Modern statistics is very different from the dry & dusty discipline of the popular imagination In its place is an exciting subject which uses deep theory & powerful software tools to shed light & enable understanding & it sheds this light on all aspects of our lives enabling astronomers to explore the origins of the universe archaeologists to investigate ancient civilisations governments to understand how to benefit & improve society & businesses to learn how best to provide goods & services Aimed at readers with no prior mathematical knowledge this Very Short Introduction explores & explains how statistics work & how we can decipher them ABOUT THE SERIES The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly Our expert authors combine facts analysis perspective new ideas & enthusiasm to make interesting & challenging topics highly readable