Module Overview

Working with Data

Histograms and frequency curves: various patterns and their causes, normal, skewed, truncated, bimodal. Time series plots: random variation, trend, shift, cyclical variation. Population and sample. Sampling techniques. Inference. Summary Statistics: mean, median and mode. Cross tabulations. Range, variance, standard deviation, coefficient of variation. Degrees of freedom.

Probability and Distributions

Definitions of probability. Calculating probabilities. Composite events. Applications in reliability. Concept of a probability distribution with reference to the binomial and Poisson. The normal distribution: use of tables.

Estimation

The addition of variances. The central limit theorem. Point estimates and confidence interval estimates of population means. Student’s t distribution. Approximate confidence intervals for population proportions. Sample size for estimation.

Hypothesis Testing

The reasoning behind a hypothesis test. Hypothesis testing procedure. Tests of population means and proportions. Sampling Plans.

Correlation and Regression

Scatterplots. Correlation coefficient. Coefficient of determination. Regression equation. Errors. Standard deviation about regression. Prediction: interpolation and extrapolation. Use of software and interpretation of software output.

Process Capability and SPC

Process capability analysis: statistics for assessing centrality, normality, stability, capability and performance. Process control: construction of SPC Charts for variables and attributes. Corrective, preventive and remedial action.

Quality Tools

The seven basic quality tools: fishbone diagram; check sheet; control chart; histogram; Pareto chart; scatter plot; run chart.

Lectures, demonstrations, exercises, tutorials, software demonstrations, project support and feedback.

Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown	%
Formal Examination	70
Other Assessment(s)	30