Central Tendency and Variability (Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences)

Using a clear, expository style that builds from simple to more complex topics, Weisberg explains how to measure the center and variation on a single variable. Beginning with an exploration of how to measure variables with different numeric or nonnumeric properties, the volume covers such important topics as how to examine distribution of variables, how to measure the spread of a variable in order to see how much the values on the variable differ, how to generalize the sample results to the population, and the use of exploratory data analysis to measure center and spread. Researchers, practitioners, and students who need a "refresher" before doing a bivariate or multivariate analysis will find this book the perfect guide.

I am a Professor in the Department of Political Science at Ohio State University. My research and teaching interests include voting behavior, legislative behavior, and research methods, with a focus on survey research methods and scaling techniques.