Supply of statistical training services - Lot 1: Introduction to descriptive statistics

Project Background:

This framework contract between Eurostat and GOPA-Consultants concerns the provision of statistical training services to Commission staff and for Eurostat in particular. Courses will provide Commission staff with continuous training in new methods, techniques and best practices related to descriptive statistics and will integrate the application of European concepts and definitions.

Objectives:

The general objectives defined in Eurostat's tender specifications are the following:

• Understand the difference between descriptive and inferential statistics;
• Appreciate the value of exploratory methods in preliminary data analysis;
• Explore, characterize and identify problems and trends in data using graphical tools;
• Use descriptive statistics to summarize data; and
• Choose the appropriate graphs;
• Analyse data more quickly and more accurately;
• Interpret results reliably and confidently; and
• Apply new knowledge in a daily work environment.

Activities:

GOPA offered three-day courses (both introductory and advanced) focussing on:

• The general objectives of statistics;
• What is descriptive statistics;
• Population, sample and collection of data;
• Types of statistical variables;
• Tools of descriptive statistics for one variable and two variables;
• Concentration measures;
• Index numbers;
• Graphical tools;
• Data collection and sources of data;
• Some references on sampling and quality;
• Next step: inductive statistics, what is that?