Applied Statistics: Models and Intuition

This introductory textbook in Statistics is written from the viewpoint of Applied Mathematics. Under that perspective, theoretical rigor is not denigrated, but the book puts a high premium on offering an intuitive overview of key methods as well as clear evidence of their usefulness. Beyond teaching particular techniques, the book strives to create real comfort with the underlying notions of statistical thinking. Grasping such ideas is essential if they are to be used with competence and confidence. Consistent with the theme of Applied Statistics, the book contains hundreds of worked examples, analyses of actual data, and practice exercises that serve as key components of the pedagogy. For example, we will explore with data which couples are the best candidates for in vitro fertilization, whether temperatures in New York City have been rising in a matter consistent with climate change, whether the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster was all but inevitable, when bystanders are least likely to help people in trouble, and what statistical evidence is considered compelling in job-discrimination case.

Praises on the book:

"A patient, humorous and experienced voice presents applied statistics in an intuitive, engaging and mathematically honest way" - Prof. Susan Martonosi, Harvey Mudd College

"A unique approach.... Delightful.....an uncanny ability to explain intuitively even the most opaque concepts" - Prof. Amedeo Odoni, MIT

About the Author

Arnold I. Barnett is George Eastman Professor of Management Science and Professor of Statistics at MIT's Sloan School of Management. He has received the President's Award and Expository Writing Award from INFORMS, and the President's Citation from the Flight Safety Foundation for "truly outstanding contributions with respect to safety." At MIT, he has been honored by students 13 times for outstanding teaching of Probability and Statistics.