Statistical Inference: A Short Course

Preface

Statistical Inference: A Short Course is a condensed and to-the-point presentation of the essentials of basic statistics for those seeking to acquire a working knowledge of statistical concepts, measures, and procedures. While most individuals will not be performing high-powered statistical analyses in their work or professional environments, they will be, on numerous occasions, reading technical reports, reviewing a consultant's findings, perusing through academic, trade, and professional publications in their field, and digesting the contents of diverse magazine/newspaper articles (online or otherwise) wherein facts and figures are offered for appraisal. Let us face it—there is no escape. We are a society that generates a virtual avalanche of information on a daily basis.

That said, correctly understanding notions such as: a research hypothesis, statistical significance, randomness, central tendency, variability, reliability, cause and effect, and so on are of paramount importance when it comes to being an informed consumer of statistical results. Answers to questions such as:

“How precisely has some population value (e.g., the mean) been estimated?”

“What level of reliability is associated with any such estimate?”

“How are probabilities determined?”

“Is probability the same thing as odds?”

“How can I predict the level of one variable from the level of another variable?”

“What is the strength of the relationship between two variables?”

and so on, will be offered ...