Introductory Statistics - Hardcover

Neil-a-weiss-matthew-hassett

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0201532700 ISBN 13: 9780201532708

Publisher: Addison-Wesley Pub (Sd), 1995

Synopsis

Introductory Statistics textbook.

About this title

About the Author:

About the Author

Neil A. Weiss received his Ph.D. from UCLA in 1970 and subsequently accepted an Assistant-Professor position at Arizona State University, where he was ultimately promoted to therank of Full Professor. Dr. Weiss has taught statistics, probability, andmathematics-from the freshman level to the advanced graduate level-for morethan 30 years. In recognition of his excellence in teaching, Dr. Weiss received the Dean's Quality Teaching Award from the ASU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.   This comprehensive knowledge andexperience ensures that Weiss's texts are mathematically and statistically accurate as well as pedagogically sound.

In addition to his numerous research publications, Dr. Weiss has authored or co-authored books in finite mathematics, statistics, and real analysis, and is currently working on two new books: one in probability theory and the other in applied regression analysis and analysisof variance. Weiss's 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 this 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 has two sons.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

Introductory Statistics, 7e

Preface

Using and understanding statistics andstatistical procedures have become required skills in virtually everyprofession and academic discipline. The purpose of this book is to helpstudents grasp basic statistical concepts and techniques, and to present real-life opportunities for applying them.

About This Book

The text is intended for a one- or two-semestercourse and for quarter-system courses as well. Instructors can easily fit thetext to the pace and depth they prefer. Introductory high school algebra is asufficient prerequisite. Although mathematically and statistically sound, theapproach doesn't require students to examine complex concepts such asprobability theory and random variables. Students need only understand basicideas such as percentages and histograms.

Advances in technology and newinsights into the practice of teaching statistics have inspired many of thepedagogical strategies used in the Seventh Edition of IntroductoryStatistics,leading to more emphasis on conceptual understanding and less emphasis oncomputation.

Highlights of the Approach

ASA/MAA-GuidelinesCompliant. We followASA/MAA guidelines to stress the interpretation of statistical results, thecontemporary applications of statistics, and the importance of criticalthinking.

Unique Variable-Centered Approach. By consistent and proper use of theterms variable and population, we unified and clarified the various statistical concepts.

Data Analysis and Exploration. We incorporate an extensive amount ofdata analysis and exploration in the text and exercises. Recognizing that notall readers have access to technology, we provide ample opportunity to analyzeand explore data without the use of a computer or statistical calculator.

Detailed and Careful Explanations. We include every step of explanationthat a typical reader might need. Our guiding principle is to avoid cognitivejumps, making the learning process smooth and enjoyable. We believe thatdetailed and careful explanations result in better understanding.

Emphasis on Application. Weconcentrate on the application of statistical techniques to the analysis ofdata. Although statistical theory has been kept to a minimum, we provide athorough explanation of the rationale for the use of each statisticalprocedure.

Parallel Critical-Value/P-Value Approaches. Through aparallel presentation, the book offers complete flexibility in the coverage ofthe critical-value and P-valueapproaches to hypothesis testing-either one or both approaches can be exploredand compared.

ParallelPresentations of Technology.The book offers complete flexibility in the coverage of technology,which includes options for use of Minitab, Excel, and the TI-83/84 Plus. One or more technologies can beexplored and compared.

New and Hallmark Features

Chapter-Opening Features. Included at the beginning of eachchapter is a general description of the chapter, an explanation of how thechapter relates to the text as a whole, and an outline that lists the sectionsin the chapter. Each chapter opens with a classic or contemporary case studythat highlights the real-world relevance of the material. (Case studies arereviewed and discussed at the end of the chapter.) More than one-third of thecase studies are new or updated.

Real-World Examples.Every concept discussed in the text is illustrated by at least onedetailed example. The examples are based on real-life situations and werechosen for their interest level as well as for their illustrative value.

Interpretation Boxes. This feature presents the meaning and significance of statisticalresults in everyday language. Instead of just obtaining the answers or results,students are shown the importance of interpretation.

What Does It Mean?.This feature, found in the margin at appropriate places, states in"plain English" the meaning of definitions, formulas, and key facts. It is alsoused to summarize various expository discussions.

Data Sets. In most examples and many exercises, we present both raw data and summarystatistics. This practice gives a more realistic view of statistics andprovides an opportunity for students to solve problems by computer orstatistical calculator, if so desired. Hundreds of data sets are included, manyof which are new or updated. All data sets, including large ones, are availablein multiple formats on the WeissStats CD.

Procedure Boxes: Why, When, and How. To help students learnstatistical procedures, we developed easy-to-follow, step-by-step methods forcarrying them out. Each step is highlighted and presented again within theillustrating example. This approach shows how the procedure is applied andhelps students master its steps.

The procedure boxes havebeen reformatted to include the "why, when, and how" of the methods. Usually, aprocedure has a brief identifying title followed by a statement of its purpose(why it's used), the assumptions for its use (when it's used), and the stepsfor applying the procedure (how it's used). The procedures have been combinedinto a new, single split format for ease of use and comparison.

The Technology Center.The in-text coverage of statistical technology includes three of themost popular applications: Minitab, Excel, and the TI-83/84 Plus graphingcalculators. We provide instructions and output for the most recent versions ofthese applications, including Release 14 of Minitab. The Technology Centers areintegrated as optional material.

Computer Simulations. Computer simulations appear in both the text and theexercises. The simulations serve as pedagogical aids for understanding complexconcepts such as sampling distributions.

Exercises. Over 1700 exercises provide current,real-world applications and were constructed from an extensive variety ofarticles in newspapers, magazines, statistical abstracts, journals, and Websites; sources are explicitly cited. The exercises help students learn thematerial and, moreover, show that statistics is a lively and relevant discipline.We updated exercises wherever appropriate and have provided many new ones.Exercises related to optional materials are marked with asterisks unless theentire section is optional.

Most section exercise sets are divided intothree categories. Statistical Concepts and Skillsexercises help students master the skills and concepts explicitly discussed inthe section.

Extending the Concepts and Skills exercises invite students to extend their skills byexamining material not necessarily covered in the text. Exercises thatintroduce new concepts are highlighted in blue.

Using Technologyexercises provide students with an opportunity to apply and interpret thecomputing and statistical capabilities of Minitab, Excel, the TI-83/84 Plus,SPSS, or any other statistical technology.

End-of-Chapter Features:

Chapter Reviews. Each chapter review includes chapterobjectives, a list of Key Terms with page references, and a Review Test to help students reviewand study the chapter. Items related to optional materials are marked withasterisks unless the entire chapter is optional.

Award-Winning Internet Projects. Each chapter includes an InternetProject to engage students in active and collaborative learning throughsimulations, demonstrations, and other activities, and guide them throughapplications by using Internet links to access data and other informationprovided by the vast resources of the World Wide Web. The Internet Projects are featured on the Weiss Web site at www.aw-bc.com/weiss.

Focusing on Data Analysis. A brand new database has been constructed for the Focusing on Data Analysis feature, which appears in every chapter. Students can conduct various statistical analyses on these data sets, using the technologyof their choice. This feature gives students an opportunity to work with largedata sets, to practice using technology, and to discover the many methods ofexploring and analyzing data.

The Focus Database contains information on 13variables for the undergraduate students attending the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire (UWEC).

Statistical analyses can be performed for the entire population of UWEC students for topicsthat require population data.

The database can be sampled to perform statistical analyses that require sampledata (e.g., inference).

The database lends itself to interesting and informative class projects, asillustrated in the Chapters 8 and 9 Focusing on Data Analysis sections.

The Focus Database is included on the WeissStats CD.

Case Study Discussion. At the end of the chapter, thechapter-opening case study is reviewed and discussed in light of the chapter'smajor points, and then problems are presented for students to solve.

StatExplore in MyMathLab. StatExplore is online statistical software available through the Weiss MyMathLab Course. At the end of each chapter of the book, we illustratethe use of StatExplore to perform a statistical analysis discussed in thechapter. For best results, students should implement the steps we present andthereby obtain the StatExplore output for themselves. Exercises encouragestudents to further apply StatExplore to other statistical analyses examined inthe chapter.

Biographical Sketches.Each chapter ends with a brief biography of a famous statistician.Besides being of general interest, these biographies help students obtain aperspective on the development of the science of statistics.

Procedure Index.Because of the numerous statistical procedures available, finding aspecific one is sometimes difficult. Consequently, we include a ProcedureIndex (located inside the back cover of the book), which provides a quick and easyway to find the right procedure fo...

About this edition

• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Pub (Sd)
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0201532700
• ISBN 13: 9780201532708
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 4
• Number of pages: 939