HOW TO CHEAT WITH STATISTICS - AND GET AWAY WITH IT

The book explains how to identify and catch statistical cheaters. The author came across many weaknesses and flaws in statistics through 30 years of teaching. These weaknesses allow a malevolent researcher to manipulate the inputs, the calculations, and the reporting of results to derive a desired outcome.

This book should be valuable to everyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the weaknesses in statistics and learn how to evaluate statistical research to catch a statistical cheater!

The math is explained in simple terms and should be easy to follow. In addition, the book comes with 18 Excel spreadsheets and 7 Python codes. There are also questions and problems at the end of each chapter, which should facilitate the usage in a classroom. Answers to the questions and problems are available to instructors upon request.

Contents:

• Input Manipulation:
  • Manipulating Input Data
  • Manipulating the Research Timeframe
• Manipulating Statistical Calculations:
  • Regression Analysis
  • Inferential Statistics
• 'Creative Reporting', i.e., Distorting Outputs:
  • Numerical Bias
  • Visual Bias

Readership: Beginning undergraduate students interested in statistics, instructors of statistics, statisticians; any general audience interested in statistics.

'A lot of the information based on statistics is wrong and misleading. Dr Meissner does a great job to tell us how to detect right statistics from wrong statistics and explains in simple and intuitive language how to catch 'statistics cheaters' even though the book title suggests the opposite. I would recommend this book to everyone who wants to understand critical statistical concepts and who wants to catch malevolent statisticians.' - David Li, PhD in StatisticsChinese Academy for Financial ResearchShanghai Advanced Institute of Finance

'This book explains the weaknesses, inconsistencies, and flaws in statistics to avoid misinformation and fake news. It is a must-read for anyone dealing with statistics and should be part of every statistics class!' - Ranjan Bhaduri, PHD in Math, BSc (Honours) MBA, CAIA, CFAChief Executive OfficerBodhi Research Group

Key Features:

• During his 30 years of teaching statistics, the author came across many weaknesses, inconsistencies, and flaws in statistics. These limitations allow a malevolent researcher to manipulate the inputs, the calculations, and the reporting of results to derive desired outcomes
• While the title of the book is "How to Cheat with Statistics", the author actually explains how to identify and catch statistical cheaters. Therefore, this book should be valuable to everyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the weaknesses in statistics and learn how to evaluate statistical research to catch statistical cheaters!
• The math is explained in simple terms and should be easy to follow. In addition, the book comes with 18 Excel spreadsheets and 7 Python codes. There are also questions and problems at the end of each chapter, which should facilitate the usage in a classroom. Answers to the questions and problems are available to instructors upon request