Updated 17/07/2025
MT5762 Introductory data analysis: Suggested reading list
The material provided for MT5762 (e.g. lecture notes, tutorials) will contain all the content required for passing the
course. The following list is provided in addition to the online reading list as alternative suggestions and to include
examples of academic papers, magazine articles and podcasts for a general interest in statistics. Engaging with any of
the material listed is optional.
All material listed is available online.
If anyone would like to write a review of any of the books listed, or have other suggestions that can be included,
please submit your review or suggestions to the module coordinator (lb9@st-andrews.ac.uk). These will then be
included in future recommendations for students.
Introductory statistics/R textbooks
Mathematics and Statistics for Science. J Sneyd, RM Fewster, D McGillivray
Statistics chapters (parts 8 to 12) cover material in typical introductory courses. The text is accessible for
non-specialists and based on explanations and examples to provide an intuitive understanding of concepts.
Available at: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-05318-4
Statistics: an introduction using R. MJ Crawley
An introductory text to statistical analysis and covers a broad array of methods.
The R Book. MJ Crawley
A comprehensive guide for R users covering data handling, graphics, mathematical functions and a wide
range of statistical techniques.
The new statistics with R: an introduction for biologists. A Hector
An introduction to the classical statistical techniques and also includes linear models.
Articles on the history of statistics
Three articles about the history of probability and statistics published in the journal Biometrika, a scientific journal
that focuses on statistical theory and methodology.
Studies in the history of probability and statistics I. Dicing and Gaming (a note on the history of probability). FN
David (1955). http://www.jstor.org/stable/2333419
Studies in the history of probability and statistics. Where shall the history of statistics begin? MG Kendall (1960).
http://www.jstor.org/stable/2333315
Studies in the history of probability and statistics: III. A note on the history of the graphical presentation of data. E
Royston (1956). http://www.jstor.org/stable/2332903
Magazines
Significance
A magazine produced by the Royal Statistical Society and American Statistical Association for anyone
interested in statistics and the analysis and interpretation of data. Its aim is to communicate and
demonstrate, in an entertaining, thought-provoking and non-technical way, the practical use of statistics in
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Updated 17/07/2025
all walks of life and to show informatively and authoritatively how statistics benefit society. It is available
online at the following link:
https://www.significancemagazine.com
Podcasts
More or Less
A BBC Radio 4/World Service programme (and short articles) that explains (or unravels) the numbers and
statistics that are reported in the news, used in political debate and talked about in everyday life. Episodes
are available on BBC iPlayer Radio at the following link or search BBC World Service:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qshd
Uncharted with Hannah Fry
A BBC Radio 4 programme that examines data in detail to uncover surprising discoveries.
BBC Sounds - Uncharted with Hannah Fry - Available Episodes
Hans Rosling talks
A one-hour video called ‘The Joy of Stats’ proving there is nothing boring about statistics.
http://www.gapminder.org/videos/the-joy-of-stats/
TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) talks given by Hans Rosling showing how important, and
exciting, data presentation and visualisation can be. These last approximately 20 minutes. A link to one
example is given below but there are many inspirational examples.
https://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_shows_the_best_stats_you_ve_ever_seen
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