Textbook

Introduction to Social Statistics: The Logic of Statistical Reasoning

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Introduction to Social Statistics is a basic statistics text with a focus on the use of models for thinking through statistical problems, an accessible and consistent structure with ongoing examples across chapters, and an emphasis on the tools most commonly used in contemporary research.

Lively introductory textbook that uses three strategies to help students master statistics: use of models throughout; repetition with variation to underpin pedagogy; and emphasis on the tools most commonly used in contemporary research
Demonstrates how more than one statistical method can be used to approach a research question
Enhanced learning features include a ‘walk-through’ of statistical concepts, applications, features, advanced topics boxes, and a ‘What Have We Learned’ section at the end of each chapter
Supported by a website containing instructor materials including chapter-by-chapter PowerPoint slides, answers to exercises, and an instructor guide

Visit www.wiley.com/go/dietz for additional student and instructor resources.

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Table of Contents

List of Tables.

List of Figures.

Preface: A Strategy for Approaching Quantitative Analysis.

An Introduction to Quantitative Analysis.

Some Basic Concepts.

Displaying Data One Variable at a Time.

Describing Data.

Plotting Relationships and Conditional Distributions.

Causation and Models of Causal Effects.

Probability.

Sampling Distributions and Inference.

Using Sampling Distributions: Confidence Intervals.

Using Sampling Distributions: Hypothesis Tests.

The Subtle Logic of Analysis of Variance.

Goodness of Fit and Models of Frequency Tables.

Bivariate Regression and Correlation.

Basics of Multiple Regression.

Appendix A Summary of Variables in Examples.

Appendix B Mathematics Review.

Appendix C Statistical Tables.

Glossary of Key Terms.

Notes.
Index.

Excerpts

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Author Information

Thomas Dietz is Professor of Sociology and Director of the Environmental Science and Policy Program at Michigan State University. He has 20 years’ experience teaching introductory social statistics and his books include Essentials of Social Research (with Linda Kalof and Amy Dan, 2008), New Tools for Environmental Protection (edited with Paul C. Stern, 2002), Environmentally Significant Consumption (edited with Paul C. Stern et al., 1997), and Handbook for Environmental Planning (edited with James McEvoy, 1977).

Linda Kalof is Professor of Sociology at Michigan State University. With 15 years of experience teaching introductory social statistics and research methods, she has won two university teaching awards and her books include Essentials of Social Research (with Amy Dan and Thomas Dietz, 2008), Looking at Animals in Human History (2007), A Cultural History of Animals (edited with Brigitte Resl, 2007), The Animals Reader (edited with Amy Fitzgerald, 2007), and The Earthscan Reader in Environmental Values (edited with Terre Satterfield, 2005).

Hallmark Features

Lively introductory textbook that uses three strategies to help students master statistics: use of models throughout; repetition with variation to underpin pedagogy; and emphasis on the tools most commonly used in contemporary research
Accessible and consistent structure that guides students through the text, with ongoing examples running across chapters, showing how more than one statistical method can be used to approach a research question
Enhanced learning features include a ‘walk-through’ of statistical concepts, applications, features, advanced topics boxes, and a ‘What Have We Learned’ section at the end of each chapter
Supported by a website containing instructor materials including chapter-by-chapter PowerPoint slides, answers to exercises, and an instructor guide

Reviews

"This extremely well organized and clearly written text provides a solid grounding in the craft of quantitative analysis and a focus on tools actually used by practicing social scientists. I particularly like the empirical examples which are more theoretically and socially relevant and highlight more levels of analysis than traditional texts."
– Paul McLaughlin, State University of New York at Geneseo

"The clarity of writing, the plain uncomplicated language, the step-by-step explanations of the statistical procedures covered and the grounding of those applications in real world data, make this an invaluable book for students and instructors that stands out from its competitors."
–Paul Iganski, Lancaster University

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