Re: Biostatistics for Dummies?

ER wrote:
> Hi. I'm looking for a clear and simplified book for understanding the
> basics of biostatistics. Something like Biostatistics for Dummies (I
> know there's a Statistics for Dummies but the reviews don't seem to
> regard it very highly). I'm afraid I lack in the mathematics
> background as in my years in the medical profession I haven't used it
> much and have forgotten most of what I learned in highschool and
> during the medical training.
>
> Any suggestions? Thanks!

I don't have any suggestion for such a book, but I have this comment
which I think is important for ALL who apply statistical methods.

There ain't such a thing as "statistics for biology",
"statistics for Engineers", "statistics for Bueiness", etc. etc.

Statistics is statistics. Some disciplines do use certain stat
methods more so than others. But you MUST separate the expertise
in statistics from the expertise in biology or other areas of
substantive applications.

There must be dozens of "Statistics for Dummies" books. :-)

But no matter how well such books are written, there's no substitute
for "statistical expertise" which you must rely on the help of
those statsticians who HAVE IT, rather than those who had read
a "Statistics for Dummies" book or an SPSS Manual. :)

I like my brain surgeon analogy which is NO HYPERBOLE. It takes no
less training to practice statistics (and not even necessarily well)
than it takes to train a brain surgeon to do brain surgery!

Would you let someone operate on your brain after reading a book
"Brain Surgery for Dummies"?

That's why Harvard has the unique 8-year program for M.D.s who
expects to be RESEARCHERs -- a 4-yr Harvard M.D., and 4-yr.
Harvard Ph.D. in Statistics. I taught one such Harvard M.D.
after his completion of M.D., and was talking an advanced course
in Data Analysis I taught at the Harvard Stat Department, when
he was completing his joint-degree-program there. I taught some
other M.D.s in my stat courses elsewhere.

-- Bob.

.

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