Data Analysis for the Social Sciences
Integrating Theory and Practice
- Douglas Bors - University of Toronto at Scarborough
'This book fosters in-depth understanding of the logic underpinning the most common statistical tests within the behavioural sciences. By emphasising the shared ground between these tests, the author provides crucial scaffolding for students as they embark upon their research journey.' —Ruth Horry, Psychology, Swansea University
'This unique text presents the conceptual underpinnings of statistics as well as the computation and application of statistics to real-life situations--a combination rarely covered in one book. A must-have for students learning statistical techniques and a go-to handbook for experienced researchers.' —Barbra Teater, Social Work, College of Staten Island, City University of New York
Accessible, engaging, and informative, this book will help any social science student approach statistics with confidence.
With a well-paced and well-judged integrated approach rather than a simple linear trajectory, this book progresses at a realistic speed that matches the pace at which statistics novices actually learn. Packed with global, interdisciplinary examples that ground statistical theory and concepts in real-world situations, it shows students not only how to apply newfound knowledge using IBM SPSS Statistics, but also why they would want to. Spanning statistics basics like variables, constants, and sampling through to t-tests, multiple regression and factor analysis, it builds statistical literacy while also covering key research principles like research questions, error types and results reliability.
It shows you how to:
- Describe data with graphs, tables, and numbers
- Calculate probability and value distributions
- Test a priori and post hoc hypotheses
- Conduct Chi-squared tests and observational studies
- Structure ANOVA, ANCOVA, and factorial designs
Supported by lots of visuals and a website with interactive demonstrations, author video, and practice datasets, this book is the student-focused companion to support students through their statistics journeys.
Supplements
This book fosters in-depth understanding of the logic underpinning the most common statistical tests within the behavioural sciences. By emphasising the shared ground between these tests, the author provides crucial scaffolding for students as they embark upon their research journey.
This unique text presents the conceptual underpinnings of statistics as well as the computation and application of statistics to real-life situations--a combination rarely covered in one book. A must-have for students learning statistical techniques and a go-to handbook for experienced researchers.
Statistics textbooks are not often known for their engaging writing style, but Douglas Bors’ work is an exception. Humorous, detailed, and clearly-written, the book guides readers through both a conceptual and procedural understanding of statistics essentials. A great resource that I look forward to using in my courses.
An engaging textbook that delivers.
THE BOOKS FROM SAGE HAVE TREMENDOUSLY HELPED ME ALL THROUGH MY RESEARCH AND ARE STILL HELPFUL, SUCH THAT I CANNOT HELP BUT ADOPT ALL THE BOOKS FROM THEM THAT I HAVE USED. THANKS, SAGE PUBLISHERS.
Gathering data is the easy part of the empirical research process but often students do not think carefully enough about the analysis of their data before they start to gather it. This book gives clear guidance on the methodology and process of data analysis giving clear and concise approaches to data analysis methods and tools. A very useful addition to the methodological bookshelf.
