UndergradSkiller: Skill Set Map for Undergraduates and Their Educators

CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING: Data Literacy

Statistical and Numerical Analysis

Statistical and numerical methods provide the tools for analyzing quantitative data, testing hypotheses, and drawing evidence-based conclusions. A working knowledge of these methods is essential in STEM fields and increasingly valued across the social sciences and humanities.

Useful Resources on Statistical and Numerical Analysis:

Demanet, L. (2012). Introduction to numerical analysis. MIT OpenCourseWare. https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/18-330-introduction-to-numerical-analysis-spring-2012

Annotation: MIT undergraduate course covering fundamental techniques for the efficient numerical solution of problems in science and engineering, including root finding, interpolation, approximation of functions, integration, differential equations, and direct and iterative methods in linear algebra. Materials include lecture notes, problem sets, and instructor insights.

Rudin, C., Chang, A., & Bisias, D. (2011). Statistical thinking and data analysis. MIT OpenCourseWare. https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/15-075j-statistical-thinking-and-data-analysis-fall-2011

Annotation: Full undergraduate course from MIT introducing statistical data analysis. Covers applied probability, sampling, estimation, hypothesis testing, linear regression, analysis of variance, categorical data analysis, and nonparametric statistics. Includes lecture notes, problem sets with solutions, exams, and programming assignments.

Peer Review: None

Table of contents:

3.1. Critical Thinking
3.1.1. Introductions to Critical Thinking
3.1.2. Developing Thinking Skills

3.2. Critical Reading and Analysis

3.3. Analysis and Argumentation

3.4. Critical Reasoning

3.5. Synthesis

3.6. Problem-Solving and Design Thinking
3.6.1. Problem-Solving
3.6.2. Design Thinking

3.7. Research Methods
3.7.1. Research Design
3.7.2. Research Ethics

3.8. Data Literacy
3.8.1. Understanding Data
3.8.2. Computational Thinking

3.8.3. Statistical and Numerical Analysis

3.9. Curiosity and Creative Thinking
3.9.1. Creative Exercises
3.9.2. Understanding Curiosity

 

Author: Leeanne Irwin

Peer Reviewer(s): None