The relatively young discipline of statistics evolved during the last century to become an important aspect of all the sciences. The term statistics now usually includes both descriptive and analytical domains. Those analytical methods that have been found to be particularly useful and prevalent in the design and analysis of medical and public health research studies have been termed biostatistics. The use of these methods will be discussed later in the section titled Basic Analytical Statistics (Biostatistics) Concepts. While most readers are unlikely to be practicing biostatisticians, most probably they will be expected to understand and interpret correctly the journal articles summarizing research projects relevant to public health practice. Most such articles use statistical techniques in their summaries and analyses (perusal of any recent research journal in medicine or public health verifies this assertion). We review the rationale and interpretation of basic statistical summaries and biostatistical analyses. (Details on many specific statistical methodologies may be found in the several textbooks listed in the section titled Further Reading.)