Everyday Maths for Social Sciences
Build essential maths skills for social science research. Learn to work with data, statistics, and numbers with confidence.
Duration
5 weeksWeekly study
3 hoursLanguages
English, Italiano, Español, Français, PortuguêsEnglish, Italiano, Español100% online
How it worksDigital upgrade
Free
Everyday Maths for Social Sciences
Gain the numeracy and statistics skills you need for social science research
Numbers don’t have to be scary, even if maths isn’t your strong suit. This course builds the essential numeracy skills you need to understand data, make sense of research, and feel confident working with statistics in social sciences.
You’ll get comfortable with fractions, decimals, percentages, and basic algebra all in the context of social science research.
By the end, you’ll be able to read and interpret data without breaking into a sweat, and apply quantitative methods to real social science problems.
Build your foundation: fractions, decimals, and percentages in context
Improve your working knowledge of fractions, decimals, percentages, and basic algebra as they’re actually used in social science research.
You’ll strengthen your ability to interpret numerical information and understand how these fundamental skills support more advanced statistical work.
Understanding averages, probability, and what statistics really mean
Learn what averages really mean, understand how probability works in research, and get to grips with the statistics you’ll actually encounter in social science studies.
You’ll calculate and understand measures of central tendency and variability, and see how probability concepts connect to research design and analysis.
Present your findings: data communication skills that work
Learn how to present your findings clearly using graphs, tables, and plain language. You’ll build the confidence to use numbers in your work—and explain them to others. These data communication skills will help you summarise information effectively and apply quantitative methods to answer real social science questions.
Syllabus
Week 1
Working with Numbers
Welcome to Everyday Maths for Social Sciences
In this first activity, we cover the objectives of the week and the importance of Maths when studying Social Sciences.
Types of Numbers and Symbols
In this activity, we introduce you to positive and negative numbers, and take a look at symbols.
Working with Positive Numbers
In this section, we will go over some basic operations with positive numbers. ‘Operations’ is the word for the parts of a calculation that signify an action, like add, subtract, divide, and multiply (+ - x ÷).
Working with Negative Numbers
Now let’s go over what happens when we work with negative numbers, and both negative and positive numbers together.
Order of Operations
In this activity, we take a look at BODMAS.
Introduction to Formulae
In this activity, we explore working with formulae.
Week 1 Summary
Finally, we summarise what you have learned in this first week.
Week 2
Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages
Week 2 Introduction
We cover this week's materials and learning objectives.
Fractions
In this activity, we introduce you to fractions.
Decimals
In this activity, we introduce you to the decimal system.
Percentages
In this activity, we will introduce you to percentages and how to calculate them.
Converting between Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages
In this activity, we demonstrate how to convert fractions, decimals, and percentages.
Week 2 Summary
Finally, we summarise this week and test your knowledge on what you have learned so far.
Week 3
Averages and the Range
Introduction to Week 3
We introduce you to the third week of the course and provide an overview of the learning outcomes for this week.
Averages: The Mean, Median, and Mode
In this activity, we look at each of the types of averages.
Introducing the Range
In this activity, we will explain what the range is and show you how to identify it.
Applying Averages and the Range to Research Data
In this activity, we are going to apply our learning to two sets of data, so that we can compare them.
Week 3 Summary
Finally, we summarise what you have learned this week.
Week 4
Probability
Week 4 Introduction
We introduce you to the week and go over the learning objectives.
What is Probability?
In this activity, we introduce you to the concept of probability and the Probability Tree.
Formula and Types of Probability
In this activity, we cover the formula for probability.
Types of ’Events’
We provide an overview of the different types of probability events.
Probability in Research
In this activity, we explore how probability and data analysis plays a key role in the research process.
Week 4 Summary
Finally, we recap on this week's learning materials.
Week 5
Basic Statistics and Communicating Data
Week 5 Introduction
In this activity, we recap on the previous weeks and cover the learning outcomes for this week.
Analysing Data Using Statistics
In this activity, we introduce you to statistics and collecting data.
Communicating Data Using Tables
In this activity, we explain the structure and purpose of a table when collecting and communicating data.
Visualising Data Using Graphs
In this activity, we explain how data can be described through graphs.
Types of Graphs
In this activity, we look at the different types of graphs that are used.
Week 5 Summary
We finish the week with a summary of what you have learned.
Final Quiz
Finally, test your knowledge on everything you have learned in this course.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Apply mathematical operations to whole and rational numbers
- Compare and interpret data sets
- Explain the concept of probability and its application within research
- Present and interpret data in different formats
Who is the course for?
This course is ideal for social science students and researchers who need to strengthen their maths and statistics skills, whether you’re just starting out or brushing up before tackling more advanced quantitative methods.
Who will you learn with?
Who developed the course?
Arden University
Arden University has a proud heritage in providing flexible and accessible higher education. We’ve grown and evolved from our beginnings in 1990 as the chosen online learning partner for universities across Britain, to offer a new kind of learning experience, providing both online and blended learning degree courses that meet the changing needs of modern life.
What's included?
Arden University are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn
Learner reviews
Learner reviews cannot be loaded due to your cookie settings. Please and refresh the page to view this content.
Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...
More courses you might like
Learners who joined this course have also enjoyed these courses.
Browse more in Psychology & Mental Health and Politics & Society
