Statistical Sciences

Synopsis

Shows the application of the statistical concept of maximum likelihood estimation to archaeology and astronomy. First, an archaeologist examining the magnetic susceptibility of rocks, uses a measuring instrument which records the magnetic ‘signature’ of the rock, allowing it to be tracked to its original site and date of quarrying. Given that these readings are imprecise, statistical techniques are used to establish the confidence limits for reliable predictions. In the second example, discussing the origins of the universe, statistical technique is used to estimate the ‘best fit’ equation that decribes the distribution of (radio) flux density through the (radio) observable universe.

Series

Elements of Statistics, Course M246

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 24 min.

Year of production

1995

Availability

Off-air recording licence
Sale; 2000 sale: £145.00 (+VAT +p&p)

Subjects

Mathematics

Keywords

archaeological investigation; cosmology; statistics

Credits

Producer

John Jaworski

Cast

Chris Jones

Production Company

Name

BBC Open University Productions

Distributor

Name

Open University Worldwide

Web

http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

+44 (0) 1908 274066

Address

Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA

Notes

NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk