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The Manga Guide to Statistics | 
 enlarge | Authors: Shin Takahashi, Trend-pro Ltd
Publisher: No Starch Press
Category: Book
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $12.31
You Save: $7.64 (38%)
New (30) Used (6) from $12.31
Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 20381
Format: Illustrated
Media: Paperback
Pages: 224
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 9 x 7 x 0.7
ISBN: 1593271891
Dewey Decimal Number: 519.5
EAN: 9781593271893
ASIN: 1593271891
Publication Date: November 28, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New, Perfect Condition, Please allow 4-14 business days for delivery. 100% Money Back Guarantee, Over 1,000,000 customers served.
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Product Description
Think you can't have fun learning statistics? Think again. The Manga Guide to Statistics will teach you everything you need to know about this essential discipline, while entertaining you at the same time. With its unique combination of Japanese-style comics called manga and serious educational content, the EduManga format is already a hit in Japan. In The Manga Guide to Statistics, our heroine Rui is determined to learn about statistics to impress the dreamy Mr. Igarashi and begs her father for a tutor. Soon she's spending her Saturdays with geeky, bespectacled Mr. Yamamoto, who patiently teaches her all about the fundamentals of statistics: topics like data categorization, averages, graphing, and standard deviation. After all her studying, Rui is confident in her knowledge of statistics, including complex concepts like probability, coefficients of correlation, hypothesis tests, and tests of independence. But is it enough to impress her dream guy? Or maybe there's someone better, right in front of her? Reluctant statistics students of all ages will enjoy learning along with Rui in this charming, easy-to-read guide, which uses real-world examples like teen magazine quizzes, bowling games, test scores, and ramen noodle prices. Examples, exercises, and answer keys help you follow along and check your work. An appendix showing how to perform statistics calculations in Microsoft Excel makes it easy to put Rui's lessons into practice. This EduManga book is a translation from a bestselling series in Japan, co-published with Ohmsha, Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
 Concepts clearly explained in a fun way December 16, 2008
A. Arif
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is very good for introductory statistics. I am looking forward to the second part of this book. I wish it covered more topics. I strongly recommend it to anyone who wants or needs to learn statistics. The story may probably apeal to teenagers, but the problems and explanations were very clear.
 Very enjoyable way to learn statistics December 14, 2008
Ryan Stille (Nebraska)
I loved this book. I found it to be hilarious, even in places where it wasn't trying. The story is well integrated with the main subject, better than other educational comic books I've read.
The book starts out explaining the basics of statistics, including data types, averages, and standard deviation. Then it dives in to heavier topics such as standard score and probability density. The examples in the book really helped me understand the topics.
The first half of the book was easy reading, and I learned a lot. The second half was more difficult. I had to go over a few things twice and sometimes look to the internet for additional help. This could just be because I had no previous study in statistics at all.
The last part of the book covers relationships between values (correlation ratio) and hypothesis tests. I will also mention that I think the relationship between the high school student Rui and her much older tutor is sometimes inappropriate. There is some flirting between them, and at one point she is in her underwear with him.
I enjoyed the book and I am looking forward to the one on databases
 Can You Learn Statistics from Cartoons? December 13, 2008
John Jacobson (Riverside CA USA)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Can You Learn Statistics from Cartoons?
The short answer is yes. The is a deceptively simple introduction to statistics that is taught via manga, or Japanese cartoons. If you ride the subway in Tokyo, you'll see many riders reading manga for diversion on their way to and from work. They are serial stories presented in black and white cartoons.
The Manga Guide to Statistics uses a cartoon format to present elementary statistics. You might think that an apparently non-serious approach wouldn't work in introducing a complicated subject such as statistics, but think again. The basics are all here. Chapters are included on the subjects listed below
Categorical & Numerical Data defined
Numerical Data
Various descriptions, mean, median, standard deviation, estimation theory
Categorical Data
Cross tabulations
Standard Score, Deviation Score
Probability
Probability density function
Standard normal distribution
Chi square distribution
t distribution
F distribution
Use of computer spread sheets to do the math
Testing Variables
Correlation coefficient
Correlation ratio
Cramer's coefficient
Hypothesis Testing
Chi-Square test of independence
Null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis
P-value and procedure for hypothesis tests
Tests of independence and tests of homogeneity
Again, use of computers to simplify the calculations
This is a good book for a general introduction to the theory and methodology of statistics. It is short on examples and problems to work on, but for certain readers, it may have value in helping them understand the available statistical tools. It is also short as well on explaining the strengths and weaknesses of statistics, For example, I don't believe you could use just the material in the book to critique the use of statistics in a medical article.
While it has the math, and a short description of the theory, it falls short in teaching the philosophy behind our understanding of statistics. If you don't believe that is important, take a look at the current financial landscape in the world. Many people blame the "greed" of Wall Street for our financial troubles, but a more basic cause is a misuse and lack of understanding about what one can actually learn from statistics. In short, in the real world, there is no such thing as a "normal" population, and the expression P=0 never happens. An admittedly longer and more complex book that should be on the short reading list of all who are interested in "understanding" statistics is The Cult of Statistical Significance: How the Standard Error Costs Us Jobs, Justice, and Lives by by Deirdre Nansen McCloskey and Steve Ziliak
But for an introduction, it may be very helpful to certain readers, particularly to those who may be visual learners.
Recommended with reservations.
Fun and Informative December 11, 2008
E. Peck (Orlando, FL)
I think that the packaging of statistics in the middle of a story about a young girl is quite clever and will make a nice bridge for anyone wanting to check out statistics.
It is still math and anyone who wants to really be able to use this book needs a solid grasp of algebra and some exposure to calculus wouldn't hurt in understanding some of the formulas.
I think the lack of teaching how to use automated tools is excellent and may make this a fun text for any math geek who's tired of sudoku and wants to take on a fun story with some great problems to work through.
There are not a ton of exercises for each chapter and this cannot be used as a stand alone statistics text but would make for a great introduction or complementary material.
The side story has decent artwork and is quite a bit of fun.
A Gentle, FUN & Practical Guide to Statistics December 11, 2008
Ira Laefsky (Philadelphia, PA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This excellent, fun and gentle tutorial in Statistics will alleviate the anxiety of business and social science students who are required to take a Statistical Methods course but were always afraid of Mathematics. It encourages the reader to sit back, enjoy the story, and follow along with the solution to real world problems. It is more extensive than most introductions to the field but requires less concentrated effort than others. Finally, it has the excellent sense to offer solutions in Microsoft Office Excel, which will be available to students and professionals in almost any academic or commercial environment. In leading us by the hand through solving realistic problems it allows gentle learning, while not giving a false impression that all can be absorbed without any effort. Altogether a fun guide, or refresher to anyone who needs statistical competence in their work or education.
--Ira Laefsky
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