Expect The Unexpected: A First Course In Biostatistics

by Raluca Balan, Gilles Lamothe

Overview

Statistical reasoning and modeling are of critical importance to modern biology. This textbook introduces fundamental concepts from probability and statistics which will pave the way for the student of biology to become a well-rounded scientist. No previous study of probability or statistics is assumed. Calculus-topics are not used extensively in this book, though some integration and differentiation are expected. The calculus prerequisite is primarily intended to assure a certain level of mathematical maturity.

This book puts emphasis on examples, which are presented to motivate the theory. The presentation style is concise and self-contained, briefly including the mathematical elements that are needed for studying, probability and statistics. The examples are relevant to students in the life sciences with interests in genetics, biology ecology, health, etc.

We believe that aspects of probability theory are of biological interest and that probability underlies the theory of inferential statistics. Thus, we place an equal emphasis on probability and statistics which are both essential for solving and understanding many types of biological problems.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9789814291323
Publisher:	World Scientific Publishing Company, Incorporated
Publication date:	04/26/2011
Pages:	252
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.80(d)

Table of Contents

Preface v

Probability 1

1 Introduction to Probability 3

1.1 Interpreting Probabilities 3

2 Elementary Genetics and Probability 7

2.1 Tree Diagrams and Punnett Squares 7

2.2 Computation Methods 12

2.3 Problems 18

3 Axioms of Probability 21

3.1 Venn Diagrams 21

3.2 Addition Rule 26

3.3 Problems 28

4 Conditional Probability 31

4.1 Definition 31

4.2 Multiplication Rule 35

4.3 Bayes' Rule 38

4.4 Problems 42

5 Independence 45

5.1 Statistical Independence 45

5.2 Problems 49

6 Discrete Random Variables 51

6.1 Definition 51

6.2 Binomial Distribution 55

6.3 Poisson Distribution 58

6.4 Problems 59

7 Continuous Random Variables 63

7.1 Definition 63

7.2 Normal Distribution 66

7.3 Problems 69

8 Supplementary Problems (Probability) 73

Statistics 77

9 Introduction to Statistics 79

9.1 Random Sampling and Data Description 79

9.2 Sampling Distributions and Point Estimation 93

9.3 Assessing Normality 100

9.4 Problems 104

10 Confidence Intervals 109

10.1 Confidence Intervals for the Mean: σ² Known 109

10.2 Confidence Intervals for the Mean: σ² Unknown 116

10.3 Confidence Intervals for the Proportion 119

10.4 Problems 123

11 Hypothesis Testing 127

11.1 Hypothesis Testing for the Mean: σ² Known 127

11.2 Hypothesis Testing for the Mean: σ² Unknown 134

11.3 Hypothesis Testing for the Proportion 139

11.4 Problems 143

12 Comparison of Two Independent Samples 145

12.1 Study/Experimental Design 145

12.2 Confidence Intervals and Tests for Means 147

12.3 Confidence Intervals and Tests for Proportions 160

12.4 Problems 163

13 Paired Samples 169

13.1 Confidence Intervals for μ_D 169

13.2 Hypothesis Testing for μ_D 172

13.3 Problems 176

14 Categorical Data 181

14.1 Test of Independence 181

14.2 Test of Homogeneity 186

14.3 Problems 191

15 Regression and Correlation 195

15.1 Least Squares Line 195

15.2 Regression Model 200

15.3 Correlation 210

15.4 Problems 215

16 Supplementary Problems (Statistics) 221

17 Tables 233

Bibliography 239