Bravo to Terrell for creating an introduction to statistics that is friendly, conversational, and understandable. His focus on the most frequently used statistical analyses, vocabulary, and methods is absolutely what students need. Terrell offers hundreds of authentic and timely research examples and case studies, leading readers through the research process in a supportive and interactive manner. I applaud the sections with key words, formulas to know, and self-quizzes. This is an excellent text for beginners in a quantitative research class or general introduction to research, such as a master's-level Introduction to Educational Research course. It is also useful for early-career academics writing their beginning journal articles, or for experienced faculty members to use as a terrific reference source.--Lynne Schrum, PhD, Dean, College of Education and Human Services, West Virginia University
The readability of this book is a definite plus; it will be easily accessible to advanced undergraduates and graduate students. Specialized vocabulary is defined and used in context, and concepts are clearly explained. I like how the end-of-chapter quizzes require students to integrate concepts highlighted in a given chapter with relevant information from previous chapters. The graphics visually build statistical concepts on one another--I particularly like the continued use of the sample distributions and how they are tied to use of normal curve assumptions.--Chris Ohana, PhD, Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Program, Western Washington University
I applaud the author for linking statistical reasoning to a problem-oriented framework and for including a discussion of how to identify a researchable problem and frame research questions. These are serious omissions in many texts. The book is well situated to inform upper-level undergraduate and graduate students pursuing practitioner-related degrees. It does a good job of laying out a framework for inquiry and aligning statistical reasoning and tools with this framework. It is written for an audience who may do some basic statistical calculations and analysis, but who primarily will be consumers of statistics and quantitative research. I will recommend this text to colleagues who teach statistics or more general research methods courses for this audience.--Tammy Kolbe, EdD, Center for Education Policy Analysis, Neag School of Education, University of Connecticut
Terrell sees the application of statistics as useful for answering all sorts of interesting academic and real-life questions. His explanations reveal the mysteries behind inferential statistics as he describes how to think statistically. Readers will discover the connections among the hypothesis, dependent measures, selection of appropriate inferential statistical analysis procedures, and how to interpret the evidence. The detailed, step-by-step directions on how to conduct statistical tests using SPSS are a plus; Terrell teaches both theory and practice.--Dave Edyburn, PhD, Director of Research, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
This book uses interesting examples and demonstrations to explain every aspect of the data-analytic process, from developing a sound hypothesis and selecting the appropriate analysis to understanding what the results actually mean. It is easy to understand, surprisingly practical, and comprehensive. Most important, Terrell directly addresses the most common analysis question that I hear from my own students: 'How do I know which statistical analysis to use?' This is the kind of text that students will keep and refer back to repeatedly during subsequent courses.--Matthew K. Burns, PhD, Department of Special Education, University of Missouri-Columbia
One of the best things about Terrell's book is that it makes clear just how easy and intuitive statistics is. It does a better job than other available texts of expressing the core ideas through words, rather than numbers.--W. Val Larsen, PhD, Department of Marketing, James Madison University
Compared to other available introductory textbooks, Terrell's is among the easiest to read and understand. The material is presented well and I like that it is broken up into small parts. Research methods and data collection techniques are integrated effectively.--Brian L. Withrow, PhD, Department of Criminal Justice, Texas State University-San Marcos
Terrell makes it clear that his goal is to decrease students' fear of statistics--and he succeeds beautifully. This is one statistics text that students will want to keep on their bookshelves rather than sell at the end of the semester. Rather than trying to cover every possible statistical procedure, Terrell wisely decided to focus on the subset of procedures that practitioners in education will be using 90% of the time. The book's practical focus on most-used statistics, as well its informal style and systematic approach, make it a unique and valuable learning tool. Instructors will love using a text that is so easy to read and understand. In addition to course use, I will recommend this book to my doctoral students who are preparing dissertation research proposals. It will help relieve their anxiety about statistical analyses and provide good, reliable information that they can readily apply.--M. D. Roblyer, PhD, Adjunct Professor of Instructional Technology and Distance Education, Nova Southeastern University
The author's approach is friendly and gentle. This is clearly a textbook for students who have not studied statistics before and who may even be phobic about mathematics. The four-step checklist for a well-stated hypothesis will be helpful to students and there is an excellent discussion of sampling error. The examples are great--well chosen and well used.--Adam Thrasher, PhD, Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston
This is the textbook I wish I had written--it's relaxed, it speaks to you, it informs you, and at times, it even entertains.--Todd D. Little, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Kansas
A good index, a glossary of technical terms, appendixes containing statistical tables, useful end-of-chapter summaries, and full answers to all problems are attractive features. The author succeeds in illustrating the importance of statistical techniques for answering all sorts of questions arising in numerous real-life situations. An excellent text for beginners. Highly recommended. Lower-division graduates through professionals in social science or education research.--Choice Reviews, 11/1/2012
A step-by-step practical guide for interpreting research data that acknowledges the role of most students as 'consumers of statistics rather than statisticians'....Dr. Terrell describes a simple six-step approach that can be used to help select appropriate statistical tools....The book could be used as a resource manual for the student who is seeking a plain and simple explanation of terms and concepts in statistics; but even more beneficial, the eleven chapters are organized to serve as a core textbook for most introductory courses on quantitative and qualitative research methods. Each chapter contains pedagogical features....Provides a straight-forward, no-nonsense six-step approach for interpreting and presenting research data that will stick with 'consumers' of statistics long after they finish reading it.--Internet and Higher Education, 10/1/2013
