Demystifying Statistical Concepts and Navigating Expertise

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The chapter explores a book simplifying complex statistical terms for non-experts, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful statistical application. It discusses the dangers of blindly trusting statistical analysis and navigating the balance between deference to expertise and critical thinking.

There's often a gap between the textbook treatment of statistics and the cookbook treatment--how to cook up the numbers when you're in the kitchen of the real world. Jeremy Weber of the University of Pittsburgh and the author of Statistics for Public Policy hopes his book can close that gap. He talks to EconTalk host Russ Roberts about how to use numbers thoughtfully and honestly.