Page 18 - Statistics II for Dummies

2 Statistics II For Dummies

This book is different from the other Stats II books in many ways. Notably,
this book features

✓ Full explanations of Stats II concepts. Many statistics textbooks
squeeze all the Stats II topics at the very end of Stats I coverage; as a
result, these topics tend to get condensed and presented as if they’re
optional. But no worries; 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 and explain how I got it and what it means.
✓ An extensive number of examples. I include plenty of examples to
cover the many different types of problems you’ll face.
✓ Lots of tips, strategies, and warnings. I share with you some trade
secrets, based on my experience teaching and supporting students and
grading their papers.
✓ 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 Stats II
problems — and remember how to do it on your own 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 indicate the null and alternative hypotheses as Ho (for the null
hypothesis) and Ha (for the alternative hypothesis).
✓ The statistical software package I use and display throughout the book
is Minitab 14, but I simply refer to it as Minitab.
✓ Whenever I introduce a new term, I italicize it.
✓ Keywords and numbered steps appear in boldface.
✓ Web sites and e-mail addresses appear in monofont.

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