Statistics

by William Lee Hays

Statistics (4th Edition) [Hardcover] William L. Hays (Author) This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0030024641
• ISBN13: 9780030024641
• Release Date: January 1988
• Publisher: Holt McDougal
• Length: 1029 Pages
• Weight: 3.50 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Excellent if you are not a minor in the field anymore

'Hays' is truely a classic; one of the few books that will stay close at hand as long as I work (as an applied social scientist). It did not teach me statistics, but since then the book has helped me many times to understand statistics a bit better. Don't use it as an introduction to the field. Reach for this book every time you want to know more about "why so" after you have learned "how to do".

Stats on the BRAIN

Although the edition is full or grammatical and even mathematical errors (thank God our prof points each of these out), the text itself has been very useful and allows for the enhancement of one's statistical knowledge. The only reason it did not get a 5-Star is due to the faulty and unprofessional errors. The author really needs to find a new editor.

Masterpiece

This text is a true CLASSIC in the field of statistics. It is unique, extremely well-written, and a book you will return to time after time if you are serious about learning and understanding statistics. Hays' unique style is such that in his explanations, he takes you a step back, then two steps forward. While it can be said that some writers on statistics don't really understand the subject themselves (which makes it almost impossible to learn from them), this is definitely not the case with Hays's text. Hays' grasp of statistics is unmatched.

Invaluable reference; Not for pleasure reading

Hays's text is not meant for everyone; hence the mixed reviews. It was not the primary source from which I gained my knowledge of statistics; however it serves as an invaluable reference. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I had little difficulty understanding the material as Hays presented it. Some of the criticisms are points well-taken; for example a lack of annotation in the power tables at the end of the book (which are still decipherable if you know what you're looking at).This text is for the mathematically inclined-it is not a "how-to" book, rather a "why" book that thoroughly explains the theory behind a variety of popular inferential techniques. If this is the sort of knowledge you are seeking, Hays is the book for you. If you are interested in a more "common-sense" or applied approach, perhaps you should look elsewhere.

Books are like friends

In contrast to and to balance with Eric Van Denburg's review, I have always found Hays's book transparent and easy to get on with. I still recommend students (speech therapy and human communication) to Statistics when they have questions not easily answered by their normal texts. Never have I had a complaint from them. It just goes to show that books are like friends - some people will get along well with a particular book, while others can't stand it.