Using Statistics: A Gentle Introduction

by Gordon Rugg

A lot of students have to learn some statistics as part of their degree. Students in this situation usually find statistics stressful, difficult, and difficult to relate to the rest of their degree. This book is intended to help students in this situation. It explains how statistics can be used as a helpful tool. It describes the key concepts of statistics, and how statistics are used; it's written in clear, accessible language, with numerous examples and illustrative anecdotes, and it's centred around the reader, not around the statistics.

Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Gordon Rugg is a former timberyard worker and English lecturer turned field archaeologist. His PhD was in Psychology, on attitude theory; he then worked in Artificial Intelligence, moving from there to information retrieval and then software engineering for safety-critical systems. His current research includes a collaboration with a NASA researcher looking for life on other planets, and research into ancient technologies.

Reviews

[Lenka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful for further explanations, definitions, examples etc. for my research report. Also funny and references to H.P. Lovecraft! Very gentle intro indeed, thank you.

[srinivas C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good introductory book in a distinct style where jest, seriousness and meaning (the 'why') go hand in hand. It is also quite broad, so one gets a good background on applicability of Statistics. However, the only place where it is found wanting (for an introductory book) is some depth. My surmise is that most people will not be able to interpret Statistics, let alone analyse data independently, just based on reading this book, and indeed that might not be the intention. An important impediment to the understanding of Statistical textbooks, is the lack of a visible bridge between the real world, and the material within the books as the quickly move on to mathematical formulations. These are actually connected to real world issues, but it isn't obvious unless one reads books like this one. It is easy reading, focused on using Statistics for research, slightly digressive in a entertaining manner and yet the good sense of Statistics and understanding shine through.
A more serious book, which is less broad, but with a slant on understanding the core subject topics is Derek Rowntree's 'Statistics without tears'. I recommend reading both these books by themselves in any order or parallelly. In case you are undertaking - and an undertaking it is - a course on Statistics, the main recommended textbook, should be preceded by one of these. Both are easy reading and it will make much of the course meaningful and enjoyable. It is common for this beautiful and crucial subject to be taught most awfully.