# Recommend a good book about statistics, please **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 21, 2006, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613 "2006-09-21T20:39:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613/1 "2006-09-21T20:39:03Z")
There comes a time in every young woman’s life when she must confront her destiny and actually write her damn thesis. Unfortunately, mathematics and I parted company years ago and my understanding of statistics is beyond dismal. I’ll be sitting on a huge pile of raw data and no clue of what to do with it. So, mathematically inclined Dopers (which I assume is everyone but me), please recommend a good basic primer of statistics that will make everything clear, or at least clear enough that I won’t make an ass of myself to my thesis committee. Thanks! Robin (Mods, please move if you deem appropriate. It’s in CS because I’m asking for book recommendations.) ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613/2 "2006-09-21T20:58:38Z")
If you’re not mathematically inclined, I’m not sure if this is your best bet. But I’ve worn the binding on my copy of Phiip R. Bevington’s **Data Reduction and Error Analysis for the Physical Sciences**. Not complete, by any means (as I’ve learned over the years), but plenty of useful basic stuff and a good intro for anyone having to reduce data and analyze results. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613/3 "2006-09-21T21:18:41Z")
[" How to lie with statistics"](http://www.amazon.com/How-Lie-Statistics-Darrell-Huff/dp/0393310728) is a classic. You read it in half a day. It is well written, a fun read, and it teaches all the basics of applied statistics. ---
**Author:** ![Kakofonous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9a140/32.png) [@Kakofonous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kakofonous)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613/4 "2006-09-21T21:26:13Z")
The Schuam’s Outline of Statistics is actually pretty good with the added advantage of being cheap. I don’t know how it would be if you were really unfamiliar with statistics, though. There are a ton of stats textbooks out there that are more or less equal. Many of them are Statistics for \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ where the blank is, say, business applications, medical applications, social sciences, physical sciences, biology, etc. They all contain the same content but the example problems tend to be taylored to a particular audience, which can be helpful for someone struggling to understand the concepts. On preview, I see someone mentioned the ‘How To Lie…’ book. That would also be good - especially if you’re trying to figure out how to best summarize your data. I don’t have my copy here, but I don’t think it has much about how to actually go about computing things. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613/5 "2006-09-21T21:54:32Z")
What kind of data do you have, and what are you trying to do with it? ---
**Author:** ![Caridwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@Caridwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caridwen)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613/6 "2006-09-21T22:00:52Z")
Is there a community college near you that maybe you could audit an Intro to Statistics class, or if you talk to the prof. they might even let you sit in on? I’m actually pretty good at math and have taken a lot of math courses, but statistics and I didn’t get along! I would have had a hard time trying to teach myself statistics from reading a book. Other people I’ve talked to found it easy, so maybe it was just me. Maybe if you post what your trying to do, someone here can help you get started. I have a couple statistics books and I’d be willing to give you some help if I can. Someone on another message board I post at used to give me little tutoring sessions when I was pulling my hair out and it really helped me. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613/7 "2006-09-21T22:06:54Z")
[QUOTE=Kakofonous] The Schuam’s Outline of Statistics is actually pretty good with the added advantage of being cheap. [/QUOTE] Most of the Schaum’s Outlines are pretty good, at least for fundamentals and problem solving. I haven’t reviewed [The Cartoon Guide To Statistics](http://www.amazon.com/Cartoon-Guide-Statistics-Larry-Gonick/dp/0062731025) but the ones for physics and chemistry were actually pretty good. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613/8 "2006-09-22T11:54:09Z")
Sorry about the delay in responding; I’m crazy busy right now. I’m writing a thesis on communication using content analysis. I know how to gather the data, but I’m not sure what to do with it once I have it. I’m not sure which tests will give me which information. I’m looking for a basic reference guide that will help me figure that out. Thanks, Robin ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613/9 "2006-09-22T13:54:07Z")
In general, statistics textbooks are good references, but if you need to work in a specific field, you’re far better off getting a text in that field. If you don’t already have a content analysis book, I’ve seen [this one](http://www.amazon.com/Analyzing-Media-Messages-Quantitative-Communication/dp/0805852980/sr=1-1/qid=1158932950/ref=sr_1_1/104-0130187-7147160?ie=UTF8&s=books) recommended in reviews for a couple other books, so it might be worth checking out. That’s not to say that having a statistics book is a bad idea. I’ll second the Schaum’s series, as they’re very cheap and walk you through solving a lot of problems. And if you have any specific questions about how to get information out of data, GQ is a great place to have those answered. ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613/10 "2006-09-22T15:57:07Z")
[QUOTE=MsRobyn] Sorry about the delay in responding; I’m crazy busy right now. I’m writing a thesis on communication using content analysis. I know how to gather the data, but I’m not sure what to do with it once I have it. I’m not sure which tests will give me which information. I’m looking for a basic reference guide that will help me figure that out. Thanks, Robin [/QUOTE] As a Prof who mentors master’s level students, I am curious if you had to propose your thesis yet. If so, didn’t you ahve to propose your analyses? If you did not yet propose, how do you have data to analyze. Stats are generally simple and straight-forward. Certain stats are appropriate for for cartain types of data (nominal/ordinal/interval/ratio) and for different designs (within-subjects/between-groups). I recommend you first define your variables, and operationalize them, then meet with your committee members and discuss what it is you are hypothesizing. The stats should flow from each hypothesis. For example: Hyp: I hypothesize that males will show higher math scores than females. IV: Gender - 2 levels, Male, Female DV: Math scores, as measured by SAT math subscale scores Analysis: Independent samples t-test I know this is a basic example, but every hypothesis you have should be supported with operationally defined variables, and the stats are simply a matter of what is appropriate. Simplified: Multiple DVs = MANOVA Multiple IVs = Factorial Design ANOVA Non-equivalent groups = Possible use of covariate Predicting one variable from others = multiple regression Predicting group membership = discriminant analysis etc… ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613/11 "2006-09-22T16:02:58Z")
**phungi** , I’m writing my research proposal right now. Part of what my committee wants is pilot data which needs to be analyzed. I’ve got the hypothesis, and it’s operationalized. A big part of my problem is that the research course I took was kinda light on statistics and analysis. We’re using SPSS for the actual math and stuff, so I don’t need to know how to use the formulae. I just don’t know which tests to run for what. Robin ---
**Author:** ![Scribble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scribble/32/3317_2.png) [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613/12 "2006-09-22T22:18:23Z")
MsRobyn– Best of luck with your analysis. I’m working on my analysis, myself. My field is very different from yours, and I’d make a pretty big bet that my analysis will use completely different techniques (I’ve got an ANOVA, a biodiversity index, and an ordination method to get done.) I don’t use SPSS. I’m using SAS and Canoco. Still, when I was looking for a good text to help me out, I was recommended [this one](http://www.amazon.com/Discovering-Statistics-Introducing-Statistical-Methods/dp/0761944524/sr=1-1/qid=1158963250/ref=sr_1_1/104-4015102-6020715?ie=UTF8&s=books) many, many times. Maybe it would be a good resource for you. ---
**Author:** ![Tierce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@Tierce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tierce)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2019, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613/13 "2019-04-14T18:55:26Z")
Bumping because I have basically the same question that **MsRobyn** had. I too have a thesis of sorts to write, and I expect it to need some statistical analysis work. I don’t have the time or inclination to read a complete statistics textbook, and I know I can use something like R to do the heavy lifting, but a basic primer on statistics would help me understand what questions to ask R. I’ll check out the references above; anything else good (book or website) come out in the last 12 years? ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2019, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613/14 "2019-04-15T15:06:52Z")
Hands down, the best practical guide to scientific statistical analysis is “[The Statistical Analysis of Experimental Data](https://www.amazon.com/Statistical-Analysis-Experimental-Dover-Mathematics/dp/0486646661)”. It has tons of practical advice on how to analyze different data sets for a wide variety of purposes. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2019, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613/15 "2019-04-15T16:09:31Z")
**MsRobyn** , what did you end up doing with your huge pile of raw data? Did any of the books that anyone recommended, or any other books or resources, turn out to be useful? ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2019, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613/16 "2019-04-15T17:04:04Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > **MsRobyn** , what did you end up doing with your huge pile of raw data? Did any of the books that anyone recommended, or any other books or resources, turn out to be useful? My thesis topic was declared moot because there was nothing to study. I ended up doing a qualitative project instead. ---
**Author:** ![mcgato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mcgato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcgato)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2019, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613/17 "2019-04-15T17:09:20Z")
When I was in grad school, the statistics department had a person (or persons) whose job was to consult with non-statisticians on their data analysis issues. You may want to check with your statistics department (assuming your school has one) and see if they have such a resource. ---
**Author:** ![Tierce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@Tierce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tierce)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2019, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613/18 "2019-04-16T00:44:11Z")
> [@mcgato](#): > > When I was in grad school, the statistics department had a person (or persons) whose job was to consult with non-statisticians on their data analysis issues. You may want to check with your statistics department (assuming your school has one) and see if they have such a resource. Alas, I’m not at school. This is work/professional development related… ---
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2019, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613/19 "2019-04-16T01:05:15Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > My thesis topic was declared moot because there was nothing to study. I ended up doing a qualitative project instead. Best content/sig combination evah! ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2019, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613/20 "2019-04-16T02:54:32Z")
Nowadays, you might also look at online courses offered through [Coursera](https://www.coursera.org/) and [edX](https://www.edx.org/). There are offered at the undergrad and maybe grad level. You generally watch video lectures and there are usually assignments and quizzes/tests. I’ve taken some of the R-based ones. For, example: [Statistics with R Specialization](https://www.coursera.org/specializations/statistics) > [@](#): > > In this Specialization, you will learn to analyze and visualize data in R and create reproducible data analysis reports, demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the unified nature of statistical inference, perform frequentist and Bayesian statistical inference and modeling to understand natural phenomena and make data-based decisions, communicate statistical results correctly, effectively, and in context without relying on statistical jargon, critique data-based claims and evaluated data-based decisions, and wrangle and visualize data with R packages for data analysis. You can audit the courses for free. Some companies may even pay for the classes. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-book-about-statistics-please/373613.md?page=2)