Statistics In Theory And Practice With Special Reference To Published Statistics

Aimed at a diverse scientific audience, including physicists, astronomers, chemists, geologists, and economists, this book explains the theory underlying the classical statistical methods. Its level is between introductory "how to" texts and intimidating mathematical monographs. A reader without previous exposure to statistics will finish the book with a sound working knowledge of statistical methods, while a reader already familiar with the standard tests will come away with an understanding of their strengths, weaknesses, and domains of applicability. The mathematical level is that of an advanced undergraduate; for example, matrices and Fourier analysis are used where appropriate. Among the topics covered are common probability distributions; sampling and the distribution of sampling statistics; confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and the theory of tests; estimation (including maximum likelihood); goodness of fit (including c2 and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests); and non-parametric and rank tests. There are nearly one hundred problems (with answers) designed to bring out points in the text and to cover topics slightly outside the main line of development.

This lively and engaging book explains the things you have to know in order to read empirical papers in the social and health sciences, as well as the techniques you need to build statistical models of your own. The discussion in the book is organized around published studies, as are many of the exercises. Relevant journal articles are reprinted at the back of the book. Freedman makes a thorough appraisal of the statistical methods in these papers and in a variety of other examples. He illustrates the principles of modelling, and the pitfalls. The discussion shows you how to think about the critical issues - including the connection (or lack of it) between the statistical models and the real phenomena. The book is written for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students in statistics, as well as students and professionals in the social and health sciences.

This lively and engaging book explains the things you have to know in order to read empirical papers in the social and health sciences, as well as the techniques you need to build statistical models of your own. The discussion in the book is organized around published studies, as are many of the exercises. Relevant journal articles are reprinted at the back of the book. Freedman makes a thorough appraisal of the statistical methods in these papers and in a variety of other examples. He illustrates the principles of modelling, and the pitfalls. The discussion shows you how to think about the critical issues - including the connection (or lack of it) between the statistical models and the real phenomena. The book is written for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students in statistics, as well as students and professionals in the social and health sciences.