Statistics: Problems and Solutions

Statistics is often regarded as a boring, and therefore difficult, subject particularly by those whose previous experience has not produced any real need to understand variation and to make appropriate allowances for it. The subject can certainly be presented in a boring way and in much advanced work can be conceptually and mathematically very difficult indeed.
However for most people a simple but informed approach to the collection, analysis and interpretation of numerical information is of tremendous benefit to them in reducing some of the uncertainties involved in decision making. It is a pity that many formal courses of statistics appear to frighten people away from achieving this basic attitude usually through failing to relate the theory to practical applications.
This book, whose chapters each contain a brief summary of the main concepts and methods, is intended to show, through worked examples, some of the practical applications of simple statistical methods and so to stimulate interest. In order to establish firmly the basic concepts, a more detailed treatment of the theory is given in chapters 1 and 2. Some examples of a more academic nature are also given to illustrate the way of thinking about problems. Each chapter contains problems for the reader to attempt, the solutions to these being discussed in some detail, particularly in relation to the inferences that can validly be drawn even in those cases where the numbers have been put into the correct 'textbook formula' for the situation.
This book will not only greatly assist students to gain a better appreciation of the basic concepts and use of the theory, but will also be of interest to personnel in industry and commerce, enabling them to see the range of applic:ltion of basic statistical concepts.