This document summarizes the book "Turning Numbers into Knowledge" by JG Koomey. The book provides a guide for critically evaluating numerical data by examining the source of numbers, how they were collected, and validity of conclusions. It focuses on asking the right questions when data and conclusions are presented. Key chapters discuss creating effective graphs/tables, using numbers in presentations, and case studies showing how guesses became accepted facts through repetition rather than solid evidence. The book offers practical advice for researchers using and producing numerical data.

1. Numbers and data:
A consumer's guide

2. All too often, copyeditors focus on applying the correct style for
numbers: for example, some journal publishers insist on omitting the
space between the number and the unit (°C) in specifying temperatures
whereas most others insist on that space (39°C and 39 °C). However, for
researchers, numbers are important for their value, and this post is
about a book that serves as a consumer's guide to numbers.
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3. Turning Numbers into Knowledge [1] by J G Koomey is about judging
numbers and numerical data by:
1. examining the source of such numbers
2. the method of their collection and
3. the validity of conclusions drawn from the numbers
Of particular relevance to readers of this series of blog posts are the
chapters on creating effective graphs and tables and using numbers as
part of a presentation.
[1] Koomey J G. 2009. Turning Numbers into Knowledge: mastering the art of problem solving.
Oakland, California: Analytics Press. 247 pp. <www.numbersintoknowledge.com>
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4. The most important part of Turning Numbers into Knowledge is about
the right questions to ask when presented with conclusions backed by
data.
The ten chapters that make up this part are a concise guide to critical
thinking and include chapters with titles such as "All numbers are not
created equal," "Question authority," and "Distinguish facts from
values."
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5. The chapter titled "How guesses become facts" consists of two case
studies to show that statistics that came to be accepted as solid facts
merely through repetition began life as "very limited monitored data,
back-of-the-envelope calculations, and hunches' and ‘pure guesswork . .
. with a fancy spreadsheet and graphs to back it up."
Full of practical advice, insights, and examples, the book is for every
researcher who uses, and produces, numerical data.
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