The Tao of Statistics: A Path to Understanding

by Dana K. Keller

The Tao of A Path to Understanding (With No Math) provides a new approach to statistics in plain English. Unlike other introductions to statistics, this text explains what statistics mean and how they are used, rather than how to calculate them. The book walks readers through basic concepts, as well as some of the most complex statistical models in use. Professionals and college students who want to be informed about statistics but do not want to spend a lot of time learning to how compute them should not be without this volume.

Genres: Mathematics

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book comes under the heading of "math for English majors." It provides a good conceptual overview of statistics for those with a limited mathematics background. The author has traveled and taught for many years in China and Tibet, but he also has a PhD in statistics. The book balances Eastern philosophy with fundamental concepts from statistics. Each chapter is only 1-3 pages, so it is a good book to read in those spare moments of the day. Each chapter/concept is accompanied by an impressionistic drawing and a haiku. After reading this some will feel like they have had more than enough. Others may want to actually learn the math behind the concepts.

[Christer Karlsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Statistics described without a single line of math!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm kind of liking this so far- I feel at peace with my multiple regression analysis...

[Venkatesh-Prasad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glossary of statistics for the uninitiated

While I appreciate the author's attempt to make statistics accessible, I doubt they succeeded with only words and no calculations. As 'stats is about context and math', the treatment without math and illustrations of how stats could go wrong was a bit dry/route for my taste. At best, it serves as a glossary of stat terms and techniques for the uninitiated.

[Wendelle]

a short book that explains at length the various terminology of elementary statistics and exemplifies how two different people, a principal and a public health director, would apply statistics in the real world.

[Adrienne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really only understood the concepts that I knew the math behind. Did not work for me.

[Roxana]

Ugh

[Evelyn Waugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book very helpful for digesting a past semester's introduction to statistics class. During the class, the general consensus among my peers and I was that to be able to use the required formulas, with no actual concept of their meaning, was about as good as one could hope for (and was all that was needed for an A). You do not have to know what is going on with variance and Z-scores and P-values, as long as you can plug in the right numbers and do the algebra. Or just google the right Excel command. Thus, doing well in the course does not illustrate much understanding of the material. So I was not very satisfied with how much I took away from the class, and was excited when I stumbled upon this book.
This book is phenomenal in that it leaves math out of the equation (pun intended) and offers essential concepts in a simple way. The author alludes to the Tao, and integrates questions of morality, epistemology, bias and integrity of research, while never pushing any absolutist solutions on the reader. Actually, the fraudulence of absolutism in general seems to be a theme. The careful balance of ideas made me think of Lao Tzu.
While I do not identify as 'mathphobic,' I think this book could make a great supplement to a statistics course for one who 'hates numbers.' It may make all of the crunching of digits seem a little more meaningful.
If you thrive off literature rather than math (not to perpetuate a false dichotomy), this may be the bridge you need. The book illustrates some of the real poetry in the real world, the intrinsic mathematics in nature and society.
If this book does not manage to trigger a deep love for and awareness of statistics in you, it will at least equip you to deal with the charlatans of the world who depend on your statistical illiteracy to sell you baloney. So many seek to capitalize off your ignorance (*cough*alternative medicine*cough*), thus statistical literacy can be a vital economic investment.
Politically, if the field of statistics has any impact on decision making and policy in society (you be the judge of that one), then being up to date with statistics, even with just a superficial understanding, is pivotal to your ability to be an informed member of society.
All in all, I could not recommend this book enough. It even has pictures and meditative poems. What's not to love?

[Jocelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting perspective on the subject of Statistics. The format was quick 1 to 2 page chapters that contained explanations in layman's terms on each sub-topic with a real world example (without the involved math). If the vocabulary of Statistics is scaring you from learning more about how to use Stats or impeding your learning it, I'd highly recommend this title. It provides an overview in easy to understand terms.

[Dr Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice conceptual overview of the "why" of different statistics - clean, clear descriptions. Loved the memory "haiku" for each one.

It would have been even better with a few more practical examples of use (or tricky errors of common applications), but I can see sending students to their literature to look for such examples.

Really nice choice for students who are statistics-course-phobic or who are trying to execute analyses without understanding why they are making the choices they are.

[Lauretta]

a fun read for those so inclined

[Emily Barbera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was the first time I actually understood, appreciated, and was interested in statistics. A brilliant work

[Angeleyna Epperly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggle with all things number & math.

This helped understand SOME concepts for applied statistics, but seemed very ‘up in the air’ - meaning it didn’t really teach me anything.