Data Matters: Conceptual Statistics for a Random World

Nicholas Maxwell

Data Matters provides a crucial introduction to statistics. It turns the precalculus student or the general reader into a critical and capable consumer of everyday statistics. And, it prepares the student to read the most common statistics found in the natural and social sciences, laying a foundation for further study in statistics. With its pleasant, conversational style, Data Matters engages and interests students. It covers the basics and spices up the material using data from the popular press and offering insights into how statistical formulas were developed.

This title fits into most non-major statistics courses—those intended primarily for the liberal arts or the humanities, or for quantitative literacy or quantitative reasoning courses. It is perfect for students in non-mathematically oriented majors or for general education elective courses. Data Matters is also ideal for continuing education or adult education courses.

Maxwell’s analytical approach emphasizes concepts and comprehension rather than computationally efficient equations. The contemporary user of statistics knows that students must be able to interpret the data, and in Data Matters, data matters!

Data Matters lays out the full logic of statistical sampling and inference in the context of one type of statistic: proportions. Proportions are the most common statistic in the news. Having solidified the students’ conceptions of the quirks that arise from how the proportion is calculated, Data Matters remains with proportions to present sampling distributions, confidence intervals, and statistical inference. After the logic of statistics has been fully revealed for proportions, Data Matters proceeds to show how that logic applies to other types of statistics, such as chi-square tests, ANOVA, and regression.

Concepts and procedures are almost always presented with supporting evidence. Much of that evidence is simulations and empirical tests. The author advises: “It is worthwhile to repeat those experiments in class to allow students to see the concepts demonstrated before their own eyes. The goal is to encourage a healthy skepticism.”

Data Matters takes the time to review the basic mathematics students need to succeed in their conceptual understanding of the subject. At the same time, the author motivates students’ learning by explaining why the material is important and how it is used on a day-to-day basis.

Each section of the book has a variety of elements to support student learning:

• Textboxes highlight key concepts.
• Summaries review each section’s material.
• An “Algebra and Greek Symbols” section restates each section’s material in traditional mathematical and statistical equations.
• A computer project illustrates the text’s key concepts.
• Exercises promote students’ mastery.
• Answers to odd numbered exercises appear immediately after each section’s exercises.

The “Algebra and Greek Symbols” sections allow students to prepare themselves for further classes in statistics.

The ancillary package for Data Matters consists of:

• Instructor Resources: Printed resources that include hints for teachers, strategies for teaching the course, answers to homework problems, and sample schedules
• Data Matters Limited-Use Fathom CD-ROM: Intended to provide instructors with a free version of Fathom Dynamic Statistics™ software for classroom presentation purposes; limited to Data Matters examples and data
• Data Matters with Fathom Dynamic Statistics Student Lab Manual: A hands-on activity-based manual designed to help students deepen their understanding of statistics through challenging, Fathom-based exercises
• Online Resources: Data, instructor resources, and computer activities for students in Excel, SPSS, and Fathom
• Test Generator: Adheres to the unique style and tone of Data Matters

Data Matters text or Manual is also available bundled inexpensively with Fathom Dynamic Statistics™ in adoption quantities. Contact your Key College Publishing sales representative.

If you are an instructor who has adopted this title for your class(es), please click here to apply for free online Instructor Resources.

Fathom Dynamic Statistics is a trademark of KCP Technologies, Inc.