IF0FDA: Foundation Data Analysis

Module code: IF0FDA

Module provider: Global Academy

Credits: 20

ECTS credits: 10

Level: F

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Miss Natalie Drake, email: n.drake@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE IF0FIS (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded: IN TAKING THIS MODULE YOU CANNOT TAKE IF0FDAJ (Compulsory)

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2026/7

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 25 March 2026

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module provides a supportive introduction to data analysis that connects everyday data use with discipline-specific applications. It enables students to see data not as abstract mathematics, but as a practical tool for understanding the world, solving problems, and making justified decisions in both their academic studies and future careers. Students will develop confidence and competence in applying basic statistical concepts, simple data visualisation and handling numerical and categorical data commonly used across many disciplines. Emphasis is placed on manipulation, interpretation, and communication of real-world data, and is suitable for students with or without a background in mathematics and statistics.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Identify different data types 
2. Obtain basic measures of location and spread using calculators and spreadsheet software and interpret in context 
3. Create different charts using Microsoft Excel (Line chart, Bar chart, Pie chart and Histograms) 
4. Apply Statistical knowledge in extracting meaningful insights from charts. 

Module content

Students will expand upon semester 1 (IF0FIS Foundation Information Systems) by learning how to collect, analyse and present real work data for decision making. 

Topics included are:    

• Introduction to Data
• Foundations of Statistics 
• Descriptive Statistics  
• Data Collection & Sampling 
• Introduction to probability 
• Basic concepts in Hypothesis Testing 
• Basic Data Management
• Data Visualisation
• Correlation and Linear Regression
• Data interpretation and reporting 
• Application of Data Analysis in various fields of study 

Use of the following (Microsoft Office) applications are taught: 

• Word Processing Software  
• Slide Creation Software  
• Spreadsheet Software 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching is delivered in person in the classroom with a lecture, a seminar and an ICT practical each week. Lecture materials are available online prior to each session. Weekly optional surgery hours for individual assistance are available as required.

Students will also be expected to take responsibility for their own learning by setting goals and making regular use of the University library, Blackboard (the University Virtual Learning Environment) and other online resources. 

Study hours

At least 63 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.  

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each calendar day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three calendar days;
• where the piece of work is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in you Individual Learning Plan), the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three calendar days of the deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

Where a piece of work is submitted late after a deadline which has been revised owing to an extension granted through the Assessment Adjustments policy and process (self-certified or otherwise), it will be subject to the maximum penalty (i.e., considered to be more than three calendar days late). This will also apply when such an extension is used in conjunction with a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Several formative assessments are conducted through: 

1. regular questioning in lessons to check students understanding through their responses 
2. routine quiz with automated marking testing students understanding of the theoretical concepts of contents covered in module. 
3. weekly hands-on practical tasks focused problems of the type encountered in the coursework. 

Optional drop-in sessions.  

All summative coursework is given formative feedback to enhance their effectiveness 

Reassessment

Additional costs