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Chance Rules: An Informal Guide to Probability, Risk and Statistics
An entertaining exploration of aspects of chance, risk and probability, ranging from the toss of a coin to the use of clinical trials in medicine and the evaluation of alternative therapies. Aimed at all those who would like to discover more about chance and the way it operates in a variety of settings, the book is written by the prolific author, Professor Brian S. Everitt, Head of the Biostatistics and Computing Department at Kings College, London.
202 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 20, 2023
I really liked Mr Everitt's way of writing. He is a professional statistician.
Chance devices like dice/ lots were used in ancient times in administration of justice, division of property and to communicate with God and to know his wish.
The concept of Probability actually took birth in gambling houses by inveterate gamblers thinking of odds during 17th century . Gradually mathematicians developed interest in this subject.
One can learn fun facts about tossing coin, rolling dice, playing card games, roulette and also puzzling probability problems.
Bayes theorem and it's application to interpretation of screening tests, role of statistics in medicine to establish evidence, concept of statistical model are explained clearly.
Alterative medicine thrives on anecdotes and testimonials rather than its efficacy. anecdotes/ testimonials cannot become evidence. Only Randomised controlled trials can establish evidence.
Author states due to random variation, certainty is impossible in medicine. statistics , however, helps to quantify uncertainty and identify good bets. decisions are made based on probability.
The author could convince me that chance has a role in everything. quantum physics accepts randomness at sub atomic particle level.Evolution and mutations happen because of chance. So chance rules!!! Absolutely
Chance devices like dice/ lots were used in ancient times in administration of justice, division of property and to communicate with God and to know his wish.
The concept of Probability actually took birth in gambling houses by inveterate gamblers thinking of odds during 17th century . Gradually mathematicians developed interest in this subject.
One can learn fun facts about tossing coin, rolling dice, playing card games, roulette and also puzzling probability problems.
Bayes theorem and it's application to interpretation of screening tests, role of statistics in medicine to establish evidence, concept of statistical model are explained clearly.
Alterative medicine thrives on anecdotes and testimonials rather than its efficacy. anecdotes/ testimonials cannot become evidence. Only Randomised controlled trials can establish evidence.
Author states due to random variation, certainty is impossible in medicine. statistics , however, helps to quantify uncertainty and identify good bets. decisions are made based on probability.
The author could convince me that chance has a role in everything. quantum physics accepts randomness at sub atomic particle level.Evolution and mutations happen because of chance. So chance rules!!! Absolutely
Displaying 1 of 1 review