Praise for the First Edition:
"For a beginner [this book] is a treasure trove; for an
experienced person it can provide new ideas on how better to pursue
the subject of applied statistics."
--Journal of Quality Technology
Sensibly organized for quick reference, Statistical Rules of
Thumb, Second Edition compiles simple rules that are
widely applicable, robust, and elegant, and each captures key
statistical concepts. This unique guide to the use of statistics
for designing, conducting, and analyzing research studies
illustrates real-world statistical applications through examples
from fields such as public health and environmental studies. Along
with an insightful discussion of the reasoning behind every
technique, this easy-to-use handbook also conveys the various
possibilities statisticians must think of when designing and
conducting a study or analyzing its data.
Each chapter presents clearly defined rules related to
inference, covariation, experimental design, consultation, and data
representation, and each rule is organized and discussed under five
succinct headings: introduction; statement and illustration of the
rule; the derivation of the rule; a concluding discussion; and
exploration of the concept's extensions. The author also introduces
new rules of thumb for topics such as sample size for ratio
analysis, absolute and relative risk, ANCOVA cautions, and
dichotomization of continuous variables. Additional features of the
Second Edition include:
* Additional rules on Bayesian topics
* New chapters on observational studies and Evidence-Based
Medicine (EBM)
* Additional emphasis on variation and causation
* Updated material with new references, examples, and sources
A related Web site provides a rich learning environment and
contains additional rules, presentations by the author, and a
message board where readers can share their own strategies and
discoveries. Statistical Rules of Thumb, Second
Edition is an ideal supplementary book for courses in
experimental design and survey research methods at the
upper-undergraduate and graduate levels. It also serves as an
indispensable reference for statisticians, researchers,
consultants, and scientists who would like to develop an
understanding of the statistical foundations of their research
efforts. A related website www. vanbelle. org provides additional
rules, author presentations and more.
