Statistics: A Spectator Sport

By Richard M. Jaeger

Book Overview

"Richard M. Jaeger does such a good job of communicating the concept in nontechnical and applicable terms. In particular, I like Jaeger′s emphasis on understanding the logic of the methods and interpreting statistical reports. His book provides the student with an alternative explanation of the underlying logic of statistical methods that I provide in class. Students have found Jaeger to be very understandable-- I have had almost universal praise of Jaeger. . . . Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this book is its clear exposition of some rather complex concepts. Jaeger′s explanations are clear, he uses realistic and generally understandable examples, and does not take himself too seriously. . . . This is an excellent nontechnical statistics text."

--Barry Nocks, Clemson University

"(This book) has become one of my favorite resources and references. I love reading it. It offers pleasant reading that is interesting and completely comprehensible. And most important, it has improved my understanding of the concepts that had previously eluded me. Thank you again for offering the definitive aid to understanding the world of statistics. Who would have believed that such a topic could have been presented so wonderfully?"

--Elaine R. Kersten, Doctoral Candidate,

University of Massachusetts at Amherst

From the First Edition:

"The premise is that many of us need an understanding of statistics in order to become intelligent consumers of the reports and research generated by business, government, social scientists, and educators. . . The style is lucid and lively. A careful reading of this book could well make one reexamine the old cliche about lies, damn lies, and statistics."

--Choice

"Using clear explanations (and excluding the equations), readers learn from examples how to understand what statistics are, what they mean, and how they are used and interpreted, particularly in the social and behavioral sciences. Includes problems with answers. The book will help anyone who needs to understand statistics."

--Journal of the Institute of Health Education

"I found the author′s presentation clear and readable. He introduces the different types of case study in a very logical manner, well illustrated with practical examples, and accompanied with helpful guidelines to encourage researchers to consider a broader range of research methods. . . . I would recommend this book to novices and established researchers alike. It has good breadth and depth of coverage presented in a very digestible form."

--Statistician

"Well-written; Richard M. Jaeger′s lighthearted style, so often lacking in statistical texts, makes enjoyable reading. Because it starts with the basics of making sense of numbers and works its way gently up to some more complex statistical techniques, the book will be useful to the complete novice as well as the more experienced number cruncher."

--Nursing Standard

"Comprehensive text, clear illustrations, and an outstanding glossary. . . . An excellent resource. . . . An invaluable reference. . . . No graduate student . . . in a statistics course should be without it "

--ANNA Journal

Popular in its first edition with researchers and practitioners and widely adopted for undergraduate and graduate courses, the new second edition continues to give readers a conceptual understanding of statistics without becoming mired down in statistical computations. Presuming no statistical background and beginning with the most fundamental methods for drawing statistical inferences to a variety of real-world applications, Richard M. Jaeger clearly describes and illustrates statistical procedures. New to the second edition are chapters on John Tukey′s exploratory data analysis, including stem-and-leaf displays, a new chapter on threats to internal and external validity, a complete revamp of the measurement chapter to bring it up-to-date with the latest edition of the Standard for Educational and Psychological Testing, and updated examples of research applications in every chapter. Specific examples are drawn from the files of the Educational Resources Information Centers (ERIC), and a complete glossary of statistical terms, as well as a new subject index, are provided.

An excellent resource for both undergraduate and graduate students, or anyone else desiring statistical comprehension.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0803934211
• ISBN13: 9780803934214
• Release Date: July 1990
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Statistics: A spectator sport

This was recommended to me by my advisor as I prepare for my Ph.D. comps. It is a thorough review of statistics, and has made my review of statistics and methodology much more effective and organized.

As a student, it made the difference...

...between simply regurgitating what I needed on the exams, and understanding the subject. I borrowed a friend's copy, and suddenly statistics, the Big Problem course for me, became fun.Now I work in a field where I crunch a lot of numbers, and I could recite the ideas in this book in my sleep. I still keep a copy on hand for two reasons:1) I'm often called on to expain my conclusions in "layman's terms" (yikes!). Jaeger's presentation is thorough and clear; I re-read his passages to remind myself how to say things clearly.2) I also often work with people who are over-educated in some endevours, but badly under-educated in statistics. They're often using numbers to make decisions, and using them clumsily. I lend them Jaeger, with a stern warning that if I don't get it back in a timely fashion, there will be dire consequences (I give them about 2 weeks - usually enough for them to decide they need their own copy).So, if... 1) you need to crunch numbers but think you hate statistics, or2) you are a student, and you think you hate your statistics coursework, or3) you're having trouble explaining things to people who think they hate statisticsget this book (there are probably lots of other reasons I've omitted).

You Say You Want A Revolution. . . . . .

Jaeger's book is the standard bearer to the "Statistical Revolution." That is, Statistics made fun and easy. The drudgery of laboring over ponderous Statistics books is gone!Jaeger's book is an absolute must for those people who simply want to understand statistics; as they appear in various business and government reports, polls, and professional research papers. Jaeger proves that you don't have to fill your head with a bunch of equations and Greek letters to understand and appreciate the beauty of statistics. In reality, as Jaeger so expertly points out, Statistics is a straight forward subject that has been misused, abused, and poorly taught throughout the ages. This book does not teach you how to compute statistics. Why should it? Any electronic spreadsheet worth its salt can calculate the most cumbersome of equations with a single key stroke! Therefore, unlike other books on statistics, this book contains absolutely no equations and a minimum of Greek letters. This book's primary focus is on teaching the "user" of statistical information what statistics are, what they mean, and how to use and interpret them appropriately.The first six chapters in this book focus on descriptive statistics -- such as the measures of central tendency, graphical and tabular presentation of data, disbursement of data about the mean (standard deviation and range), and other similar topics. Chapters 7 through 14 discuss inferential statistics -- such as analysis of variance and hypothesis testing. Chapter 15 addresses advanced topics, such as regression models and forecasting. If you want to be a "producer" of statistics, then this is not the book for you -- look elsewhere! However, if you are in a position where you are presented statistical data to help you make an informed decision, then; by all means, buy this book immediately. This book is ideal for managers in private industry and government agencies who live and die by statistical data -- such as people supervising production, training, quality control, or a method improvement / efficiency cell. This book is also good for military leaders to help them understand and discuss the statistics presented in readiness issues, mobilization topics, and unit readiness. I strongly recommend this book. As a matter of fact, this book will make great reading to accompany the Standard Deviants tapes on statistics. Buy this book! You will never look at statistical data quite the same way again. You will become an "abuser" of statistics worst nightmare -- someone knowledgeable enough to understand and challenge his data. Excellent book. . . .Well worth the price!