Biostatistics - How It Works

Hardback  408 pages  ISBN 0130466166      £59.00

Please note: This title is not available from CPL Press in North America or Australasia - please contact a local source

This straightforward text is a concise, clear approach to biostatistics, containing rigorous explanations of elementary methods without the “bells and whistles” associated with other books that cover this topic. Its goal is to provide a sophisticated introduction of how statistics works at a beginning level. Every concept is carefully and clearly explained, enriched by a mathematical/statistical justification, and then illustrated by at least one concrete, worked example. Beginning with basic concepts, the text allows readers to acquire the ability to understand rather complicated statistical issues, such as linear regression theory and application. It contains 50 problems, 20 worked examples, and more than 60 illustrations.

Contents

I. PROBABILITY: PROPERTIES OF SAMPLES.

1. Descriptive Statistics.
Descriptive Statistical Summaries. Graphic Representation.

2. Probability.
Eight Rules of Probability. Composite Events. Four Probability Problems.

3. Random Variables.
4. Probability Distributions.
Discrete Distributions. Continuous Distributions.

II. STATISTICS: PROPERTIES OF SAMPLED POPULATIONS.

5. Statistical Inference I.
6. Statistical Inference II.
7. Chi-Square Analysis.
8. Linear Regression.
9. Correlation.
References.
Appendix A:
Table A.1: Normal Distributions. Table A.2: t-distribution. Table A.3: Chi-square Distribution. Table A.4: Values for Testing Correlations (conversion of t-values). Table A.5: Values for Testing Rank Correlations. Chart: Confidence Intervals for Correlation Coefficients.

Appendix B:
B.1: Summation Notation. B.2: Derivation of the Normal Equations for Simple Linear Regression. B.3: Poisson Probability Distribution. B.4: Problem Sets: 1 to 15; B.5: Partial Solutions to Most Problems (Sets 1 to 15).

Features

• An understanding of statistics for the beginner - Does not attempt to delve into a large variety of methods and applications.
  - Provides students with a clear, concise approach to statistics, enabling them to understand often complicated material.
• Less than 300 pages - Contains a limited number of problems, uses elementary mathematics, and makes no mention of computer applications.
  - Gives students a sophisticated yet brief introduction of how statistics works at a beginning level.
• Carefully-explained concepts - Enriched by mathematical/statistical justifications, and illustrated by concrete, worked examples.
  - Enables students to learn biostatistics by following a consistent format throughout the text; provides instructors with a text that is cohesive and comprehensive.
• Mathematical “proofs”  - Show how and why statistical methods work.
  - Gives students concepts that are repeated throughout the text, enhancing understanding and providing excellent review.
• 50 problems, 20 worked examples, and over 60 illustrations - Originate from actual data.
  - Provides students with in-depth problems that come from research journals and papers that enrich the presented material and expose them to actual statistical applications; providing hands-on data sets that encourage them to work carefully through the details of the statistical process. Gives instructors a wealth of material to present to their class.
• Simple algebraic explanations - Enclosed in boxes.
  - Gives students another way to explain statistical concepts, giving keen insight into the statistical process.
• Comprehensive appendices.
  - Provides students with an easy reference tool.
• Instructors Solutions Manual - Accompanies the text.
  - Provides instructors with valuable course support.