ABSTRACT
This chapter talks about statistics and statistical literacy and reviews the difference between technical literacy and intuitive literacy. Technical literacy focuses on specific tools and techniques, and on knowing when and how to use them. Intuitive literacy, on the other hand, is based upon a clear and lucid global picture of “the big picture” while focusing on what is most important and most unique about that particular approach. This distinction is no more important in educational research than when it is used to talk about issues of statistics. Basic statistical literacy begins with an intuitive understanding of what the statistical approach is trying to accomplish, and how its tools are used to accomplish those goals. Inferential statistics is built around the notion that probability can be used to test certain claims about populations and samples. Most inferential tests are designed to give probability based “yes” or “no” answers.
