Statistical Persuasion
How to Collect, Analyze, and Present Data...Accurately, Honestly, and Persuasively
- Robert W. Pearson - University of Pennsylvania, USA
Click on the Supplements tab above for further details on the different versions of SPSS programs.
"A number of my students commended the readability of the book....It is truly one of a kind in the most excellent way."
-Elsie Szecsy, Arizona State University
This textbook focuses attention on the conceptual understanding of statistics, the signposts of (in)appropriate research design and quality measurement, the selection of the right statistical tools under different conditions, and the presentation of substantive and technical results.
Key Features
- Illustrates statistical and graphical procedures in SPSS and Excel through step-by-step instructions for the analysis of real-world examples and data problems in education, crime, government performance, and program evaluation
- Clearly demonstrates the importance of sound research designs and measurement as well as appropriate statistical procedures
- Shows how to make persuasive as well as principled statistical arguments and presentations to nonacademic audiences
- Embeds statistical analysis within a political framework, thus alerting students to the temptation to distort data and its interpretation, the limits of dispassionate analysis, and the conditions under which sound analysis can inform decisions
Instructors interested in this title can learn more about Robert Pearson and his book by viewing his YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu7IzFQtwco
Accompanied by robust ancillaries
The Password-Protected Instructor Teaching Site at http://www.sagepub.com/pearsonsp/ offers sample syllabi; an instructor's manual; PowerPoint lecture slides, test questions and answer keys for each chapter and a final comprehensive examination, solution sets to lab exercises, and handouts for students.
The Student Study Site at http://www.sagepub.com/pearsonsp/ offers a student workbook that includes exercises, essay assignments, and sample data sets. Video lectures concerning key concepts are also available on YouTube.
“I am very impressed with Statistical Persuasion, by Dr. Robert W. Pearson. The textbook includes the technical and mathematical knowledge students need to understand basic statistics, and it also includes an integration of these elements within the important framework of research design. The combination of the textbook and ancillary support materials is a complete package.”
"Statistical Persuasion will serve well those who are looking for a practical and pragmatic approach to using and interpreting statistics for applied purposes. This book would best serve as a text for a capstone course in statistics where the focus is on the presentation and consumption of statistical outcomes. It does an excellent job convincing the reader of the importance of designing a study tailored to the needs of a social science question so that the resulting findings can meaningfully answer the question."
Although an excellent and interesting read, the book was not suitable for the module I teach on. Excellent read though!
Pretty decent coverage of key statistical concepts
I did not adopt this but recommend it to everyone that I talk ot and all of my students. This is a wonderful book.
While the book lacks considerable detail on the numeric details involved with both descriptive and inferential statistics, it does do a good job on data collection and the presentation of results.
Not assigned to teach course
The book is probably too intimidating to adotpted as an essential read for undergraduates. However it persuasively argues for the appropriate use of statistical tools within research. It would be useful to include more on liklihood ratios and a more comprehensive index.
Not appropriate for the class in mind
Readability, comprehensive, Online content, data sets, use of Excel and SPSS.
Sage College Publishing
