Read Online Is That a Fact? A Field Guide for Evaluating Statistical and Scientific Information Mark Battersby Books

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We are inundated by scientific and statistical information, but what should we believe? How much should we trust the polls on the latest electoral campaign? When a physician tells us that a diagnosis of cancer is 90% certain or a scientist informs us that recent studies support global warming, what should we conclude? How can we acquire reliable statistical information? Once we have it, how do we evaluate it? Despite the importance of these questions to our lives, many of us have only a vague idea of how to answer them. In this admirably clear and engaging book, Mark Battersby provides a practical guide to thinking critically about scientific and statistical information. The goal of the book is not only to explain how to identify misleading statistical information, but also to give readers the understanding necessary to evaluate and use statistical and statistically based scientific information in their own decision making.

Read Online Is That a Fact? A Field Guide for Evaluating Statistical and Scientific Information Mark Battersby Books

"Is That a Fact? by Mark Battersby is a very well-written and well-organized piece of writing about critical thinking of statistics. Battersby’s style is very similar to that of, Asking the Right Questions, by M. Neil Browne and Stuart M. Keeley in the fact that there is a repetitive format for all of the chapters in each of the books. Battersby’s guide to statistical and scientific information is informative while also enjoyable to read.
Battersby’s guide is about how to analyze statistical information and through critical thinking methods, decide whether the statistics support the claim, or not. Each chapter is about some form of statistics, whether it is polling, graphs or sampling and is followed by examples and a series of two to three critical thinking questions. This formatting allows the reader to be interactive with the book. Being given a real-life example of something can really help to solidify a concept in the readers mind.
There are questions following the breakdown of the topic, which encourage the reader to apply what they are learning while they read. This structuring of information is a very effective way to prepare the reader for application of the information they are learning in the real world. For example, in chapter 3, Polling: The Basics, Battersby gives an example of a poll about “Kyoto.” He then proceeds to ask the two big questions, “What is being claimed?” and “How good is the evidence?” Battersby explains, “The way the question is worded is one of the first things to look at in assessing how good the evidence for a poll’s claim is” (Battersby 25). The writing and the layout of this book are at a level that seems to be directed at the general public; Battersby avoids using jargon that may deter the readers from grasping the concept completely.
One more technique that should be appreciated about Battersby’s writing is his fluidity. Battersby has mastered the concept that fluidity is key when trying to successfully convey a message to a reader. Battersbys’ use of footnotes allows the reader to finish one train of thought before seeking out another. If there is a topic that may have some discrepancy or may be unclear, Battersby has provided a footnote in order to further explain or clarify said topic.
Although one of Battersby’s main points is to not put too much emphasis on personal stories, testimonies, or anecdotes, Battersby uses numerous personal stories in his book. In his first footnote on page 2, he gives his disclaimer about his use of stories. “Throughout the text I advise against putting too much reliance on stories and anecdotes, but here I am giving an anecdote in aid of my argument. Hypocrisy? Not really. Anecdotes are memorable and edifying. They have a role to play in explanation and instruction. Anecdotes are a problem only when they are used as evidence for a sweeping generalization. However, here I am not using the story as evidence of a generalization but as an illustration” (Battersby 2). The fact that Battersby provided this disclaimer to his readers gives him reliability and accountability. It is clear he wants his readers to feel as though they can and should trust the information he is giving them.
Battersby’s writing is completely the opposite of credulous. The entire purpose of his book is to encourage people to be more skeptical of the scientific and statistical information they are receiving from the media. He wants to equip the general public with the skills necessary to think critically and make informed decisions about the information portrayed in the media. All too often, people assume someone who makes a claim with out any valid proof to be correct because of their authority or because they are inexperienced in that particular area. It is Battersby’s goal to remind us that just because something may sound accurate, doesn’t mean it is. Battersby provides the essential skills in this book to prepare the reader to dig deeper and not just believe something because it sounds right.
This book has been written in order to apply to a very general group of people. Battersby covers the topic of using critical thinking to analyze the often-confusing world of probability and statistics that the popular press and media portrays to us daily. In order to make these puzzling subjects applicable to the general public, he uses everyday issues such as cell-phone use and the health hazards created by tobacco. Also, in order to further simplify some of the more complicated subjects such as making educated causal inferences, Battersby provides charts and illustrations in order to clarify his descriptions, such as the graph on page 149.
A notable and defining feature about this book is Battersby’s talent of not only telling and showing the reader how to rationalize and evaluate the plethora of deceiving information produced by the media on a daily basis, but also his ability to prepare the reader to do it on their own.
Overall, this book should be read by everyone because is it a necessity to gain the knowledge and ability to comprehend the massive amount of misleading information sent to the public through the various forms of media. This book is the perfect option for anyone in any field of work who is searching to gain a better grasp of the world around them and attain a better understanding of the decisions they make."

Product details Paperback 240 pages Publisher Broadview Press (December 3, 2009) Language English ISBN-10 1551115875

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Is That a Fact? A Field Guide for Evaluating Statistical and Scientific Information Mark Battersby Books Reviews :

Is That a Fact? A Field Guide for Evaluating Statistical and Scientific Information Mark Battersby Books Reviews

• Is That a Fact? by Mark Battersby is a very well-written and well-organized piece of writing about critical thinking of statistics. Battersby’s style is very similar to that of, Asking the Right Questions, by M. Neil Browne and Stuart M. Keeley in the fact that there is a repetitive format for all of the chapters in each of the books. Battersby’s guide to statistical and scientific information is informative while also enjoyable to read.
  Battersby’s guide is about how to analyze statistical information and through critical thinking methods, decide whether the statistics support the claim, or not. Each chapter is about some form of statistics, whether it is polling, graphs or sampling and is followed by examples and a series of two to three critical thinking questions. This formatting allows the reader to be interactive with the book. Being given a real-life example of something can really help to solidify a concept in the readers mind.
  There are questions following the breakdown of the topic, which encourage the reader to apply what they are learning while they read. This structuring of information is a very effective way to prepare the reader for application of the information they are learning in the real world. For example, in chapter 3, Polling The Basics, Battersby gives an example of a poll about “Kyoto.” He then proceeds to ask the two big questions, “What is being claimed?” and “How good is the evidence?” Battersby explains, “The way the question is worded is one of the first things to look at in assessing how good the evidence for a poll’s claim is” (Battersby 25). The writing and the layout of this book are at a level that seems to be directed at the general public; Battersby avoids using jargon that may deter the readers from grasping the concept completely.
  One more technique that should be appreciated about Battersby’s writing is his fluidity. Battersby has mastered the concept that fluidity is key when trying to successfully convey a message to a reader. Battersbys’ use of footnotes allows the reader to finish one train of thought before seeking out another. If there is a topic that may have some discrepancy or may be unclear, Battersby has provided a footnote in order to further explain or clarify said topic.
  Although one of Battersby’s main points is to not put too much emphasis on personal stories, testimonies, or anecdotes, Battersby uses numerous personal stories in his book. In his first footnote on page 2, he gives his disclaimer about his use of stories. “Throughout the text I advise against putting too much reliance on stories and anecdotes, but here I am giving an anecdote in aid of my argument. Hypocrisy? Not really. Anecdotes are memorable and edifying. They have a role to play in explanation and instruction. Anecdotes are a problem only when they are used as evidence for a sweeping generalization. However, here I am not using the story as evidence of a generalization but as an illustration” (Battersby 2). The fact that Battersby provided this disclaimer to his readers gives him reliability and accountability. It is clear he wants his readers to feel as though they can and should trust the information he is giving them.
  Battersby’s writing is completely the opposite of credulous. The entire purpose of his book is to encourage people to be more skeptical of the scientific and statistical information they are receiving from the media. He wants to equip the general public with the skills necessary to think critically and make informed decisions about the information portrayed in the media. All too often, people assume someone who makes a claim with out any valid proof to be correct because of their authority or because they are inexperienced in that particular area. It is Battersby’s goal to remind us that just because something may sound accurate, doesn’t mean it is. Battersby provides the essential skills in this book to prepare the reader to dig deeper and not just believe something because it sounds right.
  This book has been written in order to apply to a very general group of people. Battersby covers the topic of using critical thinking to analyze the often-confusing world of probability and statistics that the popular press and media portrays to us daily. In order to make these puzzling subjects applicable to the general public, he uses everyday issues such as cell-phone use and the health hazards created by tobacco. Also, in order to further simplify some of the more complicated subjects such as making educated causal inferences, Battersby provides charts and illustrations in order to clarify his descriptions, such as the graph on page 149.
  A notable and defining feature about this book is Battersby’s talent of not only telling and showing the reader how to rationalize and evaluate the plethora of deceiving information produced by the media on a daily basis, but also his ability to prepare the reader to do it on their own.
  Overall, this book should be read by everyone because is it a necessity to gain the knowledge and ability to comprehend the massive amount of misleading information sent to the public through the various forms of media. This book is the perfect option for anyone in any field of work who is searching to gain a better grasp of the world around them and attain a better understanding of the decisions they make.