Product Description

This book is written for anyone who needs or wants to know how statistics work. It assumes no expert knowledge, and teaches through words and diagrams rather than through figures, formulae and equations - providing the perfect approach for the non-mathematical reader. Written as a "tutorial in print", Derek Rowntree includes questions in his argument; readers can answer them as they go, enabling them to measure their performance and judge how far they have mastered the subject.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16347 in Books
• Published on: 2000-05-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

About the Author
Derek Rowntree has qualifications in Economics and Education as well as a higher doctorate awarded for his contribution to developing open and distance learning. He has worked in industry as well as in schools, colleges and universities in the UK and abroad. For some years, he has been Professor of Education Development at the Open University, where he takes particular interest in vocational education.

Customer Reviews

Absolutely bloody brilliant!
I've been struggling to get my head around the concepts underlying statistics and always started getting confused when weird equations get thrown in all over the place. This book has transformed in an afternoon my understanding of statistics and the way in which this major influence in large areas of study and life actually works.

If you struggle with statistics but need to know and understand the principles of how they work this book will really, really help.

An excellent intro
If you're not at ease with stats, this is the book for you. It takes you right from the very beginning, covering all the things you'd like to know but felt too self-conscious to ask about. Questions intersperse the text so that you can test yourself and make sure you've understood the material. The style is friendly and engaging without being patronising -you really get the impression that Rowntree genuinely wants you to develop a good understanding and love of statistics. It’s actually an enjoyable read!
Not for those wanting a book covering advanced statistics, but an excellent introduction for anyone intimidated by maths and a good refresher for those who haven't touched on the topic in years.
I recommend it wholeheartedly.

Excellent, non-technical primer - and refresher
I've now "done" stats as part of two separate undergraduate psychology courses and one post-graduate one. I read this book before I started and I still keep coming back to it.

It doesn't replace the texts that tell you how to carry out the calculations and apply them to a specific discipline, but it is excellent for explaining the fundamentals, and for reminding you what it is that you're trying to achieve.