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The Teaching Quantitative Skills in the Geosciences website has not been significantly updated since 2011. We are preserving the web pages here because they still contain useful ideas and content. But be aware that the site may have out of date information.
You can find more recent and extensive resources on the Teach the Earth website.

Resources for Introductory Statistics

Initial Publication Date: December 21, 2006
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Regression Correlation


Below we provide information and links to topics in statistics that may be appropriate for your students. The Glossary from HyperStat ( This site may be offline. ) is also a potentially useful resource.

  • Basic statistical calculations, such as the calculation of the mean, variance, and standard deviation, are fundamental to the analysis of most data. Learn more here

  • The central limit theorem is intimately related to the idea that an increase in sample size improves the estimate for the mean value of a population Learn more here

  • Covariance and correlation between two data sets (bivariate data) may also be appropriately introduced in your course. Learn more here

  • The t-distribution and t-statistics are useful in establishing confidence limits (error bars) for a sample mean, or for the slope and intercept values calculated from a least squares linear regression. Learn more here

  • Least Squares Linear Regression is often introduced in introductory courses to varying degrees of mathematical sophistication. Learn more here
  • Fourier transforms of time series or spatial data are used throughout the geosciences. Consider providing your introductory-level students with some familiarity of this essential analysis tool. Learn more here