Statistics without mathematics / David J. Bartholomew.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bartholomew, David J., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Social sciences--Methodology.

Social sciences.

Statistics.

Physical Description:

xiii, 174 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Los Angeles : SAGE, [2016]

Summary:

This is a book about the ideas that drive statistics. It is an ideal primer for students who need an introduction to the concepts of statistics without the added confusion of technical jargon and mathematical language. It introduces the intuitive thinking behind standard procedures, explores the process of informal reasoning, and uses conceptual frameworks to provide a foundation for students new to statistics. It showcases the expertise we have all developed from living in a data saturated society, increases our statistical literacy and gives us the tools needed to approach statistical mathematics with confidence. Key topics include: variability, standard distributions, correlation, relationship, sampling, inference, An engaging, informal introduction, this book sets out the conceptual tools required by anyone undertaking statistical procedures for the first time or for anyone needing a fresh perspective whilst studying the work of others. Book jacket.

Contents:

0 Before We Begin 1

Role of Mathematics in Statistics 1

Numbers 3

Variation 4

Measurement 4

Origins of Statistics 7

In Conclusion 8

1 Picturing Variability 9

Introduction 9

Picturing Variation 10

Other Ways of Picturing Variability 20

2 Interpreting Variability 23

Introduction 23

Adding and Differencing 26

Other Transformations (Shifting, Stretching and Squeezing) 30

3 Three Standard Distributions 35

Introduction 35

The Uniform Distribution 36

The Exponential Distribution 37

The Normal Distribution 42

4 Summarising Variation 47

Introduction 47

Measuring Location 48

Measuring Spread (or Dispersion) 50

Standard Deviation and the Normal Distribution 53

Other Summary Measures of a Distribution 54

5 The Analysis of Variation 55

Introduction 55

The Archetypal Problem 57

Comparison of Several Groups 59

Quantitative Reasons for Variation 62

The Essential Idea 64

The Analysis of Variance 64

6 Covariation 69

Introduction 69

Measurement of Covariance and Correlation 74

Principle of Least Squares 77

7 Sampling 81

Introduction 81

Drawing a Simple Random Sample 84

Other Random Sampling Methods 85

Drawing Samples from a Distribution 86

8 Introduction to the Ideas of Inference 89

Introduction 89

The Essence of the Testing Problem 90

A Second Kind of Inference 94

9 Sampling Distributions and More on Inference 97

Introduction 97

Sampling Distribution of the Average 99

Sampling Distribution of the Variance 103

Note on the Determination of Sampling

Distributions 105

Inference Continued 105

Non-Normal Sampling Distributions 108

10 Inference about Averages 111

Introduction 111

Inference from a Single Sample 112

Comparison of Two Samples 115

More than Two Samples 116

The Assumptions 119

Power 121

11 Binary Data 123

Introduction 123

The Binomial Distribution 124

Rare Events 127

Durations 130

Relationship between Binary Variables 132

12 Goodness of Fit 135

Introduction 135

The Sampling Distribution 138

Goodness of Eit of a Normal Distribution 141

The 2 x 2 Table 144

13 Unobserved Variables 147

Introduction 147

The 'Spurious Correlation' Approach 148

The Index Approach 149

The Inheritance of Intelligence: Nature versus Nurture 154

Latent Variables in Social Science 155

14 Retrospect 157

Review 157

Further Reading 164.

ISBN:

9781473902459

1473902452

9781473902442

1473902444

OCLC:

928402181