Applying Social Statistics: An Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning in Sociology

by Jay Alan Weinstein

Overview

While Applying Social Statistics is 'about' social statistics and includes all of the topics generally covered in similar texts, it is first and foremost a book about how sociologists use statistics. Its emphasis is on statistical reasoning in sociology and on showing how these principles can be applied to numerous problems in a wide variety of contexts; to answer effectively the question 'what's it for.' A main learning objective is to help students understand how and why social statistics is used. Yet, Weinstein's style and substance recognize that it is of equal-or even greater-importance that they begin to learn how to apply these principles and techniques themselves.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442203136
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	01/15/2010
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	448
File size:	17 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Jay Weinstein is professor of sociology at Eastern Michigan University. A former president of the Society for Applied Sociology, he is the author of a number of articles and books, including Social Change: Third Edition.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Statistics and Sociology: Computation and Application
Part 2 Part I. An Overview of Applied Social Statistics
Chapter 3 Chapter 2. Statistics: What It Is and Why Sociologists Use It
Chapter 4 Chapter 3. Measurement in Sociology: Quantity, Quality, and Social Aggregates
Part 5 Part II. Tools and Techniques of Description
Chapter 6 Chapter 4. Frequency Distributions and Public Sociology
Chapter 7 Chapter 5. Central Tendency in Microsociology
Chapter 8 Chapter 6. Dispersion and the Analysis of Social Deviance
Part 9 Part III. The Logic of Statistical Induction
Chapter 10 Chapter 7. Generalizations and Social Justice
Chapter 11 Chapter 8. Induction: Using Sample Means in the Study of Diversity
Chapter 12 Chapter 9. Hypothesis Testing: The Foundation of Sociological Theory
Part 13 Part IV. Bivariate Applications: Using Induction and Association in Sociological Research
Chapter 14 Chapter 10. Two Sample t-tests and an Application to the Study of Altruism
Chapter 15 Chapter 11. Comparing Three or More Samples in Small-Group Research
Chapter 16 Chapter 12. Association and Induction in Qualitative Sociology: From Private Problems to Public Issues
Chapter 17 Chapter 13. Correlation Description and Induction in Comparative Sociology
Chapter 18 Chapter 14. Regression Description and Induction in the Sociological Study of Globalization
Chapter 19 Chapter 15. Supplemental Material Online

Editorial Reviews

Weinstein uses his passion for statistics and applied sociology to turn the natural anxiety of most elementary statistics students into enthusiasm for quantitative reasoning. The narrative is coherent and the material is presented cumulatively; ideas that are introduced early in the text are revisited in later sections. The writing style is clear and student-friendly, and every major topic is illustrated with examples, tables, and figures. Every formula and equation is carefully explained. This book will fill an existing gap in current texts dealing with applied social statistics.

Raouf Hanna

Unlike most statistics textbooks, this text has 'Solution Centered Applications' of statistics as central components, helping students understand how statistics can be applied to real-life problems. The author's ability to explain even complex issues in a straightforward manner makes this text perfect for students new to (and afraid of) statistics and is equally useful for those needing a refresher.

Dr. E. Andreas Tomaszewski