Reading lists
Reading lists
Reading lists are reading paths for a specific situation. Basic materials give you the minimum you need to deal calmly with a number and avoid a typical mistake; in-depth materials are for those who want to understand the terms and how research works. The order within each list runs from actions to concepts. If your situation is not covered here, start with the map of sections: there, all materials are grouped by topic rather than by occasion.
You don't need to become a statistician to avoid being fooled by numbers. It is enough to know a few questions and ask them out of habit.
Only published materials from the guide are included in the reading lists. We do not include advertising, rankings of our own or links to specific products, shops or research companies. If a material on a topic is not ready yet, we do not put a placeholder in its place; we simply keep the list shorter.
Getting started
For those who want to understand the basics: what sampling and margin of error are, how the mean differs from the median and why correlation does not mean causation.
- Five steps to any rankingBasic
A short example on the home page — the quickest way into the subject.
- Answers about statisticsBasic
Mean and median, correlation and causation, Simpson's paradox.
- GlossaryIn depth
Sampling, margin of error, descriptive statistics and charts — briefly and with explanations.
Before you buy: ratings and reviews
For those choosing a product, service, school or neighbourhood by ratings and reviews who want to understand what lies behind them.
- Answers about ratings and reviewsBasic
Why few reviews means little information, and what first place really means.
- How to check a number from an advertBasic
A step-by-step article: percentages, "on average" and "one in two" in advertising claims.
- Guide sectionsIn depth
The "Ratings and reviews" topic with all related materials.
Numbers in the news
For those who want to read news about poll results, percentages and charts with a calm head and tell the data from a retelling of it.
- How to check a number from the newsBasic
Eight steps with hypothetical examples and a checklist.
- Answers about pollsBasic
Margin of error, sample size and what a sound poll should disclose.
- Charts and data presentationIn depth
Terms: truncated axis, absolute and relative values, time series.
Related sections
- Practical articles
How to check a number from the news or an advert, step by step, plus a catalogue of upcoming articles.
- Reference
A glossary: sampling and polls, descriptive statistics, charts and data.
- Archive
All materials by date and topic, plus a note on the domain's former addresses.
Sources
- Zasobyanina guide materials
Information is current as of the preparation date. Research methods, official statistics releases and the standards of professional associations change over time, so always check the latest data in the original sources.