This article examined the tradeoff between data analysis and simulations in the learning of statistics. In order to do this, the article compared two different interventions aimed at teaching statistics. One intervention used data analysis tools and focused on examples and long exercises that required students to interpret data. The other intervention used simulations and focused on formal aspects of probability related to statistical inference. Then, both perspectives were contrasted in their effectiveness to teach ANOVA. The intervention that used simulations improved students’ knowledge about probability, sampling and sample size effects. The intervention that used data analysis tools showed no significant effects on students’ data analy...