"This bestselling text continues to emphasize intuition and common sense, while demonstrating the link between the practice of statistics and important social issues. Recognizing that today's students live in a world characterized by a growing diversity and richness of social differences, the authors help students learn key statistical concepts through real research examples related to the dynamic interplay of race, class, gender, and other social variables. The text also helps readers develop important skills such as problem-solving (through a rich variety of exercises), use of statistical software (both SPSS and Excel), and interpreting research literature"--
Explains statistics to even the most math-anxious, inept student (you know, like me). Gentle step by step approach with more emphasis on concept coherence and not necessarily dry formulaic teaching. Definitely worth a read if you're studying this subject and may even be helpful if it's not the text of choice for your class. My only quibble is that my version did not come with SSPS, which made me draw a blank on some exercises. Otherwise, well worth the time.
There are quite a few errors in this book, and while seemingly harmless, can confuse someone new to social statistics. The step-by-step SPSS demonstrations and following exercises were very helpful, though.
Don't like: New editions every 18 months or so with differences only in the end-of-chapter questions necessitating college students overpay for new textbooks.
This book is adequate . . . sort of. It covers the material, but isn't all that helpful. The exercises in the book aren't all that great and more are needed.
Some of the odd answers in the back we're wrong, I asked my teacher and she agreed. It is ok other than that with conveying information in a way that is learnable.
As far as textbooks go this one is well-written with modern day scenarios that the reader can relate to and create deeper understanding of the material.
This book focuses on doing stats within SPSS (IBM software). Very functional. This is not general esoteric stats content. You can put it to work in real life at work and in research immediately.