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Making Sense of Statistical Methods in Social Research

Keming Yang author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Sage Publications Ltd

Published:25th Mar '10

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

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Making Sense of Statistical Methods in Social Research cover

Making Sense of Statistical Methods in Social Research is a critical introduction to the use of statistical methods in social research. It provides a unique approach to statistics that concentrates on helping social researchers think about the conceptual basis for the statistical methods they′re using.

Whereas other statistical methods books instruct students in how to get through the statistics-based elements of their chosen course with as little mathematical knowledge as possible, this book aims to improve students′ statistical literacy, with the ultimate goal of turning them into competent researchers.

Making Sense of Statistical Methods in Social Research contains careful discussion of the conceptual foundation of statistical methods, specifying what questions they can, or cannot, answer. The logic of each statistical method or procedure is explained, drawing on the historical development of the method, existing publications that apply the method, and methodological discussions. Statistical techniques and procedures are presented not for the purpose of showing how to produce statistics with certain software packages, but as a way of illuminating the underlying logic behind the symbols.

The limited statistical knowledge that students gain from straight forward ′how-to′ books makes it very hard for students to move beyond introductory statistics courses to postgraduate study and research. This book should help to bridge this gap.

This book is an enjoyable read and helps unlock the potential of statistics to many of us who many have avoided them due to fear
Annika Coughlin
SRA: Reviews

ISBN: 9781847872876

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 380g

216 pages