Statistics: A Spectator Sport

by Richard M. Jaeger

Book Overview

An invaluable work for people who need to understand statistics and utilize their results. The book is not technical; its purpose is to teach the reader how to understand and apply statistics. Most of the examples are from education, but people in all fields using statistics will find this book indispensable. Written with great clarity, this is a first-rate statistics book for the non-statistician.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0803934211
• ISBN13: 9780803934214
• Release Date: July 1990
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Statistics: A spectator sport

This was recommended to me by my advisor as I prepare for my Ph.D. comps. It is a thorough review of statistics, and has made my review of statistics and methodology much more effective and organized.

As a student, it made the difference...

...between simply regurgitating what I needed on the exams, and understanding the subject. I borrowed a friend's copy, and suddenly statistics, the Big Problem course for me, became fun.Now I work in a field where I crunch a lot of numbers, and I could recite the ideas in this book in my sleep. I still keep a copy on hand for two reasons:1) I'm often called on to expain my conclusions in "layman's terms" (yikes!). Jaeger's presentation is thorough and clear; I re-read his passages to remind myself how to say things clearly.2) I also often work with people who are over-educated in some endevours, but badly under-educated in statistics. They're often using numbers to make decisions, and using them clumsily. I lend them Jaeger, with a stern warning that if I don't get it back in a timely fashion, there will be dire consequences (I give them about 2 weeks - usually enough for them to decide they need their own copy).So, if... 1) you need to crunch numbers but think you hate statistics, or2) you are a student, and you think you hate your statistics coursework, or3) you're having trouble explaining things to people who think they hate statisticsget this book (there are probably lots of other reasons I've omitted).

You Say You Want A Revolution. . . . . .

Jaeger's book is the standard bearer to the "Statistical Revolution." That is, Statistics made fun and easy. The drudgery of laboring over ponderous Statistics books is gone!Jaeger's book is an absolute must for those people who simply want to understand statistics; as they appear in various business and government reports, polls, and professional research papers. Jaeger proves that you don't have to fill your head with a bunch of equations and Greek letters to understand and appreciate the beauty of statistics. In reality, as Jaeger so expertly points out, Statistics is a straight forward subject that has been misused, abused, and poorly taught throughout the ages. This book does not teach you how to compute statistics. Why should it? Any electronic spreadsheet worth its salt can calculate the most cumbersome of equations with a single key stroke! Therefore, unlike other books on statistics, this book contains absolutely no equations and a minimum of Greek letters. This book's primary focus is on teaching the "user" of statistical information what statistics are, what they mean, and how to use and interpret them appropriately.The first six chapters in this book focus on descriptive statistics -- such as the measures of central tendency, graphical and tabular presentation of data, disbursement of data about the mean (standard deviation and range), and other similar topics. Chapters 7 through 14 discuss inferential statistics -- such as analysis of variance and hypothesis testing. Chapter 15 addresses advanced topics, such as regression models and forecasting. If you want to be a "producer" of statistics, then this is not the book for you -- look elsewhere! However, if you are in a position where you are presented statistical data to help you make an informed decision, then; by all means, buy this book immediately. This book is ideal for managers in private industry and government agencies who live and die by statistical data -- such as people supervising production, training, quality control, or a method improvement / efficiency cell. This book is also good for military leaders to help them understand and discuss the statistics presented in readiness issues, mobilization topics, and unit readiness. I strongly recommend this book. As a matter of fact, this book will make great reading to accompany the Standard Deviants tapes on statistics. Buy this book! You will never look at statistical data quite the same way again. You will become an "abuser" of statistics worst nightmare -- someone knowledgeable enough to understand and challenge his data. Excellent book. . . .Well worth the price!