Quantitative Methods of Data Analysis for the Physical Sciences and Engineering

This book provides thorough and comprehensive coverage of most of the new and important quantitative methods of data analysis for graduate students and practitioners. In recent years, data analysis methods have exploded alongside advanced computing power, and it is critical to understand such methods to get the most out of data, and to extract signal from noise. The book excels in explaining difficult concepts through simple explanations and detailed explanatory illustrations. Most unique is the focus on confidence limits for power spectra and their proper interpretation, something rare or completely missing in other books. Likewise, there is a thorough discussion of how to assess uncertainty via use of Expectancy, and the easy to apply and understand Bootstrap method. The book is written so that descriptions of each method are as self-contained as possible. Many examples are presented to clarify interpretations, as are user tips in highlighted boxes.

Douglas G. Martinson is a Lamont Research Professor in the Division of Ocean and Climate Physics at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. A physical oceanographer who researches the role of polar oceans in global climate, his research involves the collection of a large amount of data and considerable quantitative analysis. He developed the course on Quantitative Methods of Data Analysis as an Adjunct Professor for the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Columbia University, New York, and received an Outstanding Teacher Award in 2004.