Introduction to Social Statistics

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.

List of Tables vii

List of Figures xvii

Preface: A Strategy for Approaching Quantitative Analysis xxv

1 An Introduction to Quantitative Analysis 1

2 Some Basic Concepts 33

3 Displaying Data One Variable at a Time 65

4 Describing Data 115

5 Plotting Relationships and Conditional Distributions 155

6 Causation and Models of Causal Effects 182

7 Probability 218

8 Sampling Distributions and Inference 255

9 Using Sampling Distributions: Confidence Intervals 295

10 Using Sampling Distributions: Hypothesis Tests 319

11 The Subtle Logic of Analysis of Variance 363

12 Goodness of Fit and Models of Frequency Tables 396

13 Bivariate Regression and Correlation 435

14 Basics of Multiple Regression 476

Appendix A: Summary of Variables Used in Examples 513

Appendix B: Mathematics Review 520

Appendix C: Statistical Tables 526

Glossary of Key Terms 534

Notes 546

Index 559

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). Why are some countries more likely than others to participate in environmental treaties? Why do some people feel animals have rights while others feel animals can be treated as objects? Why do some US states have high homicide rates while in others the occurrence of a homicide is very rare?

With a relaxed and conversational writing style, ongoing examples and complete exercises, this book shows how quantitative methods can help us to understand social questions and contemporary issues. Its special features include:

• 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 to guide 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
• For enhanced learning, includes a ‘walk-through’ of statistical concepts, applications, features, and 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

This is a lively and very user-friendly book that makes students comfortable with what is usually considered a fearsome task: learning statistics. "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