Statistical Models in Epidemiology [Hardcover]

David Clayton (Author), Michael Hills (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 5, 1993 | ISBN-10: 0198522215 | ISBN-13: 978-0198522218 | Edition: 1

The most important concept in statistics is the probability model. Only by fully understanding this model can one fully understand statistical analysis. Utilizing models in epidemiology, the authors of this self-contained account have chosen to emphasize the role of likelihood. This approach to statistics is both simple and intuitively satisfying. More complex problems can be tackled by natural extensions of the simple methods. This exploration of the statistical basis of epidemiology has been written specifically for professionals and graduate students in epidemiology, clinical epidemiology, or biostatistics. The simple prerequisite--basic training in biology--assumes no previous knowledge and the mathematics is deliberately kept at a manageable level. Based on a highly successful course by two internationally known authors, this book explains the essentials of statistics for all epidemiologists.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Unlike many textbooks in epidemiology, there is no long wordy preamble. The characteristic style is set straight away. The book is also highly successful in presenting a unified approach. What is also striking, is that the authors have managed to say something useful and clear about many of the all too numerous minor problems that are inevitably encountered in practice. In my view this is simply an excellent text.' Andrew Pickles, Institute of Psychiatry, London, Statistical Methods in Medical Research 1994:3

`an excellent text which provides the simplest and most logical exposition that I have seen of the statistical foundations for current techniques for analysing epidemiological data, and provides an excellent preparation for more detailed treatments' Australasian Epidemiological Association News, 12/94

`provides probably the most coherent and logical exposition of the use of statistical models in epidemiology that is currently available ... an excellent text which provides the simplest and most logical exposition that I have seen of the statistical foundations for current techniques for analysing epidemiological data, and provides an excellent preparation for more detailed treatments.' AEA News 12/94

`Clayton and Hill have filled the gap with an interesting text which is based mainly on probability models and likelihood. This is an unusual approach. but is precisely what is missing in many other textbooks for epidemiologists ... this is an important text for those interested in understanding statistical reasoning in epidemiology.' Maria Blettner, International Journal of Epidemiology

The book covers virtually the whole field of basic epidemiological techniques. They are summarized clearly and succinctly ... Reading this book made me feel that I was sitting listening to someone who has a wide grasp of practical modelling, a firm basis in theory and a gift for clear explanation. It is difficult to recommend it too highly.

`The authors have produced a text that will be extremely valuable to those teaching epidemiologic methods... Statistical Models in Epidemiology courageously cuts new paths into the traditional epidemiologic approach to statistical training.' Journal of the American Statistics Association

`this book gives some very clear explanations ... Each point is well illustrated with small examples and there are exercises throughout. It is pleasing to see full solution to all the exercises.' Public Health (1994) 108

About the Author

David Clayton is at MRC Biostatistics Unit, Cambridge. Michael Hills is at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 376 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1 edition (August 5, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198522215
• ISBN-13: 978-0198522218
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #948,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding mongraph for biostatisticians, October 31, 2001

By 

Stefan Ma (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Statistical Models in Epidemiology (Hardcover)

I find all other so-called biostatistics books are helpless
until I have read this book. This book is written based on
Clayton and Hills's past experience in applying statistics
in their studies. They can illustrate most difficult concepts
by very simple examples and words which are totally differnt
than other text and teaching books. For other books, you
can learn a lot of various statistical techniques, but you
cannot understand what is the core idea behind the statistics.
You may get it from this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Clearly illustrates challenging concepts, February 8, 2009

By 

Sunny (Chapel Hill, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Statistical Models in Epidemiology (Hardcover)

The purpose of this book is to illustrate fundamental concepts involved in statistical epidemiology. It is not a data analysis book. Very few texts in statistics are able to clearly explain difficult concepts (in my opinion). This book is a rare exception (and Agresti, 2002, 2007). For example, it made it easy to understand conditional likelihood. In addition, the text provides problems throughout each section, and provides detailed solutions for each one.