Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences

The tone of the textbook is relaxed and conversational. The authors definitely believe in keeping their explanations of sometimes complex statistical concepts as simple as possible. The book is filled with figures, step-by-step explanations of how to solve problems, and learning checks within each chapter to test your understanding of the material. After completing each chapter, I felt that I was more than prepared to tackle the problems at the end of each chapter.

If you have to take statistics, you might as well try to make the experience as pleasant as possible. And this book will definitely help you maintain your sanity, while actually teaching you about statistics.


statistics for the math phobics   August 27, 2001
Maria from London (London UK)
15 out of 16 found this review helpful

OK, here it is: I am a math phobic, have been all my life, as long as I can remember myself! So, when I started studying psychology as a second degree, I was kind of anxious about taking all kinds of statistics courses: it seems that statistics are a major part of any psychology degree, & so it was important for me to learn them well, from the beginning. Well, with this book (which I shopped around for, looking for the best introductory book on the subject) my math-phobia has not disappeared, but is slowly & surely getting smaller & smaller. This is a textbook that guides you, step by step, so you can understand all the basic concepts of statistics, without feeling you're making an effort. Lots of problem-solving & learning checks help, lots of revision at the end of each chapter...the book is organized in an excellent & thoughtful way, perfect for a student who will take the time sto study (it covers almost everything) but who wants to do it in an organized way.


A must buy!   June 16, 2002
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

This is great book for learning statistics. The best I've seen so far. Statistics is a subject I hate, but this book has given me hope. I know use it as a supplement for other textbooks. It was a book that was written with the student in mind. I am in a class with an awful stats book now, Statistical Methods for Psychology. But, the Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences text will be a permanent fixture on my shelf and I recommend it often. I will continue to look for textbooks written by these guys. Thanks, you made one of my semesters much better.


Kudos to these guys!!!   August 23, 2001
Diana De Avila (Malta, NY USA)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

I used an older copy of this book as an undergrad and was asked by a fellow doctoral student what I might recommend for use as a good stats book for the "stat phobic" ... Hands down, I say that THIS is the book to use. I've used thinner stats books that pretend to be cute. But if "cute" is not what you need, and you need to learn the stuff as well as reference the stuff. This is the book for you.

I suppose I ought to update my copy ;-) mine is dog eared!

Need stats? Buy this book to learn. Good stuff!


The best stats book I have ever read!   July 28, 1998
14 out of 16 found this review helpful

The book is clearly and concisely written. Examples are relevent to each concept covered, and concepts are carried through-out the book. One can easily understand the links, and underlying fundamentals, of statistical analysis. this is the only stat book I have ever read in which relationships are clearly and easily understood. (and I have read several stat books!)