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Applied Statistics for Public Policy
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Comments/Reviews
Description: This practical text provides students with the statistical tools needed to analyze data, and shows how statistics can be used to make informed, intelligent policy decisions. The authors' practical, hands-on approach helps students learn the meaning of statistical measures and be able to focus on interpreting results, as opposed to spending time memorizing and applying dozens of statistical formulae.
The book includes more than 500 end-of-chapter problems, solvable with the easy-to-use Excel spreadsheet application developed by the authors to facilitate students'processing of data. This Excel template (titled POLYSTAT) allows students to enter numbers into the appropriate sheet, sit back, and analyze the data. No prior experience or expertise with Excel is required. Each copy of Applied Statistics for Public Policy includes a disk with the POLYSTAT template and 94 sample data sets.
This comprehensive, hands-on textbook requires only a background in high school algebra and has been thoroughly classroom-tested in both undergraduate and graduate level courses. Solutions to the end-of-chapter problems will be provided to instructors on the M.E. Sharpe website.
Important Features of pplied Statistics for Public
--The comprehensive table of contents includes all the basic topics, including descriptive statistics, basic probability, hypothesis testing, and measures of association
--Applications are specific to the fields of public administration and public policy
--Each chapter includes plenty of in-text examples of statistical problems, worked out step-by-step
--The authors provide plenty of end-of-chapter practice exercises
--The POLYSTAT Excel program (with data files provided on a disk that comes with every textbook) comprises a ready-made tool for data analysis and practice
--The book's focus is on interpreting results, less on statistical computation and theory
--The authors write in an informal, reader-friendly style.
Selected Contents:
Preface
1. Introduction: What Is Statistics All About?
Understanding the General Field of Statistics
Use of Statistics
Understanding Research Problems and Variables
Developing Scales of Measurement
Summary
Statistical Applications
Exercises
Bibliography
2. Using POLYSTAT to Do Statistical Analysis
Introduction
What Is POLYSTAT?
General Directions for Using POLYSTAT
Bibliography
3. Presentation of Data
Introduction
Generating a Tabular Analysis
How to Conduct Graphical Analysis
Using Excel to Conduct Tabular and Graphical Analysis
Statistical Applications
Exercises
Bibliography
4. Summarizing Data and Using Descriptive Statistics
Introduction
Measures of Central Tendency: The Mean
The Weighted Mean
Measures of Central Tendency: The Median
Other Measures of Central Tendency
Measures of Dispersion: Range and Standard Deviation
Interpreting the Standard Deviation
How to Calculate Descriptive Statistics When You Do Not Have the Actual Data
Using POLYSTAT to Calculate Descriptive Statistics
Statistical Applications
Exercises
Bibliography
5. Basic Probability: Theory and Applications
Why Probability Is Important When Using Statistics?
Understanding the Basic Laws of Probability
Basic Law of Probability: Understanding the Classic Approach
Another Basic Law of Probability: Relative Frequency Approach
The Subjective Approach to Probability
Some Fundamental Rules of Probability
Other Fundamental Rules of Probability (Optional Material)
Statistical Applications
Exercises
Bibliography
6. Sampling and the Normal Distribution
Introduction
What Is a Basic Probability Distribution?
Understanding the Significance of the Bell-Shaped or Normal Curve
How to Calculate a Probability for a Normal Distribution in POLYSTAT
How to Solve a Binomial Probability Using the Normal Distribution in POLYSTAT
The Poisson Distribution (Optional Material)
Statistical Applications
Exercises
Bibliography
7. The Central Limit Theorem
Introduction to the Central Limit Theorem
What Do We Mean When We Say Sampling Error?
So What Is the Central Limit Theorem?
Calculating Probabilities Under a Normal Curve Using the Central Limit Theorem
Exercises
Bibliography
8. Introduction to Inferential Statistics
Introduction to Inferential Statistics
What Is Inferential Statistics?
Key Concepts of Inferential Statistics
What is Inferential Statistics and Hypothesis Testing?
An Illustration of Hypothesis Testing
Concluding Remarks About Hypothesis Testing
Exercises
Bibliography
9. Estimating Means, Proportions, and Sample Size with Confidence
What Is a Confidence Interval?
Confidence Intervals for Population Means
Confidence Intervals for Population Proportions
Understanding the Usefulness of a Confidence Interval
Confidence Intervals in Opinion Research
What Happens When You Have a Small Sample (a.k.a. the t-distribution)?
Creating Confidence Intervals Using POLYSTAT
What Happens When You Have a Small Sample (aka the t -Distribution)?
Determining an Adequate Sample Size Means
How to Determine an Adequate Sample Size for a Proportion
Estimating Adequate Sample Sizes Using POLYSTAT
Statistical Applications
Exercises
Bibliography
Introduction
Statistical Inferences with One Sample
Testing a Population Mean Using a Sample Mean: Two-Tail Test for Large Samples
Testing a Population Mean Using a Sample Mean: One-Tail Tests for Large Samples
Using POLYSTAT to Do One-Tail and Two-Tail Analysis of Measurement
Testing a Single Population Mean: One-Tail and Two-Tail Tests with Small Samples
Testing a Single Population Mean--One-Tail and Two-Tail Tests with Small Samples
Statistical Applications
Problems and Exercises
Exercises
Bibliography
Introduction
Hypothesis Tests Between Two Population Means
Testing Differences for Two Population Mean (Standard Deviations Are Known)
Testing Differences for Two Population Means (Standard Deviations Are Unknown)
Using POLYSTAT to Test Differences Between Population Means
Statistical Applications
Problems and Exercises
Exercises
Bibliography
Introduction
Understanding Proportion Problems
Hypothesis Test of a Single Proportion
Using POLYSTAT to Test a Hypothesis about a Single Population Proportion
Problems and Exercises
Exercises
Bibliography
Introduction
Understanding Hypothesis Testing for Two Proportions
Hypothesis Test for Difference Between Proportions
Using POLYSTAT to Test a Hypothesis Comparing Population Proportions
Statistical Applications
Problems and Exercises
Exercises
Bibliography
14. Comparing More than Two Population Means with ANOVA
Introduction
What Is Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)?
Assumptions Needed for Analysis of Variance
The One-Way Analysis of Variance Model
The One-Way ANOVA Model
A Practical Application of One-Way ANOVA
The Two-Way Analysis of Variance Model
The Two-Way ANOVA (Optional Material)
Exercises
Bibliography
15. Comparing More than Two Proportions Using the Chi-Square Test
Cross Tabulations and Frequency Distributions
Testing for Differences Among Three or More Proportions
Using POLYSTAT Chi-Square to Test a Hypothesis Among Three or More Proportions
Some Practical Applications of Chi-Square
Limitations of the Chi-Square Test
Problems and Exercises
Exercises
Bibliography
16. Determining Relationships for Two Variables Using Correlation
Measures of Correlation
Scatter Plots and Positive or Negative Relationships
How to Calculate the Correlation Coefficient (r) Between Two Variables
How to Calculate the Correlation Coefficient (r ) Between Two Variables
The Coefficient of Determination (r2 )
Testing the Correlation Coefficient (r ) for Statistical Significance
Some Practical Examples of Positive and Negative Relationships
Some Words of Caution
Problems and Exercises
Exercises
Bibliography
17. Measuring Relationships with Simple Regression Analysis
What is Regression Analysis?
What is Regression Analysis and How Does It Differ from Correlation?
Making Predictions Using Regression Analysis
Levels of Statistical Significance
Problems and Exercises
References
18. Measuring Multivariate Relationships with Multiple Regression Analysis
Introduction
What Is Multiple Regression?
Using POLYSTAT to Estimate Multiple Regression Statistics
Exercises
Bibliography
19. Planning Statistical Research
Introduction
Experimental Design
Validity of Research
Sampling Design
Sampling Techniques
Sampling Error
Exercises
Bibliography
Comment(s): "Statistical analysis is a key foundation of effective public policy analysis and decision-making. This extraordinarily important book serves as an invaluable resource linking the science of statistical analysis to the art of public policymaking. Students and instructors will find this text to be an invaluable learning tool." -- James W. Hughes, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey "Finally, an excellent text for understanding statistics has arrived. Applied Statistics for Public Policy recognizes the importance of using statistics to make decisions in the public sector, and its pages reflect a well-crafted resource for students, faculty and practitioners alike!" -- RaJade M. Berry, The University of Akron "This book is great for my MPA students. ... a great departure from the other texts on the market. The text not only gives them a tool that they can take back to their jobs but also reuces their anxiety about learning statistics." -- Christopher Stream, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Appendix
Table 1. Area Under the Normal Curve
Table 2. Critical Values of t -Distribution
Table 3. Critical Values of F -Statistic
Table 4. Critical Values of Chi-Square Statistic
Key Formulas
Index
About the Authors
    
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