Statistics & Methods graduate courses
School of International Service
Make sure that the Statistics and Methods courses you take fulfill your degree requirements. Each MA degree in SIS has its own requirements and its own list of approved “Second-Level Methods” courses. Be sure to review your program’s Advising Worksheet. Graduate Advising also maintains a list of program-approved Second-Level Methods courses.
American University
American University’s business, arts and sciences, and public affairs schools also offer a variety of statistics and methods courses, with different schools approaching these subjects from the perspective of the disciplines in which they specialize. Be sure to look at the complete list of AU Quantitative Analysis Graduate Courses if you want to learn more.
Resources for further training
Your training doesn’t need to end at the classroom door. There are numerous statistics courses you can access online for free. This is not a comprehensive list, but is intended to help you start your search.
Free, online resources
- Coursera has a wide array of free, rotating statistics courses, including courses like introductory data analysis, programming in R, spatial analysis, and survey design.
- Khan Academy’s section on probability and statistics includes several hours of on-demand videos covering topics from basic probability theory to inferential statistics and regression analysis.
- Lynda.com features extensive, on-demand tutorials on several of the most common software programs or statistical analysis, including SPSS, Excel, R, Python, and SQL. Current students can access the entire collection of tutorials for free by logging in through the AU Library list of databases.
Math & statistics skills refresher
Current master’s students are enrolled automatically in the SIS Skills Refresher, a self-guided short course to help you get up to speed on the basic mathematical concepts you need to succeed in any statistics course. The site features a self-assessment test, quick video tutorials, practice problems, and more.
To participate in the Skills Refresher, log in to the American University Blackboard page, scroll through the list of courses in which you are enrolled, and click “Skills Refresher.”
Coding, Analysis, & Statistical Computing
Once you have availed yourself of the data resources on Find Your Data, it’s time for coding, cleaning, transforming, and eventually analysis. This can be a tricky and frustrating process for beginners and experts alike, particularly if you’re working with a new software program. We’ve aggregated information on how to access statistical software on and off campus and resources for data analysis in some of the most common statistical software programs.
Accessing statistical software at AU
AU students, faculty, and staff have open access to a number of statistical packages on and off campus.
Campus Computers
If you're working on a campus computer that is logged on to the AU network, you already have access to SPSS, Stata, and EViews through the U: drive.
Stata, SPSS, EViews, and SAS are also installed natively on the machines in all of AU's computing labs. Some labs also include software for managing and analyzing "big data." Find out more at Campus Computing Facilities.
Virtual Computers
Whether on or off campus, access 10 different statistical software apps through American University's Virtual Apps client.
Learning to use statistical software
Here is a brief list of tutorials and video guides to four of the most common statistical software packages. In addition to these resources, note that there are hundreds of books on each program, many of them available at the AU Library. Moreover, there are very few data questions that have not been asked and answered online. A simple search will typically help you solve even the most advanced challenges. Finally, note that consultants at the Center for Teaching, Research, and Learning (CTRL) offer both regular software workshops and drop-in hours for AU students, faculty, and staff.
Stata
- UCLA Stat Consulting Group is the most extensive Stata resource available on the web. Both beginners and advanced users will find this site useful.
- Germán Rodríguez's Stata Tutorial is a brief guide to Stata, including how to create graphics and program in Stata.
- Intermediate and Advanced Stata Skills is a resource of links to guides on merging, appending, and several programming tricks (including macros and loops) maintained by Harvard University Undergrad Research Scholars.
IBM SPSS
- LinkedIn Learning SPSS is a free course on statistical computing using IBM SPSS. You will need your AU login information to access this course.
- UCLA Stat Consulting Group contains guides, videos, and annotated output. You will find resources for SPSS users at all levels.
R and Python
- UCLA Stat Consulting Group is a great place to explore the R environment for users at all levels. You'll find guides for beginners, annotated output, and technical discussions for advanced programmers.
- An R Introduction is a written introduction to the open-source R environment. First-time users may want to start with the information in Appendix A of this guide.
- Quick-R Guide is an open and extensive site that provides an excellent introduction to R, especially for those looking to transition to R from other statistical software packages.