<p><strong>A better way to learn statistics—see how a story can change learning outcomes!</strong></p> <p><em>Shortlisted for the Association of Learned & Professional Society Publishers Award for Innovation in Publishing 2016!</em></p> <p><strong>An Adventure in Statistics: The Reality Enigma </strong>by best-selling author and award-winning teacher Andy Field offers a better way to learn statistics. It combines rock-solid statistics coverage with compelling visual story-telling to address the conceptual difficulties that students learning statistics for the first time often encounter in introductory courses—guiding students away from rote memorization and toward critical thinking and problem solving.</p> <p>Field masterfully weaves in a unique, action-packed story starring Zach, a character designed to think like a student who processes information, and the challenges of understanding it, the way a statistics novice would. Illustrated with stunning graphic-novel style art and featuring Socratic dialogue, the story captivates readers as it introduces them to concepts, eliminating potential statistics anxiety.</p> <p>Providing a vibrant alternative to the dullness of many typical offerings, the book assumes no previous statistics knowledge nor does it require the use of data analysis software. It covers the material you would expect for an introductory level statistics course that Field’s other books (<em>Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics</em> and <em>Discovering Statistics Using R</em>) only touch on, but with a contemporary twist, laying down strong foundations for understanding classical and Bayesian approaches to data analysis.</p> <p>In doing so, it provides an unrivalled launch pad to further study, research, and inquisitiveness about the real world, equipping students with the skills to succeed in their chosen degree and which they can go on to apply in the workplace.</p> <p><strong> </strong><strong>Key Features</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Compelling graphic novel-style story and illustrations</strong> (by an illustrator from the <em>Doctor Who</em> show) <strong>introduce and apply statistics concepts gradually</strong>, keeping students engaged from the start. Readers are so enthralled by the story and the characters that they “forget” how much they are learning along the way!</li> <li><strong>Accessible pedagogy and style directly tackle student confusion</strong> by explaining concepts in an easy-to-grasp manner. Students learn things in a sensible order and build up their knowledge; in doing so they understand the material better.</li> <li><strong>“Student-to-student” approach addresses the conceptual difficulties </strong>that students learning statistics for the first time often encounter because the main character in the story is designed to think like a student who processes information, and the challenges of understanding it, the same way a statistics novice would—guiding readers away from rote memorization and toward critical thinking.</li> <li><strong>Socratic dialogue in the story </strong>helps students understand the basics behind even the more complex statistical concepts, reinforcing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.</li> <li><strong>Approachable material takes the fear out of statistics</strong> and does <em>not</em> require math expertise, previous statistics knowledge, or use of data analysis software.</li> <li><strong>Beginning-of-chapter sections</strong> introduce concepts for the first time and tell students where to focus their attention. </li> <li><strong><em>In the Next Chapter, Zach Discovers</em></strong> <strong>sections</strong> offer a sneak preview of what comes next. </li> <li><strong><em>Reality Check</em></strong> <strong>features</strong> explain new concepts in an easy-to-understand, unintimidating way. </li> <li><strong><em>Check your Brain</em></strong> <strong>exercises</strong> throughout the chapters offer opportunities for students to apply what they’ve learned, enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. </li> <li><strong>Figure boxes in the margins</strong> bring concepts to life as they direct readers to visual representations of the material without interrupting the flow of the narrative. </li> <li><strong><em>Zach’s Facts</em></strong> recap chapter key concepts and offer another opportunity for targeted review. </li> <li><strong><em>Milton’s Meowsings</em></strong> promote critical thinking and include humorous letters (from Professor Milton Grey to Zach, the main character) giving more insight into how students could approach solving different statistical questions and how those approaches affect the outcome. </li> <li><strong><em>Key Terms</em></strong> at the end of each chapter help strengthen important, newly learned concepts. </li> <li><strong><em>Jig:Saw’s Puzzles</em></strong> give students a chance to further test their understanding of statistical concepts and work through problems at their own pace.</li> </ul> <p>Related Products:</p> <ul> <li>Discovering Statistics using IBM SPSS Statistics, <em>Fourth Edition</em> </li> <li>Discovering Statistics Using R </li> <li>Discovering Statistics Using SAS</li> </ul>
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<span style="color: #111111; letter-spacing: normal; background-color: #ffffff;">Andy Field is Professor of Child Psychopathology at the University of Sussex. He has published over 80 research papers, 29 book chapters, and 17 books mostly on child emotional development and statistics.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="color: #111111; letter-spacing: normal; background-color: #ffffff;" ><br style="color: #111111; letter-spacing: normal; background-color: #ffffff;" ><span style="color: #111111; letter-spacing: normal; background-color: #ffffff;">He is the founding editor of the Journal of Experimental Psychopathology and has been an associate editor and editorial board member for the British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology, Cognition and Emotion, Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review and Research Synthesis Methods.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="color: #111111; letter-spacing: normal; background-color: #ffffff;" ><br style="color: #111111; letter-spacing: normal; background-color: #ffffff;" ><span style="color: #111111; letter-spacing: normal; background-color: #ffffff;">His ability to make statistics accessible and fun has been recognized with local and national teaching awards (University of Sussex, 2001, 2015; the British Psychological Society, 2007), a prestigious UK National Teaching Fellowship (2010), and the British Psychological Society book award (2006). He adores cats (and dogs), and loves to listen to and play very heavy music. He lives in Brighton with his wonderful wife Zoë, his son Zach, his crazy spaniel Ramsey and Fuzzy the cat.</span>
