Statistics Translated: A Step-by-Step Guide to Analyzing and Interpreting Data.

摘要

"The science of statistics is nothing more than the use of arithmetic tools to help us examine numeric data we have collected and make decisions based on our examination" (p. 2) is how Statistics Translated defines statistics. This is an introductory statistics book intended for math-phobic people who must use statistical techniques. It would serve well as a refresher of introductory statistics for students needing it in a later Research Methods course, or for a student needing to learn it on their own for a social science. The tone of the writing is light and supportive but always pushing forward. Throughout the book, readers are walked through the arithmetic of the standard parametric hypothesis tests to demonstrate that, while perhaps tedious to do by hand, the calculations are not difficult. Readers are then led through how to do and interpret each test in SPSS, because it is, in Terrell's opinion, "the easiest to use and comprehend." Numerous case studies, pulled mainly from educational research, help reinforce stating of hypotheses and identifying which test to use and how to interpret the results. Each chapter concludes with questions that have answers in the back of the book to test the reader's comprehension.