how to lie with statistics

Since statistics is not a subject that I am particularly well educated in, I have chosen to read this book, with hopes of becoming more knowledgeable. From what I have read so far, I have learned about the drastic effects of hidden biases in taking “random” samples for studies. The example regarding the annual salaries of Yale graduates was particularly interesting. The author writes with a bitter and satirical tone, which I find amusing and supplementary to the book’s point. I have noticed that the monetary figures seem out of date, and the fact that this book was first published in 1954, is a good explanation. I suppose that as I continue to read, I will have to keep this in mind. I wish there was a currency exchange chart to show the difference from 1954 to 2003, due to inflation. The illustrations in this book are very mocking and humorous, and I look forward to continuing my reading!

Chapter 2
August 24, 2003

As I continue, my eighth grade algebra skills are ret...