticians the information they need to interpret data and make informed policy decisions. Mathematics will be kept to a minimum and preliminary information will be made available as a series of complimentary online lectures. These online lectures aren’t compulsory, but will be useful background for those without any experience in data collection or analysis. The remainder of the course will focus on examples and the practicalities of the Australian and international statistical environment. Come armed with questions and learn through interactive exercises to confidently interpret and analyse the data that you use in your day-to-day work.