Applying and Interpreting Statistics: A Comprehensive Guide [Hardcover]

This book describes the basis, application, and interpretation of statistics, and presents a wide range of univariate and multivariate statistical methodology. The Second Edition retains the unique feature of being written from the users' perspective; it connects statistical models and methods to investigative questions and background information, and connects statistical results with interpretations in plain English. In keeping with this approach, methods are grouped by usage rather than by commonality of statistical methodology.In the period since the first edition was published, I have appreciated the corre? spondence from all parts of the world expressing thanks for the presentation of statistics from a user's perspective. It has been particularIy pleasing to have been invited to contribute to course restructuring and development based on the ap? proach to learning and applying statistics that underlies this book. In addition, I have taken account of suggestions and criticisms, and I hope that this new edition will address all major concerns. The range of readily accessible statistical methods has greatly expanded over the past decade, particularly with the growing accessibility of comprehensive statisti? cal computing packages. The approach adopted in this book has anticipated the changes by its emphasis on building understanding and skills in method selection and interpretation of findings. There has been a reduction in computational for? mulas to reflect the fact that basic statistical analyses are now almost universally undertaken on computers. This has allowed the inclusion of a more general cover? age of unifying methodology, particularly Generalized linear methodology, which permits users to more accurately match their requirements to statistical models and methods. A major addition is a chapter on the commonly used multivariate methods.The Importance of Statistics in an Informatin Based World * Data: The Factual Information * Statistical Models: The Expelƒ3