In this reference section you can find out a bit of background about how data is used in practice by businesses and other users. You can also get some support with using Excel (and other spreadsheets) to analyse time series data, and find definitions for a wide range of data, statistics and economics and business definitions. Finally, why not have a look at statisticians through history. Some of the people who have used statistics as a tool may surprise you.

• Using data - an extensive section looking at the way data is used in business for measuring economic activity, market research, examining trends and conducting experiments.
• Excel Guide - a brief guide to help you to use Excel to analyse time series data.
• Glossary - a fully searchable glossary of data and statistical terms and economics, business and accounting definitions.
• Statisticians through history - a brief look at some of the key names in the history of statistics.

You can access these materials from anywhere in the site by using the links in the left-hand navigation bar.