Unravelling digital ambiguity in the data space… A specialised scientific seminar at Diyala University provides an in-depth reading of the essence of dispersion measures
The Faculty of Basic Education at the University of Diyala – Arabic Language Department, in collaboration with the Continuing Education Division and in coordination with the Media and Government Communication Division, held a specialised scientific seminar entitled: ‘Measures of Dispersion: Their Concept, Types, and How to Calculate Them.’
The seminar, presented by Assistant Professor Dr. Suad Musa Yaqoub, aimed to clarify the pivotal role of dispersion measures in statistical analysis and highlight their importance in accurately reading data and interpreting the level of variation between values, thereby supporting the construction of sound scientific results in academic research.
The seminar included a discussion of four themes The first theme presented the statistical concept of measures of dispersion and their importance in measuring the extent of data deviation from the mean. The second topic discussed the types of measures of dispersion, including range, mean deviation, variance, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation, with an explanation of the characteristics of each. The third topic reviewed how to calculate measures of dispersion through practical examples that help students understand the calculation steps accurately. The fourth topic concluded with ways to use measures of dispersion in educational and humanities research and how to employ them in analysing scientific results.
The symposium recommended the need to strengthen the practical aspect of educational statistics courses through ongoing workshops. It also encouraged students to use measures of dispersion in their research projects to ensure the accuracy of scientific analysis. In addition, it recommended including real-life examples from the educational environment in lectures to link theory with practice. It also recommended providing modern educational resources and supporting the use of statistical software in the college.
The symposium concluded with a discussion session on the topic, in which participants asked a series of questions and inquiries that contributed to broadening their understanding of the topic of dispersion measures, emphasising the importance of including such scientific seminars in the college’s annual programmes, thereby enhancing the academic and research path of both students and teachers.
The topic of the seminar is in line with the fourth Sustainable Development Goal (quality education), by supporting the development of students’ statistical skills and research capabilities and enhancing the quality of higher education.