Statistical Methods for the Information Professional: A Practical, Painless Approach to Understanding, Using, and Interpreting Statistics

Citation

Hornby, S. (2002), "Statistical Methods for the Information Professional: A Practical, Painless Approach to Understanding, Using, and Interpreting Statistics", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 58 No. 2, pp. 247-249. https://doi.org/10.1108/jd.2002.58.2.247.13

To rephrase the old joke: “There are three kinds of information workers: those who can count and those who cannot”. Many people who would be embarrassed to admit difficulty in reading quite cheerfully admit to having little understanding of numbers in general and statistics in particular. In an information age the information professional who does not understand statistical analysis is working under a huge disadvantage. These two books, though different in style, are excellent tools for the information professional for practice and research and could be used alongside, for example, Stephen and Hornby (1997).

Egghe and Rousseau’s book is primarily aimed at the information professional in practice and is intended to be used as a tool when presenting statistical data. It commences with data gathering and considers electronic methods: while acknowledging the increase in the speed of collection, the problems of these methods are discussed.

This is a very library‐orientated text: library examples are used throughout and though this is interesting, using illustrations from the wider information field might have enhanced the content. The authors have chosen to write in report format and while this is brief, concise and exact it does not allow the opportunity to expand, describe and develop some of the ideas introduced. Mathematical symbols, the logic of calculations and the use of pocket calculators are outlined in some very helpful appendices.

This is a basic statistical text written for people with some knowledge of statistics and a rudimentary numeracy. Not everything here is discussed in detail; there are some assumptions of knowledge that those happy with mathematics will understand easily but it may take some concentration for those who are less numerate. This would be a valuable title for further reading to supplement a core text.

Liwen Vaughan is an Associate Professor at the University of Western Ontario (http://www.fims.uwo.ca/index.html). The author has spent ten years teaching statistics and it shows in how she approaches the topic; she makes the subject uncomplicated for the reader and each procedure is explained clearly and in detail.

This text is an attempt to demystify statistical analysis; to inculcate an “intuitive” understanding of statistics, an appreciation of what the figures mean and how they can be used and interpreted. It acknowledges the straightforwardness of the logic of statistics and tries to remove the fear that many feel on having to deal with numbers. All the examples used are related to information science research, a boon for those who teach statistics, and all demonstrate the practical application of what can sometimes be seen as purely theoretical concepts.

The section on computer software is a brief overview and explains how computers can take some of the “drudgery” out of statistical methods. While it is true that most information professionals now use one of the many statistics packages available, it is important that anyone using such a package be aware of the calculations that the computer is applying. A computer is a fast idiot. It will do exactly what you tell it to do rapidly. If the data are entered incorrectly then the outcome will be wrong. I have seen the results of this when students have entered figures incorrectly into a software package and have submitted a superbly presented piece of work that is entirely wrong. The students have made the assumption that as the answer came from a computer it must be correct whereas an understanding of the application of the formula used might have alerted them to the problems of the results.

This text contains an excellent chart in Chapter 12 on the appropriate statistical tests to use for specific hypotheses and should, in my opinion, be essential reading for all postgraduate/doctoral researchers.

I have one minor caveat for this excellent text and that is that there is nothing on the misuse/abuse of statistics. Every citizen should understand how unscrupulous individuals can manipulate data and should approach all statistical interpretation that they have not personally calculated or interpreted with a healthy distrust.

Each book serves a different purpose and is aimed at a different market. Their differing styles will appeal to distinct audiences but both are useful texts to have on any information professional’s, researcher’s or academic’s shelves.

This is a joint review with Elementary Statistics for Effective Library and Information Service Management