Statistical: Ten Easy Ways to Avoid Being Misled By Numbers

by Anthony Reuben

Every day we are bombarded by numbers about politics, economics, health and the environment. This concise introduction by the BBC’s first head of statistics helps clarify the data and decide whether it presents a true picture. It explains the difference between a mean and a medium, correlation and causation, how to evaluate surveys and opinion polls, and the alarm-bell phrases to be wary of.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

240 pages, Paperback

Published April 16, 2020

Reviews

[Adelyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be the book with the fastest bought-to-read time for me: I bought this on a whim while visiting a bookstore at lunchtime and finished it by bedtime. Definitely goes to the top of my list of recommended reading if I ever have any students of my own – before any reading about the background of the project as understanding statistics and knowing the different ways that data can be presented (along with their associated limitations) is so important for forming an opinion about the numbers that are being shown. Written in such an accessible manner it almost sounds like a common sense narrative, but it’s nice to have simple concepts (often assumed to be understood, when often they are not) explained simply with accessible examples. Plus, this was extended to show how sleights of hand can be applied to the data to show completely contrasting messages, and how the narrative can often be shaped either way. 5 stars.

[Chelsea R.H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good, despite its rather dry title and cover. Anthony Reuben is a statistician working for BBC's fact checking department, Reality Checkers and in the first chapter he introduces us to the concept "is this reasonably likely to be true?" which I will now be asking myself for the rest of my life whenever I see some fearmongering statistics on Facebook. It was written in a very easy to understand format, the prose was very conversational and humourous and the (real life) examples were hilariously bizarre.
Overall, I definitely recommend this book if you want to understand the percentages, averages and correlation statistics that surround us on the news and social media.

[Oleg · Rating 2 out of 5]

To set the context, I bought this book expecting it to be similar to Freakonomics and other “pop economics” books. Unfortunately, I found it too much a “for dummies” reading.

The book targets a laymen audience, who is afraid of math, and is very very basic in nature, eg. it explains on 5 pages how to calculate percentages…. It hits all the right topics like sample bias, average vs. median, absolute vs. percentage change, etc. but belabors everything to the nth detail with relatively uninteresting stories. The writing is clear and easy to read.

Make sure the book is right for you before you pick it up.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very accessible guide to assessing numbers in the news. Gives the layperson easy tools for looking behind the headlines and deciding whether statistics are trustworthy. I will always now think “Is it reasonably likely to be true?” before being horrified by a headline number. Highly recommended in the current coronavirus pandemic for taking stock of the baffling array of statistics that every news bulletin gives us.

[bbysharks · Rating 3 out of 5]

first off, this review was written by a Computer Engineering student from Thailand

I think this book is really crucial especially when our society is moving into big data stuff. There are lots of numbers, BIG numbers everywhere around us and this book is just what we need.

This book is a great reminder for all of us, to rethink before believing in any stats. The writer explains the concept in an easy way, you don't have to love maths to enjoy this book :-D

why I deducted stars - As an Asian, I find it hard to understand many references or news mentioned in the book since they are UK-based, it makes me become less engaged. UK readers would really enjoy them tho. As an engineering student who take stats class, the concept is explained in a less confusing way, which is reallyyyy great, I just wish some parts were explained deeper/properly :-)

[Monzenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's four stars with the caveat that a lot of the topics it will discuss are quite basic for someone with a math background. They're still useful, which is why it gets higher than three stars, just not that interesting for me, which is why it gets lower than five stars. I can see the value in this relatively short book.

[Samuli Koponen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oiva katsaus siihen, mitä numeroiden takana on. Kirja opettaa suhtautumaan kriittisesti esim. lehdissä esitettyihin numeroihin ja näyttää paikoin loistavienkin esimerkkien avulla, mikä kaikki voi yhden numeron takana olla pielessä.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this book - YES. Thank you for putting to laymen’s terms difficult topics.

[Christophe Bousquet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for an introduction on how to interpret statistical figures without being a statistician

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for anyone needing to understand statistics for a course