Page 21 - Statistics II for Dummies
P. 21

Introduction    5


                                Part IV: Building Strong Connections

                                with Chi-Square Tests

                                This part deals with the Chi-square distribution and how you can use it to
                                model and test categorical (qualitative) data. You find out how to test for
                                independence of two categorical variables using a Chi-square test. (No more
                                making speculations just by looking at the data in a two-way table!) You also
                                see how to use a Chi-square to test how well a model for categorical data fits.


                                Part V: Nonparametric Statistics:
                                Rebels without a Distribution


                                This part helps you with techniques used in situations where you can’t (or
                                don’t want to) assume your data comes from a population with a certain dis-
                                tribution, such as when your population isn’t normal (the condition required
                                by most other methods in Stats II).



                                Part VI: The Part of Tens

                                Reading this part can give you an edge in a major area beyond the formulas
                                and techniques of Stats II: ending the problem right (knowing what kinds of
                                conclusions you can and can’t make). You also get to know Stats II in the real
                                world, namely how it can help you stand out in a crowd.

                                You also can find an appendix at the back of this book that contains all the
                                tables you need to understand and complete the calculations in this book.


                      Icons Used in This Book


                                I use icons in this book to draw your attention to certain text features that
                                occur on a regular basis. Think of the icons as road signs that you encounter
                                on a trip. Some signs tell you about shortcuts, and others offer more infor-
                                mation that you may need; some signs alert you to possible warnings, while
                                others leave you with something to remember.
















          03_466469-intro.indd   5                                                                    7/24/09   9:30:08 AM
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