The Chicago guide to writing about numbers /

Numerous books provide strategies, guidelines, and best practices for communicating quantitative information. Edward Tufte, for example, considered by many the guru in the field, has written numerous acclaimed works (all published by Graphics Press): Envisioning Information (CH, Nov'90, 28-1398), Visual Display of Quantitative Information (CH, Nov'83; 2nd ed., 2001), and Cognitive Style of PowerPoint (2003). Miller (research methods and statistics, Rutgers) presents a holistic and accessible approach to understanding the issues in communicating numerical information by focusing on the entire writing process. Besides providing foundation principles for writing about numbers and exploring tools for displaying figures, the book combines statistical literacy with good writing. Key statistical concepts and practices are discussed in the context of "telling a story using numbers as evidence." Ideas are demonstrated using real-world examples. The book supplies guidelines for writing an introduction, data collection methodology, data analysis, results interpretation, conclusion, and preparing graphics. The language is unusually clear and concise, and the book's layout supports quick browsing. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. Students and professionals across all disciplines, who write using quantitative information. J. A. Buczynski Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology