Averages and summary statistics help managers make sense of complex data, but a single number does not always tell the full story. In this module, you’ll explore how descriptive statistics help summarize data and how the choice of measure influences interpretation. You’ll learn to distinguish among the mean, median, and mode, examine how outliers and skewed distributions affect these measures, and consider when group-level averages provide more meaningful insights than an overall average. You’ll also explore how measures of variability help explain differences within a data set. By the end of the module, you’ll be able to select and interpret appropriate descriptive statistics, evaluate what summary measures reveal or conceal, and use them to support more informed managerial decisions.

Understanding individual measures is an important starting point, but managers often need to examine how different variables relate to one another. In this module, you’ll explore how to identify and interpret relationships in data, using tools such as scatterplots and correlation to examine the direction and strength of associations. You’ll also consider how relationships can be misleading, why correlation does not necessarily imply causation, and how additional context can change the interpretation of a pattern. By the end of the module, you’ll be able to evaluate relationships between variables, distinguish association from causation, and assess what those relationships can—and cannot—tell you about a managerial decision.

Data analysis is most valuable when it informs decisions and leads to meaningful action. In this module, you’ll explore how analytics supports different stages of the business decision life cycle, from defining a problem and identifying relevant information to interpreting evidence, evaluating alternatives, and monitoring outcomes. You’ll consider how managers can select analytical approaches that fit the decision at hand, recognize the limitations of available data, and communicate insights that support effective action. By the end of the module, you’ll be able to connect analytical findings to managerial decisions, evaluate when additional evidence is needed, and apply a structured approach to using data throughout the decision-making process.

Effective business analytics requires more than knowing how to interpret a chart or calculate a statistic. In this final module, you'll bring together the tools developed throughout the course, from recognizing patterns and interpreting descriptive statistics to evaluating relationships and connecting analytical findings to business decisions. You'll consider how these approaches complement one another, why evidence must be interpreted in context, and when managerial judgment is needed. By the end of the module, you'll be prepared to apply these concepts to new business situations and evaluate what the data can—and cannot—tell you.