Have you ever wondered how Netflix suggests a movie for you? You would be incorrect if you thought it was a group of geniuses researching people from their computers all day. It would be too expensive for Netflix to pay them. Instead, Netflix uses the concept of correlation and a complex statistical algorithm to make suggestions. This algorithm tracks and groups people based on movies that they have similarly rated in the past and makes movie recommendations based upon those who have liked the same movies as you. Correlation and other statistical concepts are explored in Charles Wheelan’s, Naked Statistics. Wheelan strips down the idea of statistics into a single statement to which he credits Andrejs Dunkels, a Swedish math teacher, “It’s easy
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(Page XV)” Wheelan’s goal in writing Naked Statistics was to introduce the reader to statistical concepts, demonstrate that statistics are a powerful tool for making sense of the world, and to caution the reader that many things can go wrong when non-representative data or improper data analysis are used. To reinforce this last point, the author used analogies such as, “Statistics is like a high-caliber weapon, helpful when used correctly and potentially disastrous in the wrong hands. (Page XIV)” and “Let’s finish the book with some word association: fire, knives, automobiles, hair removal cream. Each one of these things serves an important purpose. Each one makes our lives better. And each one can cause some serious problems when abused.(Page 255)”
An example of problems that can occur with data can be found with unemployment statistics. The nation’s reported unemployment rate can send the stock …show more content…
He presents statistical concepts in an understandable way. Perhaps more importantly, he attempts to teach the reader to recognize and understand what can go wrong when these statistical concepts are misapplied. He acknowledges that data is infinite and statistics are a powerful tool we can use to grasp meaning from all this data, but Wheelan wants us to be somewhat skeptical, keep our eyes open, and ask questions when reviewing statistical information and outcomes. Everyone, our educators, our businesses, and our government agencies have a responsibility to gather data responsibly and safely. This same responsibility extends to their appropriate use and application of statistics from all of this data. Wheelan attempts to give his readers the power to understand and critically evaluate the many statistics that are presented to us daily. He wants us to ask ourselves, “Does this make sense?”. We all are presented with and rely on statistical information every day. Those who are familiar with statistics may still be deceived by statistical information, those who are unfamiliar with statistics will have no
(Page XV)” Wheelan’s goal in writing Naked Statistics was to introduce the reader to statistical concepts, demonstrate that statistics are a powerful tool for making sense of the world, and to caution the reader that many things can go wrong when non-representative data or improper data analysis are used. To reinforce this last point, the author used analogies such as, “Statistics is like a high-caliber weapon, helpful when used correctly and potentially disastrous in the wrong hands. (Page XIV)” and “Let’s finish the book with some word association: fire, knives, automobiles, hair removal cream. Each one of these things serves an important purpose. Each one makes our lives better. And each one can cause some serious problems when abused.(Page 255)”
An example of problems that can occur with data can be found with unemployment statistics. The nation’s reported unemployment rate can send the stock …show more content…
He presents statistical concepts in an understandable way. Perhaps more importantly, he attempts to teach the reader to recognize and understand what can go wrong when these statistical concepts are misapplied. He acknowledges that data is infinite and statistics are a powerful tool we can use to grasp meaning from all this data, but Wheelan wants us to be somewhat skeptical, keep our eyes open, and ask questions when reviewing statistical information and outcomes. Everyone, our educators, our businesses, and our government agencies have a responsibility to gather data responsibly and safely. This same responsibility extends to their appropriate use and application of statistics from all of this data. Wheelan attempts to give his readers the power to understand and critically evaluate the many statistics that are presented to us daily. He wants us to ask ourselves, “Does this make sense?”. We all are presented with and rely on statistical information every day. Those who are familiar with statistics may still be deceived by statistical information, those who are unfamiliar with statistics will have no