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Intermediate Statistics For Dummies
by hand, you often use a computer to get your results. I include instructions
for using Minitab to conduct many of the calculations in this book. Most sta-
tistics teachers who cover these intermediate topics hold this philosophy as
well. (What a relief!)
This book is different from the other intermediate statistics books in many
ways, including the following:
Full explanations of intermediate statistical ideas. Many statistics text-
books squeeze all the intermediate level topics at the very end of their
huge introductory-level textbooks; as a result, these topics tend to get
condensed and presented as if they were optional topics. But no wor-
ries; I take the time to clearly and fully explain all the information you
need to survive and thrive.
Dissection of computer output. Throughout the book, I present many
examples that use statistical software to analyze the data. In each case,
I present the computer output as well as an explanation of how I got the
output and what it means.
An extensive number of examples. I include several examples to cover
the many different types of problems you will face.
Lots of tips, strategies, and warnings. I share with you some of the
trade secrets, based on my experience teaching and supporting students
and grading their papers.
Nonlinear approach. The setup of this book allows you to skip around
in the book and still have easy access and understanding of any given
topic.
Understandable language. I try to keep things conversational to help
you understand, remember, and put into practice statistical definitions,
techniques, and processes.
Clear and concise step-by-step procedures. In most chapters, you can
find steps that intuitively explain how to work through intermediate sta-
tistics problems, and remember how to do it later on.
Conventions Used in This Book
Throughout this book, I’ve used several conventions that I want you to be
aware of:
I indicate multiplication by using a times sign, indicated by a lowered
asterisk, .
*
I also indicate the null and alternative hypotheses as Ho (for the null
hypothesis) and Ha (for the alternative hypothesis).