Turning numbers into knowledge : mastering the art of problem solving / Jonathan G. Koomey.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

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.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Foreword (p. xiii)
• Preface (p. xv)
• Acknowledgments (p. xxiii)
• Introduction: The Information Explosion (p. 1)
• Part I Things to Know (p. 3)
• 1 Beginner's Mind (p. 5)
• 2 Don't Be Intimidated (p. 7)
• 3 Information, Intention, and Action (p. 9)
• 4 Peer Review and Scientific Discovery (p. 22)
• Part II Be Prepared (p. 29)
• 5 Explore Your Ideology (p. 31)
• 6 Get Organized (p. 34)
• 7 Establish a Filing System (p. 38)
• 8 Build a Toolbox (p. 41)
• 9 Put Facts at Your Fingertips (p. 44)
• 10 Value Your Time (p. 52)
• Part III Assess Their Analysis (p. 57)
• 11 The Power of Critical Thinking (p. 59)
• 12 Numbers Aren't Everything (p. 62)
• 13 All Numbers Are Not Created Equal (p. 65)
• 14 Question Authority (p. 68)
• 15 How Guesses Become Facts (p. 73)
• 16 Don't Believe Everything You Read (p. 76)
• 17 Go Back to the Questions (p. 81)
• 18 Reading Tables and Graphs (p. 84)
• 19 Distinguish Facts from Values (p. 87)
• 20 The Uncertainty Principle and the Mass Media (p. 90)
• Part IV Create Your Analysis (p. 93)
• 21 Reflect (p. 95)
• 22 Get Unstuck (p. 97)
• 23 Inquire (p. 99)
• 24 Be a Detective (p. 102)
• 25 Create Consistent Comparisons (p. 105)
• 26 Tell a Good Story (p. 107)
• 27 Dig into the Numbers (p. 111)
• 28 Make a Model (p. 125)
• 29 Reuse Old Envelopes (p. 129)
• 30 Use Forecasts with Care (p. 136)
• 31 Hear All Sides (p. 143)
• Part V Show Your Stuff (p. 145)
• 32 Know Your Audience (p. 147)
• 33 Document, Document, Document (p. 149)
• 34 Let the Tables and Graphs Do the Work (p. 161)
• 35 Create Compelling Graphs and Figures (p. 166)
• 36 Create Good Tables (p. 177)
• 37 Use Numbers Effectively in Oral Oresentations (p. 186)
• 38 Use the Internet (p. 189)
• 39 Share and Share Alike (p. 201)
• Conclusion: Creating the Future (p. 209)
• Epilogue: Some Parting Thoughts (p. 213)
• Further Reading (p. 223)
• Notes (p. 241)
• Index (p. 245)

Author notes provided by Syndetics

A leading energy-policy scholar, John P. Holdren has been professor of energy and resources at the University of California, Berkeley, and chair of the technical division of the energy and resources research group. In 1970, Holdren received a Ph.D. in aeronautics/astronautics and plasma physics from Stanford University. He has written nearly 200 research publications on plasma physics, fusion-reactor technology, energy options for developing countries, population growth, and international security. He has made significant contributions in safe nuclear fusion reactor design, assessment of nuclear fission technology, environmental risk assessment, and the interrelations between environment, economic development, and international security. Holdren is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Physical Society, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

(Bowker Author Biography)