Page 17 - Statistics for Dummies

Introduction
Y
ou get hit with an incredible amount of statistical information on a daily
basis. You know what I’m talking about: charts, graphs, tables, and head-
lines that talk about the results of the latest poll, survey, experiment, or other
scientific study. The purpose of this book is to develop and sharpen your skills
in sorting through, analyzing, and evaluating all that info, and to do so in a clear,
fun, and pain-free way. You also gain the ability to decipher and make important
decisions about statistical results (for example, the results of the latest medical
studies), while being ever aware of the ways that people can mislead you with
statistics. And you see how to do it right when it’s your turn to design the study,
collect the data, crunch the numbers, and/or draw the conclusions.
This book is also designed to help those of you out there who are taking an
introductory statistics class and can use some back-up. You’ll gain a working
knowledge of the big ideas of statistics and gather a boatload of tools and tricks
of the trade that’ll help you get ahead of the curve when you take your exams.
This book 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 the latest U.S. government reports. I even address
a survey on the worst cars of the millennium! By reading this book, you’ll
understand how to collect, display, and analyze data correctly and effec-
tively, and you’ll be ready to critically examine and make informed decisions
about the latest polls, surveys, experiments, and reports that bombard you
every day. You even find out how to use crickets to gauge temperature!
You also get to enjoy poking a little fun at statisticians (who take themselves
too seriously at times). After all, with the right skills and knowledge, you
don’t have to be a statistician to understand introductory statistics.
About This Book

This book departs from traditional statistics texts, references, supplemental
books, and study guides in the following ways:

✓ It includes practical and intuitive explanations of statistical concepts,
ideas, techniques, formulas, and calculations found in an introductory
statistics course.
✓ It shows you clear and concise step-by-step procedures that explain how
you can intuitively work through statistics problems.

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