Statistics Explained: A Guide for Social Science Students, 2nd Edition [Paperback]

Perry Hinton (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415332850 | ISBN-13: 978-0415332859 | Publication Date: September 2, 2004 | Edition: 2

Statistics Explained clearly outlines the major statistical tests used by undergraduates in the social sciences. It provides easy-to-understand explanations of how and why they are used and makes statistics much less mysterious. This book:

• Is a simple introduction to the jargon
• Shows you when to be sceptical about statistics
• Guides you in using computers in statistical analysis.

Statistics Explained can be dipped into so that readers can see why a specific analytical procedure was developed and what it is best used for. Readers can also analyse their own data by following the worked examples provided. People who understand statistics are not unusual. Anyone can do it. In this book, Perry Hinton shows that statistics can be a logical and helpful tool to all of us in deciding answers to our research questions. Statistics Explained will be warmly welcomed by students at all levels, and by the lecturers who struggle to teach them.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a superb introduction to statistics. It is very well written and easy to read. It represents excellent value and will prove to be a big success with students." - P. Morrison, Wales University College of Medicine, UK

About the Author

Perry R. Hinton, Oxford Brookes University, UK

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 2 edition (September 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415332850
• ISBN-13: 978-0415332859
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #290,259 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great Stats resource!, April 26, 2005

By 

Eric B (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Statistics Explained: A Guide for Social Science Students, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

The only topics missing from this book that I wish had been discussed are validity (concurrent, longitudinal predictive, diagnostic) and item analysis (difficulty and discrimination indexes). A few pages are devoted to reliability, but I would have liked to see more detailed discussion devoted to the differences between the types of reliability measurement (test-retest, split halves, and parallel forms reliability).
These minor points aside, this book is a wonderfully readable and not at all intimidating introduction to statistics. Highly recommended!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Introductory Book, December 26, 2007

By 

MAURICIO AGUIAR (Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Statistics Explained: A Guide for Social Science Students, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

Professor Hinton's book provides the reader with the best and clearest explanations for potentially difficult subjects such as Types I and II errors, the meaning of the sums of squares in ANOVA, and the interpretation of Pearson's R in regression. Those are topics that many beginners find hard to grasp. If you have learned "how to do" Statistics but are not sure you understand the underlying concepts this book is for you. If you need a theoretically sound review of basic Statistical concepts, at the same time as readable as possible, this book is for you too. Professor Hinton has an incredible way of explaining hard topics in crystal-clear, easily understandable detail. He does not take anything for granted. Even those afraid of Statistics may find pleasure in reading Hinton's book - the pleasure that comes from thoroughly understanding a concept. This is the second edition of a great book.

Interestingly enough, if you go to Professor Hinton's Oxford Brookes University website you will see that he is not listed as a Statistics Professor. According to the website he is responsible for managing the Institute's portfolio of undergraduate modular programmes in Communication, Media and Culture; Early Childhood Studies, Education and Human Development; English Language and Linguistics; Performing Arts; Philosophy; Religion, Culture and Ethics; Sports and Coaching.

Not the typical Statistics author. Certainly not the typical Statistics book. Highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worthy addition to my statistics bookshelf, November 18, 2008

By 

Peter Alfheim (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Statistics Explained: A Guide for Social Science Students, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

A reasonably sized book that delivers thoughtful explanations, as promised in the title. On average, each chapter is 15-page long, therefore it can be read while enjoying a cup of tea. And then you can go to bed satisfied that you actually finished a chapter today, and finally understood why they call it the power of a test.

ANOVA seems to form the core of this book, in its various guises and usages. But my favorite chapter is the last one, which introduces the general linear model as an umbrella for most statistical concepts presented in the book. This has been a fresh take on the whole subject for me when I first read it.

I take away one star because the book has no exercises for the readers to sharpen their pencils. The chapters contain some worked examples, but these are not enough for students. So you would need another book for that purpose. Also, this book is very light on probability topics.