How to Think About Statistics

Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction to basic statistics
Review: I started using this book as a supplemental text in my introduciton to statistics classes. It is straightforward, intuitive, and explains concpetual issues in statistics very well. Students who have trouble with other statistics book find that Phillip's book is a tremendous help. This book helps "Understand Statistics" in a non-mathematical way.

Rating:
Summary: Well written introduction to the basic concepts
Review: This book focuses on concepts rather than computation. It is an excellent supplemental text which takes the time to explain the ideas behind the equations. Statistics can be very difficult conceptually to the beginning student. By focusing on concepts, this book can break down some barriers to learning.

The scope is that of an introductory statistics course, including in introduction to measures of central tendency, the normal distribution, correlation, inference, hypothesis testing, and a final chapter on correlation, causation and effect size. The example problems are well chosen, and the discussion is clear and well reasoned. If I were teaching a course in statistics, I would require this as a supplemental text. It is also appropriate for self study.

Rating:
Summary: A basic intro...with some basic misunderstandings
Review: This book is a fairly good intro to stats, for someone looking for alternate explanations. HOWEVER, there are some glaring problems-- Philips does not understand significance testing, for example. This book should be taken with several grains of salt and used only as one of many supplemental texts.

Rating:
Summary: Problems understanding statistics? This book is for you!
Review: This book is a great introduction to statistics. The author not only explains each concept with its application, but also provides case scenarios to reinforce the concept. But it doesn't stop here. The author goes even further and examines the circumstances and assumptions surrounding each application of the concepts. An excellent introductory book for understanding statistics!