PA 5205 - Statistics for Planning

The fourth edition of this popular book by Jessica Utts develops statistical literacy and critical thinking through real-world applications, with an emphasis on ideas, not calculations. This text focuses on the key concepts that educated citizens need to know about statistics. These ideas are introduced in interesting applied and real contexts, without using an abundance of technicalities and calculations that only serve to confuse students.

Renowned for its clear prose and no-nonsense emphasis on core concepts, Statistics covers fundamentals using real examples to illustrate the techniques. The Fourth Edition has been carefully revised and updated to reflect current data. New data for the Fourth Edition Continuing to develop statistical concepts using real data, the Fourth Edition features intriguing examples from medicine, business, genetics, economics, law, psychology, and other fields. Most of the numbers have been updated for the Fourth Edition. There are new results from the 2000 census, the 2004 Gallup Poll, the 2005 Current Population Survey, and more. Intuitive organization teaches study design early in the text Statistics, Fourth Edition, introduces controlled experiments and observational studies in the first two chapters, developing the ideas of study design before moving on to descriptive statistics, sampling, and inference. Classroom-tested problems Honed by the authors\' teaching experience, the problems in the Fourth Edition test new concepts as they are presented, challenging students to make qualitative judgments and rough estimates as well as numerical calculations. Assumptions underlying the correct use of statistical procedures are explored in detail, as are the consequences of using techniques when assumptions are not satisfied. Accessible coverage and pedagogy In clear and direct prose, this classic text conveys statistics as a way of thinking about the world rather than as a set of abstract concepts. Beyond the examples of current interest, there are engaging historical examples to illustrate enduring questions of statistical analysis. Mathematical concepts are integrated with the reading to ensure that students understand the relation between the concepts and the real world. There are many computer graphics to display the data, as well as freehand working drawings. On the lighter side, the Fourth Edition features cartoons by New Yorker artists Dana Fradon and Leo Cullum.