Making Sense of Data in the Media - by Andrew Bell & Todd Hartman & Aneta Piekut & Alasdair Rae & Mark Taylor (Paperback)

Number of Pages: 272
Genre: Social Science
Sub-Genre: Research
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd
Age Range: Adult
Author: Andrew Bell & Todd Hartman & Aneta Piekut & Alasdair Rae & Mark Taylor
Featured book lists: Textbooks
Language: English

About the Book

Through a series of examples of statistics in the media, this book shows you how to critically assess the presentation of data in the media, to identify what is significant and to sort verifiable conclusions from misleading claims.

Book Synopsis

"There are two ways to learn about statistics. You could endure pages of maths and formulae, or you could learn from informative case studies exploring how, when and why data is used well or badly in today's society. I prefer the second option. Happily, the authors do too." - Richard Harris, University of Bristol

This is not your typical statistics textbook.

The amount of data produced by and presented in the media has never been greater. But can we trust what we are being shown? In an age of fake news, how can you understand what data is real, misleading, or simply plain wrong?

This book shows you how to critically evaluate the data you see in the media. It weaves everyday real-life examples with statistical concepts in a way that makes statistics come alive. No complex equations, no overly technical language.

This isn't just learning the techniques needed to pass a stats course. This is a book for anyone who reads (or writes) the news, watches adverts, or goes on the Internet. It will give you tools and knowledge you can apply every day to make sense of the use, and misuse, of data in the media.

Review Quotes

There are two ways to learn about statistics. You could endure pages of maths, formulae and words that are, literally, 'so last century' (or more). Or you could learn from informative case studies exploring how, when and why data are used well or badly in today's society. I prefer the second option; happily, the authors do too.--Richard Harris

This excellent new book goes beyond the familiar fundamental concepts of statistics to cover the vital, but often neglected issues of place and time. It is essential reading for students who want to understand the use and misuse of numbers.--Robert de Vries

What a timely book. In a world drowning in data we all need to know how to critically evaluate the numbers we confront every day. This book will help you ask those all-important questions and demystify statistics. From 'is that a lot?' to 'is that possible?' the authors guide you through statistical techniques that are easy to understand and simple to apply. Read it, learn the techniques and use them to become a critical data consumer.--Jackie Carter