Author Gerald Swanson began his career as a chemist, moved onto nuclear analytical chemistry, and later became a behavioral scientist and taught statistics at Bastyr University in Seattle. From his varied background comes a supplemental statistics guide for an introductory statistics course. This overview starts with the very basics, such as levels of measurement, displays such as histogram, and measures of central tendency. These preliminaries assume little to no mathematical skill and extend into the first seven chapters. The final two chapters cover, with thorough examples, more advanced statistical topics, including the binomial distribution, chi square tests, and ANOVA.
This text feels like itmight be a good fit for students struggling with a first course in statistics. Non-STEM students requiring statistics in the classroom or later in their careers may find it helpful in learning or as a reference. Guiding the reader are exercises throughout. The book is self-contained and includes the typical tables for t distribution, F ratio critical values, etc.
Tom Schulte developed statistical process control (SPC) software for Plex Systems and delivers user-friendly lectures to mathematics students at Oakland Community College.