Universität Wien

290091 VU Introduction to Statistics (2026S)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 29 - Geographie
Continuous assessment of course work

ACHTUNG Nur für Studierende im Bachelor Geographie 2016 nach Absolvierung der StEOP.
Moodle
We 15.04. 17:45-21:00 Hörsaal I NIG Erdgeschoß

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 40 participants
Language: German

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Partially blocked (compact-format) course. The sessions take place at the following times:
Wed, 15 April 2026, 17:45–20:00 (Preliminary meeting and introduction) *
Wed, 22 April 2026, 15:00–18:15 (Session 1)
Wed, 29 April 2026, 15:00–18:15 (Session 2)
Wed, 6 May 2026, 15:00–18:15 (Session 3) *
Wed, 13 May 2026, 15:00–18:15 (Session 4)
Wed, 20 May 2026, 15:00–18:15 (Session 5)
Wed, 27 May 2026, 15:00–18:15 (Session 6)
Wed, 3 June 2026, 15:00–18:15 (Final exam – 1st attempt) *
Wed, 17 June 2026, 15:00–18:15 (Final exam – 2nd attempt) *

* Lecture room to be announced.*

IMPORTANT: Unexcused absence from the preliminary meeting results in immediate deregistration from the course. This ensures that students on the waiting list can be offered a place

  • Wednesday 22.04. 15:00 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
  • Wednesday 29.04. 15:00 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
  • Wednesday 06.05. 15:00 - 18:15 Hörsaal III NIG Erdgeschoß
  • Wednesday 13.05. 15:00 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
  • Wednesday 20.05. 15:00 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
  • Wednesday 27.05. 15:00 - 18:15 Hörsaal 5A Geographie NIG 5.OG A0518
  • Wednesday 03.06. 15:00 - 18:15 Hörsaal III NIG Erdgeschoß

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The content of the course is the teaching of content and methodological basics for the simple uni- and bivariate analysis of physio- and humangeographic data sets with the program package Excel.
Objectives: Students will
.) know central forms and differences of data collection, sampling as well as data summarization in physio- and humangeographical research.
.) master the most important functionalities necessary for statistical data analysis with Excel.
.) can adequately prepare data for uni- and bivariate analyses in Excel.
.) are able to summarize data sets using univariate and bivariate descriptive statistics and prepare them in the form of simple tables, charts and graphs (in Excel).
.) can successfully carry out hypothesis tests (e.g. t-test and chi-square test).
.) can interpret the results correctly and summarize them in a linguistically understandable way.

Method
Development of the theory as well as discussion and interpretation of results in the unit on site. In order to consolidate what has been learned, exercises must be completed independently. Additional support for implementation: tutorials.

It would make sense if you had Excel available on your computer from the start of the course and took your laptop/tablet with you to every unit. Students of the University of Vienna can obtain “Microsoft 365 for Students” (which includes Excel, among other applications) free of charge
(https://zid.univie.ac.at/software-fuer-studierende/microsoft-365-fuer-studierende). The central functionalities of Excel are taught in the course.

Alternatively, you can also carry out the exercises on all computers in the computer rooms at the University of Vienna.

Assessment and permitted materials

15% Participation
35% Individual Excercises
50% Final Exam

Students have the opportunity to take the final exam twice. The better of the two attempts will be counted.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Grading is based on the awarding of points. The maximum number of points that can be achieved is 100 points.

To be positive, all of the following minimum requirements must be met:
- Ongoing attendance (maximum of two units absences),
- Submission of 5 individual practice assignments,
- Minimum 15 points on the practice assignments,
- Minimum of 20 points on the final exam.

If the minimum requirements are met, the points p achieved will be converted into a grade as follows:
p < 50: not sufficient (N5)
50 <= p < 62.5: sufficient (U4)
62.5 <= p < 75: satisfactory (B3)
75 <= p < 87.5: good (G2)
p >= 87.5: very good (S1)

Examination topics

See also content above.
.) Exercises with Excel on the different methods.
.) Final exam on theoretical and methodological basics as well as on the interpretation of results.

Reading list

De Lang N. und Nipper J. (2018): Quantitative Methodik in der Geographie.
Duller C. (2013): Einführung in die Statistik mit Excel und SPSS. Ein anwendungsorientiertes Lehr- und Arbeitsbuch.
Walford N. (2011): Practical Statistics for Geographers and Earth Scientists.
Wheater C.P., Cook P.A. (2006): Using Statistics to Understand the Environment.
McKillup S., Darby Dyar M. (2010): Geostatistics Explained – An Introductory Guide for Earth Scientists.
Zimmermann-Janschitz S. (2014): Statistik in der Geographie. Eine Exkursion durch die deskriptive Statistik.

Association in the course directory

(BA GG 5.1)

Last modified: Mo 23.02.2026 19:27