| Synopsis: |
Written for anyone who wants to learn or brush-up on the basics of statistics but is anxious of their abilities, this book offers a step-by-step introduction to the topic. The book begins with an introduction to the 'language' of statistics, and then covers descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Throughout, the author offers readers: a 'Difficulty Rating Index' for each chapter's material; Tips for doing and thinking about a statistical technique; top tens for everything from the best ways to create a graph to the most effective techniques for data collection; steps that break techniques down into a clear sequence of procedures; SPSS tips for executing each major statistical technique; and time to practice exercises at the end of each chapter, followed by worked out solutions. The book concludes with a statistical software sampler and a description of the best Internet sites for statistical information and data resources. Readers also have access to a website for downloading data that they can use to practice additional exercises from the book. Students and researchers will appreciate the book's unhurried pace and thorough, friendly presentation. |