Understanding The New Statistics (Multivariate Applications Series) by Geoff Cumming

Multivariate Applications Series

by Geoff Cumming

This is the first book to introduce the new statistics - effect sizes, confidence intervals, and meta-analysis - in an accessible way. It is chock full of practical examples and tips on how to analyze and report research results using these techniques. The book is invaluable to readers interested in meeting the new APA Publication Manual guidelines by adopting the new statistics - which are more informative than null hypothesis significance testing, and becoming widely used in many disciplines.Accompanying the book is the Exploratory Software for Confidence Intervals (ESCI) package, free software that runs under Excel and is accessible at www.thenewstatistics.com. The book's exercises use ESCI's simulations, which are highly visual and interactive, to engage users and encourage exploration. Working with the simulations strengthens understanding of key statistical ideas. There are also many examples, and detailed guidance to show readers how to analyze their own data using the new statistics, and practical strategies for interpreting the results. A particular strength of the book is its explanation of meta-analysis, using simple diagrams and examples. Understanding meta-analysis is increasingly important, even at undergraduate levels, because medicine, psychology and many other disciplines now use meta-analysis to assemble the evidence needed for evidence-based practice.The book's pedagogical program, built on cognitive science principles, reinforces provide "evidence-based" advice on the most effective statistical techniques. Numerous examples reinforce learning, and show that many disciplines are using the new statistics. Graphs are tied in with ESCI to make important concepts vividly clear and memorable. Opening overviews and end of chapter take-home messages summarize key points. Exercises encourage exploration, deep understanding, and practical applications.This highly accessible book is intended as the core text for any course that emphasizes the new statistics, or as a supplementary text for graduate and/or advanced undergraduate courses in statistics and research methods in departments of psychology, education, human development, nursing, and natural, social, and life sciences. Researchers and practitioners interested in understanding the new statistics, and future published research, will also appreciate this book. A basic familiarity with introductory statistics is assumed.

Genres: Psychology, Research, Textbooks, Nonfiction, Science

Unknown Binding

First published July 14, 2011

Reviews

[Dennis · Rating 2 out of 5]

http://pro-libertate.net/20150727/272...

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful and enlightening when it comes to getting your head out of NHST. The critiques of NHST aren't new, but this does a wonderful job of really demonstrating the utility of CIs and their full range of applications. It was very "pitchy" at times for the author's developed software, but I don't blame Geoff Cumming for promoting such a great tool.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Explains advanced statistics relatively well. It over-explains a little, however, for some concepts this is necessary in order to understand further content later.
It is a highly specific read - it was useful for my Psychology BSc but it much of it is more advanced than an undergraduate level. Nevertheless, I recommend reading books like this for undergrads. While it isn't designed to be overly assessable (do not expect it to read like a textbook), it is proficient enough in explanation to understand some advanced concepts at this level after a couple looks.

Perfect for those interested in social scientific inquiry and want to develop their ways of thinking on how statistical inference can be used to understand behaviour.

My only quarrel with it is the formatting. I find the text is small and the bright white pages are a bit blinding for someone with dyslexia. For readers without Dyslexia, this may not be too much of an issue.

[Rainier Moreno-Lacalle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cumming's book promotes the new statistics (ie meta-analysis, noncentral t distribution, Cohen's d, precisions). He attempts to replace the traditional or old statistics (eg null hypothesis significance testing) with the new statistics. He also promotes the use of Exploratory Software for Confidence Intervals (ESCI). Particularly, the animation, examples, and conversational styles make this book a great read. I never imagine that statistics could be this fun and learnable!

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an approachable book for such an important method for scientists and laypeople alike.

[Jenifer Larson-Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! As the author says, the statistics he is advocating are not new, but if people really used them it would be new. His ESCI program is great for helping people understand complicated and un-intuitive concepts. I'm going to incorporate it into my statistics book!