The Practice of Social Research
Chapter Sixteen. Social Statistics
The Danger of Success in Math
It has been my experience over the years as a research methods instructor
that many people feel they have special trouble with mathematics and statistics.
Without questioning the validity of those feelings, I've also noted
some people have a problem with being good at math. When I've
asked classes how they would feel if they heard me telling another professor
how brilliant they were in math, many of my students have said they would
be uncomfortable with that image of themselves.
This chapter begins with a look at some of the non-mathematical problems
some people have with math. If it doesn't apply to you, you can probably
skip that section. At the same time, you might find it interesting
and perhaps useful.
However you feel about mathematics and statistics, I think you will find
this chapter very accessible. Although we will look at some of the
statistical techniques social researchers use in analyzing quantitative data,
I've written the chapter with the non-mathematician in mind.