Making Sense Of Data And Statistics In Psychology

Making Sense of Data and Statistics in Psychology

Statistics is one of the most useful elements of any psychology degree. This popular textbook will equip you with the tools needed not only to make sense of your own data and research, but also to think critically about the research and statistics you will encounter in everyday life. Features include: - Logical, intuitive organization of key statistical concepts and tests with an emphasis on understanding which test to use and why - Innovative graphic illustrations and insightful dialogues that help you to get to grips with statistics - Concise, easy-to-follow guidelines for making sense of SPSS - COverage of more complex tests and concepts for when you need to dig deeper Making Sense of Data and Statistics in Psychology will help you design experiments, analyse data with confidence and establish a solid grounding in statistics; it will become a valuable resource throughout your studies. Companion Site: www.palgrave.com/psychology/mulhern2e An innovative and easy-to-read introduction to understanding statistical concepts and data in Psychology, written with even the most maths-averse Psychology student in mind. Authored by the current president of the BPS (British Psychological Society), this second edition includes guidance for SPSS and extended statistical coverage to bridge the gap between conceptual understanding of data and how to run statistical tests. Confronts the challenge of teaching statistics The material is structured so that the reader revisits ideas at increasing levels of sophistication, building on their existing knowledge in order to develop their understanding of statistics. This book, grounded in the authors' research into the way students learn maths and statistics, provides a 'way in' to statistics for all Psychology undergraduates, from those who have studied Maths to A Level to those who find their statistics courses to be the most daunting of their university years. The authors emphasise the importance of developing a 'feel' for data, particularly through visual representation, before statistical tests are discussed in detail. Making extensive use of exploratory data analysis, the text emphasises conceptual understanding. Concepts are introduced and clearly explained, enabling the student to understand the foundations of data analysis in interpreting psychological research. There is an abundant use of examples from psychological research throughout, helping students to get to grips with different forms of data. Flexible approach Can easily be integrated into 'standard courses', but also used to support more mathematicallyorientated courses. Reinforces understanding Avoids the jargon that makes statistics so inaccessible to many Psychology students. Pedagogical features include Socratic dialogues between statisticsaverse students and their lecturers; 'Making Links' boxes to help students see the connections between basic and more complex tests; and innovative comprehension check boxes which encourage students to stop and think before reading on. A new feature, 'Making sense of SPSS', links this conceptual comprehension to the way students mostly carry out their statistical tests. Making Sense of Data and Statistics in Psychology ensures that students have a firm basis in the use of statistics that will serve them for life, not just for the duration of their statistics course.

Statistics, Making Sense of Data

Experimental Design and Statistics for Psychology

Experimental Design and Statistics for Psychology: A First Course is a concise and accessible introduction to the design of psychology experiments and the statistical tests used to make sense of their results. Written in a straightforward, effective style and making abundant use of charts, diagrams and figures, this book assumes no prior knowledge of statistics and will be of benefit to all students needing a clear pathway into this often confusing area. The book introduces the main aspects of experimental design and statistics, including: how to formulate precise hypotheses and design experiments aimed at testing them. coverage of different aspects of experimental design. descriptive and inferential statistical analysis of experimental data. the difference between experimental and correlational studies. detailed instructions on how to perform statistical tests with SPSS. An invaluable step-by-step guide to all psychology students needing a firm grasp of the basics, Experimental Design and Statistics for Psychology: A First Course will also fire the imagination of more ambitious students by tackling some of the topic’s more complex, controversial issues. This book is also supported by an online password protected lecturer resource site which features test questions, downloadable figures and tables, and sample SPSS data-sets. Visit www.blackwellpublishing.com/sani.