Statistics : A Spectator Sport

by Richard M. Jaeger

• ISBN13: 9780803934214
• ISBN10: 0803934211
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1990-05-01
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc

Summary

"Richard M. Jaeger does such a good job of communicating the concept in nontechnical and applicable terms. In particular, I like Jaeger's emphasis on understanding the logic of the methods and interpreting statistical reports. His book provides the student with an alternative explanation of the underlying logic of statistical methods that I provide in class. Students have found Jaeger to be very understandable-- I have had almost universal praise of Jaeger. . . . Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this book is its clear exposition of some rather complex concepts. Jaeger's explanations are clear, he uses realistic and generally understandable examples, and does not take himself too seriously. . . . This is an excellent nontechnical statistics text." --Barry Nocks, Clemson University "(This book) has become one of my favorite resources and references. I love reading it. It offers pleasant reading that is interesting and completely comprehensible. And most important, it has improved my understanding of the concepts that had previously eluded me. Thank you again for offering the definitive aid to understanding the world of statistics. Who would have believed that such a topic could have been presented so wonderfully?" --Elaine R. Kersten, Doctoral Candidate, University of Massachusetts at Amherst From the First Edition: "The premise is that many of us need an understanding of statistics in order to become intelligent consumers of the reports and research generated by business, government, social scientists, and educators. . . The style is lucid and lively. A careful reading of this book could well make one reexamine the old cliche about lies, damn lies, and statistics." --Choice "Using clear explanations (and excluding the equations), readers learn from examples how to understand what statistics are, what they mean, and how they are used and interpreted, particularly in the social and behavioral sciences. Includes problems with answers. The book will help anyone who needs to understand statistics." --Journal of the Institute of Health Education "I found the author's presentation clear and readable. He introduces the different types of case study in a very logical manner, well illustrated with practical examples, and accompanied with helpful guidelines to encourage researchers to consider a broader range of research methods. . . . I would recommend this book to novices and established researchers alike. It has good breadth and depth of coverage presented in a very digestible form." --Statistician "Well-written; Richard M. Jaeger's lighthearted style, so often lacking in statistical texts, makes enjoyable reading. Because it starts with the basics of making sense of numbers and works its way gently up to some more complex statistical techniques, the book will be useful to the complete novice as well as the more experienced number cruncher." --Nursing Standard "Comprehensive text, clear illustrations, and an outstanding glossary. . . . An excellent resource. . . . An invaluable reference. . . . No graduate student . . . in a statistics course should be without it!" --ANNA Journal Popular in its first edition with researchers and practitioners and widely adopted for undergraduate and graduate courses, the new second edition continues to give readers a conceptual understanding of statistics without becoming mired down in statistical computations. Presuming no statistical background and beginning with the most fundamental methods for drawing statistical inferences to a variety of real-world applications, Richard M. Jaege

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Preface to the First Edition	xi
Making Numbers Make Sense	1	(35)
Introduction and Overview	1	(2)
Interpreting Data Tables	3	(11)
A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words---And at Least Ten Thousand Numbers	14	(19)
Problems	33	(3)
Concepts of Central Tendency	36	(14)
Where Is the Center?	36	(1)
How to Define the Center	36	(1)
Which Measures When?	37	(9)
Summary	46	(1)
Problems	47	(3)
Measures of Variability	50	(11)
How Spread Out Are the Scores?	50	(1)
Measures of Variability	51	(5)
Properties of the Measures	56	(1)
Summary	57	(2)
Problems	59	(2)
Correlation	61	(16)
The General Idea	61	(3)
The Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient	64	(7)
Other Types of Correlation Coefficients	71	(3)
Summary	74	(1)
Problems	74	(3)
Some Fundamentals of Measurement	77	(26)
Measurement as the Basis for Statistics	77	(2)
Assessing Validity	79	(6)
Assessing Reliability	85	(7)
Reporting the Scores	92	(7)
Summary	99	(1)
Problems	100	(3)
Can You Trust the Conclusions?	103	(32)
Internal Validity	105	(17)
External Validity	122	(9)
Summary	131	(1)
Problems	132	(3)
Elements of Statistical Inference	135	(8)
Inferential Statistics	135	(2)
Our Approach	137	(1)
Some Basic Vocabulary	138	(3)
Problems	141	(2)
Nuts and Bolts of Estimation	143	(20)
Two Types of Estimation	144	(8)
Interpreting Confidence Intervals in Research Reports	152	(3)
A Short Review Quiz	155	(1)
The Effectiveness of an Inservice Science Education Program	155	(2)
Estimating the Budget for the Oak Park School District---The Need for Remedial Classes	157	(3)
Problems	160	(3)
The Logic of Hypothesis Testing	163	(31)
The Lay of the Land	163	(3)
The General Procedure	166	(1)
Errors and Risks	166	(3)
Decision Rules	169	(2)
Sampling Distributions	171	(1)
The Risk of Making a Type I Error	172	(1)
Computing a Decision Rule	173	(1)
Another Example---And a Review	174	(9)
Another Review Quiz	183	(1)
The Validity of a Teacher Selection Test	184	(1)
Teacher Salaries and Student Achievement---Are They Related?	185	(6)
Problems	191	(3)
Inferences Involving Averages	194	(21)
The Path Ahead	194	(1)
A Final Evaluation of a Career Education Program	195	(7)
Relationships Between Teacher Attitudes and Teacher Behavior	202	(4)
Evaluation of a Beginning Teacher Development Program	206	(7)
Summary	213	(1)
Problems	213	(2)
Inferences Involving Correlation Coefficients	215	(21)
The Nature of the Inferences	215	(2)
Are High School Sophomores' Ego Identities Related to School Factors and Cognitive Factors?	217	(6)
Relationships Between Teacher Attitudes and Teacher Behavior	223	(10)
Summary	233	(1)
Problems	234	(2)
Inferences Involving Statistical Independence	236	(24)
The Nature of the Inferences	236	(2)
Do Boys and Girls Differ in Average Intellectual Growth During Adolescence?	238	(6)
In-Level Versus Out-of-Level Testing of Special Education Students	244	(5)
Evaluation of a Chapter I Supplementary Reading Program	249	(9)
Summary	258	(1)
Problems	258	(2)
One-Way Analysis of Variance	260	(25)
The Nature of the Inferences	260	(2)
In-Level Versus Out-of-Level Testing of Special Education Students	262	(8)
An Evaluation of an Urban Day Care Program	270	(5)
An Evaluation of an Experimental Assessment Center for Army Cadets	275	(8)
Summary	283	(1)
Problems	283	(2)
Two-Way Analysis of Variance	285	(35)
The Nature of the Inferences	285	(10)
A Final Evaluation of a Career Education Program	295	(7)
An Evaluation of a Multicultural Education Program	302	(8)
A Study of Perceptions of the Roles of Women	310	(8)
Summary	318	(1)
Problems	318	(2)
Some Advanced Topics	320	(44)
Analysis of Covariance	321	(5)
A Study of the Effect of Computers on Middle-School Students' Mathematics Achievement	326	(7)
Regression Analysis	333	(7)
Prediction of Typing Success in High School	340	(5)
Factor Analysis	345	(7)
A Factor Analysis of an Instructor Rating Scale	352	(7)
Summary	359	(2)
Conclusion	361	(1)
Problems	361	(3)
References	364	(2)
Glossary	366	(19)
Answers to Problems	385	(10)
Index	395	(7)
About the Author	402