Preface  (Page 3/2)

About Introductory Statistics

Introductory Statistics is designed for the one-semester, introduction to statistics course and is geared toward students majoring in fields other than math or engineering. This text assumes students have been exposed to intermediate algebra, and it focuses on the applications of statistical knowledge rather than the theory behind it.

The foundation of this textbook is Collaborative Statistics , by Barbara Illowsky and Susan Dean. Additional topics, examples, and ample opportunities for practice have been added to each chapter. The development choices for this textbook were made with the guidance of many faculty members who are deeply involved in teaching this course. These choices led to innovations in art, terminology, and practical applications, all with a goal of increasing relevance and accessibility for students. We strove to make the discipline meaningful, so that students can draw from it a working knowledge that will enrich their future studies and help them make sense of the world around them.

Coverage and scope

Chapter 1 Sampling and Data
Chapter 2 Descriptive Statistics
Chapter 3 Probability Topics
Chapter 4 Discrete Random Variables
Chapter 5 Continuous Random Variables
Chapter 6 The Normal Distribution
Chapter 7 The Central Limit Theorem
Chapter 8 Confidence Intervals
Chapter 9 Hypothesis Testing with One Sample
Chapter 10 Hypothesis Testing with Two Samples
Chapter 11 The Chi-Square Distribution
Chapter 12 Linear Regression and Correlation
Chapter 13 F Distribution and One-Way ANOVA

Alternate sequencing

Introductory Statistics was conceived and written to fit a particular topical sequence, but it can be used flexibly to accommodate other course structures. One such potential structure, which will fit reasonably well with the textbook content, is provided. Please consider, however, that the chapters were not written to be completely independent, and that the proposed alternate sequence should be carefully considered for student preparation and textual consistency.

Chapter 1 Sampling and Data
Chapter 2 Descriptive Statistics
Chapter 12 Linear Regression and Correlation
Chapter 3 Probability Topics
Chapter 4 Discrete Random Variables
Chapter 5 Continuous Random Variables
Chapter 6 The Normal Distribution
Chapter 7 The Central Limit Theorem
Chapter 8 Confidence Intervals
Chapter 9 Hypothesis Testing with One Sample
Chapter 10 Hypothesis Testing with Two Samples
Chapter 11 The Chi-Square Distribution
Chapter 13 F Distribution and One-Way ANOVA