Sign up for a statistics class at a local college or university. In addition, use your Web browser to check out some of the many valuable online resources, including an online version of the book "Statistical analysis simplified: the easy-to-understand guide to SPC and data analysis," written by H. James Harrington, Glen D. Hoffherr and Robert P. Reid. The book provides a clear easy-to-read explanation of how to do statistical analysis of numerical data.
Learn probability theory. The theory of probability, basically, comes down to calculating the likelihood a certain outcome will occur by dividing one possible outcome by the collection of all possible results. For example, if you toss a coin, the outcome is either a head or a tail. The collection of possible results, known as sample space, equals two. Therefore, the probability of either a head or a tail is 1/2, 0.5 or 50 percent.
Learn how to check data for errors. The easiest way to do that is to arrange the data in a two-dimensional graph and notice any outliers or other doubtful observations and double-check their validity. For example, if the data sample is in the range of 100 to 200 units, but there is also a value of 500, chances are that the number 500 is an error.
Learn different statistical tools. Among the most important and widely used statistical tools are regression analysis and correlation. Regression analysis allows you to create an equation that would represent the relationship of various variables. Correlation shows the degree to which one variable changes in response to a change in another variable.