Statistics Behind the Headlines

This book is a collaboration between a statistician and a journalist to shed light on the statistics behind the stories and the stories behind the statistics. It provides an exploration of the statistical and journalism concepts needed to understand the data analyzed and reported in the news, with chapters organized around ideas, claims, evidence, quality/strength, reasonableness, and impact. It closes with connections to the Stats + Stories podcast.

Format: Hardback
Length: 178 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Are you looking to expand your data self-defense and critical news consumption skills? Look no further! This book is a collaboration between a statistician and a journalist, aimed at shedding light on the statistics behind the stories and the stories behind the statistics. Whether you're a news enthusiast or simply curious about how data is used in the media, this book is for you.

The first chapter, "Statistics Behind the Headlines," sets the stage by presenting a news story headline and summarizing the story. Each subsequent chapter delves into the statistical and journalism concepts needed to understand the data analyzed and reported in the story. The chapters are organized into several sections, including:

What ideas will you encounter in this chapter?
What is claimed? Is it appropriate?
Who is claiming this?
Why is it claimed?
What makes this a story worth telling?
Is this a good measure of impact?
How is the claim supported?
What evidence is reported?
What is the quality/strength of the evidence?
Does the claim seem reasonable?
How does this claim fit with what is already known?
How much does this matter?
Considering the coverage

Each chapter concludes with connections to the Stats + Stories podcast, where you can hear more insights and discussions related to the topics covered in the book.

So, whether you're a seasoned news consumer or just starting to explore the world of data, this book is a valuable resource for developing your critical news consumption skills. Don't miss out on the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the stories that shape our world!

Weight: 540g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367902537