Understanding Test and Exam Results Statistically

This book shares the goal of the classic text How to Lie with Statistics, namely, preventing and correcting statistical misconceptions that are common among practitioners, though its focus is on the educational context. It illustrates and discusses the essentials of educational statistics that will help educational practitioners to do this part of their job properly, i.e., without making conceptual mistakes. The examples are cast in the school/classroom contexts, based on realistic rather than theoretical examples.

“The strongest aspect of the work or author’s view is that the author can put himself in the shoes of teachers and make the work a very practical guide for teachers and school leaders. As a very experienced educator and researcher, the author knows very well about the knowledge skills that are essential for the professional development of teachers. He is able to explain the statistical and measurement concepts in plain language and with examples that are highly relevant to the target audience. In addition, the author also conveyed an important message to the target audience throughout the work… by pointing out the mistakes and misunderstandings of the interpretation of test scores and measurement design. The author reminds the audience about the importance of proper use of tests and test scores when teachers and school leaders make any education decisions, which has much implication on the professional integrity of teachers and school leaders.”

Dr. Joyce Kwan, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

“This book covers all the statistical tools for analyzing educational data and provides examples to explain the ideas. Chapters 10-17 are practical data analysis in educational data that helps readers have a better understanding of the procedure to analyze the data.”

Dr. Alpha Ling, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

“It looks like a very interesting book with attractive topics and practical problems in educational statistics. Though the topics remind me of the classic book How to Lie with Statistics, this book aims at preventing and correcting statistical misconceptions in educational context.”

Dr. Zhu Ying, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

“The strongest aspect of the work or author’s view is that the author can put himself in the shoes of teachers and make the work a very practical guide for teachers and school leaders. As a very experienced educator and researcher, the author knows very well about the knowledge skills that are essential for the professional development of teachers. He is able to explain the statistical and measurement concepts in plain language and with examples that are highly relevant to the target audience. In addition, the author also conveyed an important message to the target audience throughout the work… by pointing out the mistakes and misunderstandings of the interpretation of test scores and measurement design. The author reminds the audience about the importance of proper use of tests and test scores when teachers and school leaders make any education decisions, which has much implication on the professional integrity of teachers and school leaders.” (Dr. Joyce Kwan, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)

“This book covers all the statistical tools for analyzing educational data and provides examples to explain the ideas. Chapters 10-17 are practical data analysis in educational data that helps readers have a better understanding of the procedure to analyze the data.” (Dr. Alpha Ling, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)

“It looks like a very interesting book with attractive topics and practical problems in educational statistics.Though the topics remind me of the classic book How to Lie with Statistics, this book aims at preventing and correcting statistical misconceptions in educational context.” (Dr. Zhu Ying, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore)

Dr. Soh Kay Cheng graduated with Doctor of Philosophy (Education), National University of Singapore, and Master of Education (Educational Psychology), University of Manchester. He was Head, Centre for Applied Research in Education, National Institute of Education of Singapore. He served as a consultant to many organizations such as Ministry of Education, Singapore Centre for Chinese Language, and Educational Bureau, Hong Kong SAR.