Interpreting Statistics for Beginners

Book excerpt: Interpreting Statistics for Beginners teaches readers to correctly read and interpret results of basic statistical procedures as they are presented in scientific literature, and to understand what they can and cannot infer from such results. The first of its kind, this book explains key elements of scientific paradigms and philosophical concepts that the use of statistics is based on and introduces readers to basic statistical concepts, descriptive statistics and basic elements and procedures of inferential statistics. Explanations are accompanied with detailed examples from scientific publications to demonstrate how the procedures are used and correctly interpreted. Additionally, Interpreting Statistics for Beginners shows readers how to recognize pseudoscientific claims that use statistics or statements not based on the presented data, which is an important skill for every professional relying on statistics in their work. Written in an easy-to-read style and focusing on explaining concepts behind statistical calculations, the book is most helpful for readers with no previous training in statistics, and also those wishing to bridge the conceptual gap between doing the statistical calculations and interpreting the results.