Statistical Methods in Biology

by Norman T. J. Bailey

• ISBN13: 9780521469838
• ISBN10: 052146983X
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1995-01-27
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Generations of biologists have relied upon this useful book, which presents the basic concepts of statistics so lucidly and convincingly. It recognises that students must be aware of when to use standard techniques and how to apply the results they obtain. Since many biologists do not have a strong mathematical background, the arguments are gauged in terms which can be easily understood by those with only an elementary knowledge of algebra. Mathematical derivations are avoided and formulae are only used as a convenient shorthand. Although the subject is presented with great simplicity, the coverage is wide and will satisfy the needs of those working in many disciplines. New material for this third edition includes consideration of pocket electronic calculators, and a special chapter is devoted to a discussion of the problems associated with numerical calculation, electronic calculators and computers.

Table of Contents

Preface

1. Introduction

2. Variability and frequency distributions

3. Estimation, standard errors and confidence limits

4. The basic idea of a significance test

5. Simple significance tests based on the normal distribution

6. The use of t-tests for small smaples

7. Contingency tables and X2

8. X2-tests of goodness-of-fit and homogeneity

9. The correlation of measurements

10. Regression analysis

11. Simple experimental design and the analysis of variance

12. Introduction to factorial experiments

13. Random samples and random numbers

14. Partial correlation and multiple regression

15. Non-parametric and distribution-free tests

16. Notes on numerical calculation, calculators and computers

Appendix tables

Index.