Book Review: What is a p-value anyway? by Andrew Vickers
Let me start with a quick confession.
Today, I’m fairly confident when it comes to reading and interpreting biostatistics. I can navigate p-values, confidence intervals, regression models—you name it. But the journey to get here? Let’s just say it wasn’t a straight line. It was a long and winding road filled with confusion, trial and error, and a lot of “am I the only one not getting this?” moments.
I recently picked up What is a p-value anyway? by Andrew Vickers, not just for myself—but because I found out I’ll be teaching biostatistics to college students next term.
And here’s the thing:
Learning biostatistics for yourself is one thing. Teaching it to students with little to no background? That’s a whole different game.
The Book That Made Everything Click
When I started prepping my lectures, I realized I needed a way to explain complex concepts simply—without diluting them. That’s when I came across Vickers’ book.
What is a p-value anyway? is not a typical stats textbook. It’s a short, sharp, and incredibly readable collection of 50 mini-chapters—each one answering a common, often misunderstood question in statistics.
Things like:
“What is a p-value, really?”
“Why do we use 0.05?”
“What does statistical significance actually mean?”
“Is correlation causation?”
The best part? Each chapter is only 2–3 pages long and written in plain English. There’s zero fluff, minimal math, and just enough humor to make you smile without trying too hard. Vickers doesn’t assume you’re a math genius. He writes like a good teacher—clear, patient, and relatable. The exact qualities of what I want to become in order to teach college kids this “dreaded” subject.
Why This Book Hit Home for Me
During my MPH, I struggled with biostatistics. I was doing the assignments and passing the exams, but deep down, I wasn’t sure I understood it. The language felt abstract, the numbers confusing, and the textbooks? Intimidating at best.
Eventually, through lots of practice and real-world experience, things started to click. But it took a long time.
Now, I’m in a place where I feel confident with the material—but as I prep to teach it, I’m reminded of how challenging it can be when you're just starting out. That’s why this book felt like a breath of fresh air. It gave me not only clearer explanations, but better language to use when teaching others.
So how about we do a ranking system on how much I love it?
Usefulness – 10/10
Whether you’re a student, a public health professional, or someone teaching stats (like me), this book is packed with value. It won’t replace your textbook, but it will make it make sense. It’s also a fantastic resource to use when explaining concepts to others—especially those who feel intimidated by math.
Readability – 9.5/10
It’s structured like a Q&A book, which means you can dip in and out. Each chapter is concise and jargon-free. This is a book you can genuinely enjoy reading, not just endure.
Return on Time – Extremely High
You can finish the whole thing in a weekend—or just read a chapter or two between meetings. Either way, the clarity you’ll gain is absolutely worth it.
Who Should Read This?
Students in public health, medicine, or the social sciences
Professionals who need a stats refresher that finally clicks
Teachers or lecturers (like me) who want to explain complex ideas simply
Anyone who has ever stared at a research paper and thought, “What on earth does this mean?”
Final Thoughts?
There’s something incredibly empowering about understanding statistics—not just memorizing formulas, but really grasping the logic behind them. What is a p-value anyway? helps you do exactly that.
I only wish I had found this book at the start of my MPH. It would’ve saved me a lot of confusion and late-night Googling. But now, as I prepare to teach the next generation of students, I’m incredibly grateful to have it in my toolkit.
Because here’s the truth: statistics doesn’t have to be scary.
It just needs to be explained like this.
So, If you’ve ever been confused by statistics, What is a p-value anyway? by Andrew Vickers is the book you didn’t know you needed. Clear, concise, and even funny at times, it’s the perfect companion for students, professionals, and especially teachers looking to make stats more human.
