Elementary Statistics

Changes in the Second Edition

Significant changes have been made in the second edition of Elementary Statistics. All chapters have been rewritten for the purpose of updating and expanding the material, fine-tuning the organization, and adding new sections where appropriate. The entire manuscript has been edited to provide for a smoother and more succinct presentation. Here are a few more of the many changes made in the second edition.



The number of exercises has been substantially increased: Approximately 1300 exercises now appear in the book, roughly a 30% increase from the numbers in the first edition.

Chapter 1 (The Nature of Statistics) now includes an optional section that discusses the role of computers in contemporary statistics and introduces Minitab, both session and menu commands. This prepares the student for the optional computer material in the remainder of the book.

z-scores are now introduced in Chapter 3 (Descriptive Measures), with further treatment in Chapter 6 (The Normal Distribution).

Material has been inserted at the beginning of Chapter 4 (Probability Concepts) to provide the reader with an intuitive description of probability before the more formal presentation commences.

Venn diagrams have been used to introduce the rules of probability, yielding an informal and easy-to-understand approach.

Probability histograms have been included in Chapter 5 (Discrete Random Variables) to provide a visual display of a discrete probability distribution.

The method for determining the z-values corresponding to a specified area under the standard normal curve is now presented in Chapter 6 instead of waiting until Chapter 8.

A discussion of the use of random-number tables and random-number generators has been incorporated into Chapter 7.

A new section on P-values has been included in Chapter 9 (Hypothesis Tests for One Mean or Proportion) to offer an alternative approach to hypothesis testing and to permit further integration of the computer into the course if so desired. Also discussed is the classification of the significance of a hypothesis test according to the size of its P-value.

Chapter 10 (Inferences for Two or More Populations) now contains a section that summarizes inferential methods for two means and presents a strategy for selecting the correct procedure. Exercises are provided for the reader to practice using the strategy.

Neil A. Weiss received his Ph.D. from UCLA in 1970 and subsequently accepted an assistant-professor position at Arizona State University (ASU), where he was ultimately promoted to the rank of full professor. Dr. Weiss has taught statistics, probability, and mathematics—from the freshman level to the advanced graduate level—for more than 30 years. In recognition of his excellence in teaching, he received the Dean’s Quality Teaching Award from the ASU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Dr. Weiss’ comprehensive knowledge and experience ensures that his texts are mathematically and statistically accurate, as well as pedagogically sound.

 

In addition to his numerous research publications, Dr. Weiss is the author of A Course in Probability (Addison-Wesley, 2006). He has also authored or coauthored books in finite mathematics, statistics, and real analysis, and is currently working on a new book on applied regression analysis and the analysis of variance. His texts—well known for their precision, readability, and pedagogical excellence—are used worldwide.

 

Dr. Weiss is a pioneer of the integration of statistical software into textbooks and the classroom, first providing such integration over 20 years ago in the book Introductory Statistics (Addison-Wesley, 1982). Weiss and Addison-Wesley continue that pioneering spirit to this day with the inclusion of some of the most comprehensive Web sites in the field.

 

In his spare time, Dr. Weiss enjoys walking, studying and practicing meditation, and playing hold ’em poker. He is married and has two sons.