Product Description

In the numbers explosion all around us in our modern–day dealings, the buzzword is data, as in, “Do you have any data to support your claim?” “The data supported the original hypothesis that . . .” and “The data bear this out. . . .” But the field of statistics is not just about data. Statistics is the entire process involved in gathering evidence to answer questions about the world, in cases where that evidence happens to be numerical data.

Statistics For Dummies is for everyone who wants to sort through and evaluate the incredible amount of statistical information that comes to them on a daily basis. (You know the stuff: charts, graphs, tables, as well as headlines that talk about the results of the latest poll, survey, experiment, or other scientific study.) This book arms you with the ability to decipher and make important decisions about statistical results, being ever aware of the ways in which people can mislead you with statistics. Get the inside scoop on number–crunching nuances, plus insight into how you can

• Determine the odds
• Calculate a standard score
• Find the margin of error
• Recognize the impact of polls
• Establish criteria for a good survey
• Make informed decisions about experiments

This down–to–earth reference is chock–full of real examples from real sources that are relevant to your everyday life: from the latest medical breakthroughs, crime studies, and population trends to surveys on Internet dating, cell phone use, and the worst cars of the millennium. Statistics For Dummies departs from traditional statistics texts, references, supplement books, and study guides in the following ways:

• Practical and intuitive explanations of statistical concepts, ideas, techniques, formulas, and calculations.
• Clear and concise step–by–step procedures that intuitively explain how to work through statistics problems.
• Upfront and honest answers to your questions like, “What does this really mean?” and “When and how I will ever use this?”

Chances are, Statistics For Dummies will be your No. 1 resource for discovering how numerical data figures into your corner of the universe.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15501 in Books
• Published on: 2003-09-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Review
"…it would certainly help many students, particularly those on service courses, to grasp the concepts and see the wider picture." (MSOR Newsletter, September 2007)

Review
"…it would certainly help many students, particularly those on service courses, to grasp the concepts and see the wider picture." (MSOR Newsletter, September 2007)

From the Back Cover
Work through real–world problems

From mean to median to probability – understand the terms and crunch the numbers with ease

Stymied by statistics? No fear – this friendly guide offers clear, practical explanations of statistical ideas, techniques, formulas, and calculations, with lots of examples that show how these concepts apply to your everyday life. You’ll see how to take the margin of error out of opinion polls and how to analyze and interpret data for improved classroom or on–the–job performance.

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear–out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

Discover how to:

• Interpret and critique graphs and charts
• Determine the odds with probability
• Guesstimate with confidence using confidence intervals
• Set up and carry out a hypothesis test
• Compute statistical formulas

Customer Reviews

A straightforward guide to the fundamentals of statistics
As software author with over 12 years experience in the industry I utilize facts and figures on a daily basis. Comprehensive, precise and accurate data is essential in my work and moreover the understanding of the methods involved achieving this information.
Approximately one year ago I was at a complete loss on a problematic report I was developing in a peace of software, a co-worker recommended I read the Statistics for Dummies and lent me his book. That evening I glanced over the book to quickly locate exactly what was required. The following morning I solved the problem within 30 minutes. I was so taken back with the transparency of the descriptions and straightforwardness of the explanations in the book I acquired a copy for myself on Amazon that very week.
This book lives not on the shelf but on my desk at hand with a select few.
I am at this time here on Amazon looking to acquire a further copy to exchange my original paperback which is now a little scruffy so while here I thought a quick review was well warranted.
Final note, if you’re a student or an accountant, an educator or a developer or anyone whom needs to use statistics I highly recommend this book to you.
Statistics are actuality extremely straightforward when explained by someone who truly understands them such as Deborah Rumsey the author of this excellent and easy to understand book.

Too much repeat
I needed a good refershing course about statistics, but this Dummies does not reach it. It is vastly incoherent, trying to make each chapter self-readable with little reference to the previous chapters. As a consequence, there is little structure and too much repeat. It also describes each formula in great detail, at the expense of major points of interests, like quality review, which would deserve a greater focus on practical examples.