Ebook: Turning Numbers into Knowledge - Mastering the Art of Problem Solving

Full of tools, tricks, and tips for solving problems in the real world, this book serves as an ideal training manual for those who are new to or intimidated by quantitative analysis and acts as an excellent refresher for those who have more experience but want to improve the quality of their data, the clarity of their graphics, and the cogency of their arguments. In addition to containing numerous updates to the contents--references, URLs, and reading lists--this Second Edition includes a new foreword, revised chapters, and an epilogue. Mastering the art of problem solving takes more than proficiency with basic calculations; it requires understanding how people use information, recognizing the importance of ideology, learning the art of storytelling, and acknowledging the important distinction between facts and values. Intended for executives, professors, and students, this guide addresses these and other essential skills.
Content:
Front Matter
• Preface
• Table of Contents
• Introduction: The Information Explosion
•Part I. Things to Know
• 1. Beginner's Mind
• 2. Don't Be Intimidated
3. Information, Intention, and Action
4. Peer Review and Scientific Discovery
•Part II. Be Prepared
• 5. Explore Your Ideology
• 6. Get Organized
• 7. Establish a Filing System
8. Build a Toolbox
9. Put Facts at Your Fingertips
• 10. Value Your Time
•Part III. Assess Their Analysis
• 11. The Power of Critical Thinking
• 12. Numbers Aren't Everything
• 13. All Numbers are Not Created Equal
14. Question Authority
• 15. How Guesses Become Facts
• 16. Don't Believe Everything You Read
• 17. Go Back to the Questions
• 18. Reading Tables and Graphs
• 19. Distinguish Facts from Values
• 20. The Uncertainty Principle and the Mass Media
•Part IV. Create Your Analysis
• 21. Reflect
• 22. Get Unstuck
• 23. Inquire
• 24. Be a Detective
• 25. Create Consistent Comparisons
• 26. Tell a Good Story
27. Dig into the Numbers
28. Make a Model
29. Reuse Old Envelopes
30. Use Forecasts with Care
• 31. Hear All Sides
•Part V. Show Your Stuff
• 32. Know Your Audience
33. Document, Document, Document
• 34. Let the Tables and Graphs Do the Work
35. Create Compelling Graphs and Figures
• 36. Create Good Tables
37. Use Numbers Effectively in Oral Presentations
38. Use the Internet
39. Share and Share Alike
• Conclusion: Creating the Future
Epilogue: Some Parting Thoughts
• Notes
Index