Doing statistics for the first time? (`Don't panic'), says Fred Coolidge. He shows how statistics needn't be difficult or dull. He likens the role of the statistician to a detective, searching for clues to causation at the scene of a crime. He minimizes the use of formulas, but provides a step-by-step approach to their solution, and includes practical assignments. The book contains a wealth of real-world examples that give students a sense of how the science of statistics works, solves problems and helps us make informed choices about the world we live in.