Statistics Without Tears: A Primer for Non-Mathematicians Allyn & Bacon Classics Edition: Amazon.ca: Derek Rowntree: Books

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Book Description

This classic book uses words and diagrams, rather than formulas and equations, to help readers understand what statistics is, and how to think statistically. It focuses on the ideas behind statistics only; readers are not required to perform any calculations.

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An ideal introduction to statistics in any field.

This text uses words and diagrams, rather than formulas and equations, to help students from all subject areas understand what statistics is, and how to think statistically. The author uses a question-and-answer presentation style to help students learn on their own. Statistics Without Tears focuses on the ideas behind statistics only; students are not required to perform any calculations.

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13 Reviews

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Average Customer Review

4.2 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Contents of the Book, Feb 17 2004

By

MAURICIO AGUIAR (Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Statistics Without Tears: A Primer for Non Mathematicians (Paperback)

(The "Search Inside the Book" feature was not available for this book at the time this review was posted)

One of the things that help me decide whether or not to buy a book is the table of contents. I hope the information below is useful.

Introduction.
How to use this book.

1. Statistical inquiry.
Making sense of experience.
What is statistics?
Descriptive and inferential statistics.
Collecting a sample.

2. Describing our sample.
Statistical variables.
Error, accuracy and approximations.

3. Summarizing our data.
Tables and diagrams.
Central tendency (averages).
Measures of dispersion.

4. The shape of a distribution.
Skewed distributions.
Introducing the normal distribution.
Proportions under the normal curve.
Comparing values.

5. From sample to population.
Estimates and inferences.
The logic of sampling.
A distribution of sample-means.
Estimating the population-mean.
Estimating other parameters.

6. Comparing samples.
From the same or different populations?
Significance testing.
The significance of significance.
Comparing dispersions.
Non-parametric methods.

7. Further matters of significance.
One- versus two-tailed tests.
z-tests and t-tests.
Comparing several means.
Comparing proportions.

8. Analysing relationships.
Paired values.
Three kinds of correlation.
The strength of a correlation.
The significance of a correlation coefficient.
Interpreting a correlation coefficient.
Prediction and regression.

Postscript.
Review.
Caution.

Bibliography.

Index.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Small and Expensive? - Maybe Not., Aug 7 2003

By

MAURICIO AGUIAR (Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Statistics Without Tears: A Primer for Non Mathematicians (Paperback)

This book is true to its title. It IS a primer for non-mathematicians. It teaches extremely useful concepts in a concise and simple way with as little math as possible. A small and easy to read book - you will want to take it with you and read it on the bus, plane, subway, etc.
The only drawback is the price - however, it may be not so expensive if it saves you several hours that would be otherwise spent trying to read other, less readable, books. How much is your time worth to you?

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4.0 out of 5 stars A great leap in understanding statistics but at a price, Oct 14 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Statistics Without Tears: A Primer for Non Mathematicians (Paperback)

I just read this book, although I originally purchased the it a number of years ago. I'm afraid my "math anxiety" kept me from reading it although my desire to conquer this stuff remained. Finally, working on a PhD I was again faced with quantitative methods which set me to the task again.

Reading this text non-stop was relatively painless and exceedingly enlightening. Rowntree at least 95% of the material very clear and understandable and avoided too many side trips to the theoretical. Suddenly, the information I was confronted with in class began to make sense given his "down-to-earth" explanations. However, he doesn't stray far from the theoretical and mathematical roots of the science of probability.

He takes the reader from the point of understanding we all do statistical analysis informally regardless of any coursework. From there, he proceeds through the fundamentals until reaching the essence of correlation and regression.

My first of two critiques would be that he leaves out some basic symbols in favor of simplicity. Yet these symbols could easily have remained in. This would have aided the transition from understanding to classroom work. Second, the price for the volume is extraordinary. The price is a clear disincentive. Although the knowledge is easily worth [more money], I'm afraid this reduces the number of readers for an extremely valuable primer.

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Most recent customer reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Keep Looking
For the cost, this book is 4 standard deviations from the mean of value. See, I learned something!

In all seriousness, the book does accomplish what its sets out to do: Explain... Read more

Published on Aug 4 2002

4.0 out of 5 stars Shed your tears if you like; not on statistics though!
Derek Rowntree's book is truly a primer for non-mathematicians!