You are here

Intermediate Statistics
Share
Share

Intermediate Statistics
A Conceptual Course



August 2012 | 448 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Intermediate Statistics: A Conceptual Course is a student-friendly text for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses. It begins with an introductory chapter that reviews descriptive and inferential statistics in plain language, avoiding extensive emphasis on complex formulas. The remainder of the text covers 13 different statistical topics ranging from descriptive statistics to advanced multiple regression analysis and path analysis. Each chapter contains a description of the logic of each set of statistical tests or procedures and then introduces students to a series of data sets using SPSS, with screen captures and detailed step-by-step instructions. Students acquire an appreciation of the logic of descriptive and inferential statistics, and an understanding of which techniques are best suited to which kinds of data or research questions.


 
Chapter 1: A Review of Basic Statistical Concepts
 
Chapter 2: Descriptive Statistics
 
Chapter 3: Linear and Curvilinear Correlation
 
Chapter 4: Non-Parametric Statistics (Tests Involving Nominal Variables)
 
Chapter 5: Reliability (and a Little Bit of Factor Analysis)
 
Chapter 6: Single-sample and two-sample t-tests
 
Chapter 7: One-way and Factorial Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
 
Chapter 8: Within-Subjects and Mixed Model Analyses
 
Chapter 9: Multiple Regression
 
Chapter 10: Examining Interactions in Multiple Regression
 
Chapter 11: ANCOVA, Covariate Adjusted Means, and Predicted Scores
 
Chapter 12: Suppressor Variables
 
Chapter 13: Mediation and Path Analysis
 
Chapter 14: Data Cleaning
 
Chapter 15: Data Merging and Data Management
 
Chapter 16: Avoiding Bias: Characterizing without Capitalizing

“The text is highly readable, and the author has done a good job making difficult topics like path analysis easy for students to comprehend. As much as possible, the author uses simple language and explains things in ways that students would be able to grasp. His incorporation of numerous examples helps to facilitate this goal as well.”

Rebecca Brooks
Ohio Northern University

“The key strengths of this text are is applied perspective, focusing on conceptual understanding of data analyses rather than arcane statistical proofs. It finds just the right balance of technical, conceptual and practical perspectives. In addition, the heavy reliance on real-world examples and supplemental information in appendices will render it an invaluable resource for young graduate students as they progress in their research training.”

Charlie L. Reeve
University of North Carolina Charlotte

“This is a breath of fresh air compared to most statistics texts—rigorous but highly readable. The author does an impressive job of making statistical concepts feel intuitive. In addition, the integration of datasets and SPSS problems to solve make this book unique.”

Michael J. Poulin
University at Buffalo

This is an excellent textbook but for our purposes this would be more suitable on a postgraduate level.

Dr Gert Kruger
Department of Psychology, University of Johannesburg
drupal

The book is userfriendly, with examples/hypothetical studies that are very helpful and entertaining, making statistical analysis almost fun for a non-statistician. Although we do not use SPSS statistics software programming for our data analysis, the syntax and examples provided are very helpful.

Dr Johanita Burger
Pharmacy, North-West University
drupal

This book is well-written and covers a range of important statistical methods. However, I would have preferred more emphasis on the mathematics and less on SPSS (even though I realise that students have a tendency to rely heavily upon the programme).

Dr Michelle To
Department of Psychology, Hull University
drupal

Clearly written with essential chapters on more advanced topics (appropriate use of ANCOVA; path analysis). Recommended for graduate students in clinical psychology.

Dr Sunjeev Kamboj
Research Department of Clinical, Eductional and Health Psychology, University College London
drupal

A well written book that provides a wonderful coverage of a range of key statistical concepts. Particularly useful for regression analysis as it covers variants of this method that are rarely seen in other statistics books for the same audience. I am not adopting this book however as apart from this it adds very little over and above what is currently being used by my students, the interactive SPSS data sets and screenshots are also a little dated by comparison. A very good book, just doesn't do enough different for it to be adopted.

Mr David Saunders
Division of Psychology, Northampton Univ.
drupal

I consider this book as the next in line after digesting Neil Salkind book - Statistics for people who hate statistics. I would recommend this book to Geography post-graduates given that the conceptual approach adopted in this book.

Mr Ritienne Gauci
Department of Geography, University of Malta
drupal

Perfect for my course, both in terms of the way that the chapters are very similar to my course outline but also with the incorporation of SPSS

Norah Shultz
Sociology Dept, San Diego State University
drupal
Key features

Key Features

  • Emphasizes familiar logic and minimizes complex hand calculations: The text includes some simple hand calculations which are then repeated in SPSS, serving as a confidence builder for more complex analyses (for which SPSS is used)
  • Includes real research questions, many using real data sets: Students not only learn about a classic study but analyze one of the data sets, and interpret and critique the findings
  • Shows how to write about statistics in APA style: Examples are provided in the chapters, with excerpts from published papers included in the Appendix
  • Consistently takes a hands-on approach to statistics: By working with the data, students are compelled to think about what the numbers behind their analyses actually mean
  • Employs a reader-friendly, narrative writing style: Helping students to stay motivated, the text makes sure to identify questions requiring an answer by pulling them out of the narrative
  • Class-tested with students at three universities over the course of 10 years: The textbook comes with a set of ideal answers to all of the statistical problems set, making it easy for instructors to grade the assignments that are woven into each chapter

Sample Materials & Chapters

toc

ch 1

ch 6