An Introduction to Generalized Linear Models, Second Edition [Paperback]

Annette J. Dobson (Author), Annette .J. Dobson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 28, 2001 | ISBN-10: 1584881658 | ISBN-13: 978-1584881650 | Edition: 2

Generalized linear models provide a unified theoretical and conceptual framework for many of the most commonly used statistical methods. In the ten years since publication of the first edition of this bestselling text, great strides have been made in the development of new methods and in software for generalized linear models and other closely related models.

Thoroughly revised and updated, An Introduction to Generalized Linear Models, Second Edition continues to initiate intermediate students of statistics, and the many other disciplines that use statistics, in the practical use of these models and methods. The new edition incorporates many of the important developments of the last decade, including survival analysis, nominal and ordinal logistic regression, generalized estimating equations, and multi-level models. It also includes modern methods for checking model adequacy and examples from an even wider range of application.

Statistics can appear to the uninitiated as a collection of unrelated tools. An Introduction to Generalized Linear Models, Second Edition illustrates how these apparently disparate methods are examples or special cases of a conceptually simple structure based on the exponential family of distribution, maximum likelihood estimation, and the principles of statistical modelling.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Chapman and Hall/CRC; 2 edition (November 28, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584881658
• ISBN-13: 978-1584881650
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,864,863 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars clear writing and nice examples, January 23, 2008

By 

Michael R. Chernick "statman31147" (Holland PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Introduction to Generalized Linear Models, Second Edition (Paperback)

Bill recommended Dobson's text because of her clear writing style and many useful examples. Dobson also places the theory in the context of the general exponential family of distributions. As I knew that the second edition was about to come out I waited for it.

The wait seems to have been very worthwhile. The second edition is a real bargin.... She has updated it with the many advances that have occurred over the past 12 years since the first edition was printed. This edition now includes some discussion of generalized additive models, broader coverage of applications as survival analysis, GEE, multi-level models and nominal and ordinal logistic regression have been added. It now offers the reader more applications in a wider variety of disciplines and includes modern approaches to diagnostic checking of the models.

As with the first edition, exploratory techniques are emphasized particularly graphical methods. The goal is to unify the apparently disparate statistical techniques that students are exposed to, into one general modeling framework.

It includes a nice up-to-date bibliography and recent advanced results on longitudinal models. The level is intermediate statistics with introductory statistics and linear models taken to be prerequisites. Students are also required to have some familiarity with calculus and linear algebra.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars -, April 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: An Introduction to Generalized Linear Models, First Edition (Chapman & Hall/CRC Texts in Statistical Science) (Paperback)

This book provides a surprisingly brief and gentle, yet thorough, introduction to the subject of modeling dependent variables that are not continuous (see note below). The reader, who should be familiar with calculus-based probability, may initially find it frustrating that the actual practice of modeling nominal data is not discussed until the last two chapters (of 9). However, the cause for delaying the discussion of these models is to introduce the terminology and methodology of generalized linear models through more familiar linear regression models.

Thus, while this book is not ideal for someone who wants to jump right into the thick of building logistic, loglinear, or other models for nominal data, it is quite suitable for those wishing a thorough introduction to the practice of generalized linear modeling. For greater detail, a thicker book like McCullagh & Nelder's _Generalized Linear Models_ would be suitable.

Note: While the term "Generalized Linear Models" includes linear regression models (i.e., models for continuous dependent variables), reading this book is not the easiest way to be introduced to regression. A better starting point would be Draper & Smith's _Applied Regression Analysis_ or Weisberg's _Applied Linear Regression_.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent concept - Execution could be better, August 4, 2002

By 

mark r schultz (natick, ma USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Introduction to Generalized Linear Models, Second Edition (Paperback)

I wish somebody would write a concise tutorial of the matematics required for an "intermediate" book such as Dobson's. Undoubtedly for someone whose acquaintence with modern statitical methods is more current this book is a gem. For someone like myself who wants a refresher and whose math is a bit rusty it leaves something to be desired. Some of the theoretical derivations in chapters 3 and 4 (keys to the understanding of the rest of the book) would be improved by a bit more detail and a thoroughly worked example. A major shortcoming is the lack of answers to the excercises; I don't see how the book was published without them. If the book was 100 pages longer with the addition of the aforementioned material, I would have given it a five star rating.