Re: why is probability and statistics a hard subject?


"Richard Ulrich" <Rich.Ulrich@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:kqm7j355u5esbdgn0ql5ebodet07fapr5s@xxxxxxxxxx


Like some other repliers, I suspect that your teacher is not
a thoroughly "good statistician", or you would not feel this way.


Actually my professor is distinguished in the field of probability and
statistics. He is a known expert in this field with many scientific
publications. I myself just find the subject more slippery than other
subjects. I think probability and statistics simply requires more time to
sink in than any other subject. This subject simply requires more experience
and practice to become good at it, or it may be simply that I was not born
to be a statistician. I think people who are really good at this must have
their brains wired differently than the rest of us :)

One of the basics is to learn the vocabulary. Are you paying
close attention to definitions?


I try to, but more diagrams and pictures would help. Our textbook does not
have too many of these.

For a different sort of introduction to the "problem solving,"
maybe you could take a look at S. Siegel's 1956 book on
Nonparametric Statistics. (After 30 years, a newer edition
came out, with a co-author; but you don't need the newer
version for this exercise). The book does not touch the calculus
part, I think. It is organized as a "cookbook" of problems
with so-many groups; and dichotomous or ranked data,
which may or may not be "matched data."

It will introduce you to much vocabulary, and might provide
a substantial framework.


Ok, I'll look it up. I just ordered a book called "Applied Statistics
Algorithms by P. Griffiths " here is the amazon link
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0130379875/002-5270856-0528819

I like to see algorithms of things. It helps me to understand something when
I see the steps needed to solve it. My brain is more mechanical in a way.

Another suggestion, for figuring out "what's it all about" - find
SM Stigler's books on the history of statistics, like "History of
Statistics. The measurement of uncertainty before 1900."


ok, thanks, I'll try to look it up also.

Nasser
who has too many books and too little time to read them all.


.

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