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The Data Detective

Ten Easy Rules to Make Sense of Statistics

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The Data Detective

Written by: Tim Harford
Narrated by: Tim Harford
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From “one of the great (greatest?) contemporary popular writers on economics” (Tyler Cowen) comes a smart, lively, and encouraging rethinking of how to use statistics.

Today we think statistics are the enemy, numbers used to mislead and confuse us. That’s a mistake, Tim Harford says in The Data Detective. We shouldn’t be suspicious of statistics—we need to understand what they mean and how they can improve our lives: they are, at heart, human behavior seen through the prism of numbers and are often “the only way of grasping much of what is going on around us.” If we can toss aside our fears and learn to approach them clearly—understanding how our own preconceptions lead us astray—statistics can point to ways we can live better and work smarter.

As “perhaps the best popular economics writer in the world” (New Statesman), Tim Harford is an expert at taking complicated ideas and untangling them for millions of readers. In The Data Detective, he uses new research in science and psychology to set out ten strategies for using statistics to erase our biases and replace them with new ideas that use virtues like patience, curiosity, and good sense to better understand ourselves and the world. As a result, The Data Detective is a big-idea book about statistics and human behavior that is fresh, unexpected, and insightful. Consumer Behaviour & Market Research Economics Marketing & Sales Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Marketing Heartfelt Detective Nutrition Behavior Analysis
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If you're on the fence well hop over it. with lots of stories and fantastic examples this book is excellent for understanding how to approach statistics. not to mention its great narration. this book is a great read for anyone.

seriously just read it.

engaging! helpful !

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I've listened to Tim Harford for many years on the More or Less podcast, as well as Cautionary Tales. Tim is a gifted communicator, his voice is calm, he explains things clearly, and gives interesting examples to help us understand. This audiobook is my first "book" from Tim Harford and I couldn't be more pleased. In a world of 'pundits' interested more in scoring points against their opponents, The Data Detective lets us take time to breathe and examine what makes for good statistics (or good arguments in general), versus the daily deluge of click-bait headlines and shock news stories. Tim Harford's performance is not surprisingly first rate and I will look for more of his books in the future!

We need more Tim Harford's

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What is truth? How do do look at all of the information that is coming out way and make sense of it?

When there is so much seemingly conflicting information that is being shared with us on a daily basis how do you decide what information is leading, or misleading? The Data Detective provides 10 simple guidelines that we can all use to ask the right questions and parse the reporting that we have been given down to what it actually means.

I also like that this book isn't particularly politically leaning. In a world that is so partisan right now, it allows everyone to be able to be curious and learn about ways that we can understand the world around us better. I can not recommend this book enough.

The kind of book the world needs right now.

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On occasion, there is a book that is a “must read” for everyone, regardless of their interests, political beliefs, educational level, or any other world views. This is such a book. Do yourself – and the rest of humanity - a favor, and read/listen to this book at least once.

Required reading (listening) for all!

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As noted in the subject line. The last two to three chapters were phenomenal but you do need the background context from the concepts covered prior to then.

Slow Start to Amazing Endings

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