Reviews (43)

Easy to read, easy to Learn
The set up of this book make it really easy to read.The print is a reasonable size for people with poor eyesight and this makes it quicker to read.To really know and understand, you will need to read several times but this will be worthwhile.

positive thinking
I really loved this book. It made me really look at my life and the way i was attracting negative vibes into my life without really wanting to. It helped me turn things around as far as my way of thinking and my life has been so much better.It has even helped me with my stress. I want all my friends to read it.

Read Abraham-Hicks instead
I can't say this book is all bad. It would be suitable for someone who is not at all familiar with the "Law of Attraction" principal. Perhaps you might present it to someone who has neverheard of these concepts. However...
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Subjects:  1. Social Science    2. Sociology    3. Statistics   

Reviews (33)

Bridge the gap
Statistics books are either too hard or way too basic for non-statisticians.
Lots of theory, not enough application
I've read the other reviews and I generally agree: This is a well written stats book, especially if you are trying to learn the underlying theories rather than just randomly banging around on a keyboard. However, don't expect this book to be a particularly good choice if you need to do anything much more difficult than a one-way ANOVA.Even though this book is 770+ pages long, Field doesn't address realistic scenarios. For example, even though he devotes about 210 pages to all sorts of ANOVA, there is no mention of repeated measures ANCOVA, which is not that unusual. In some places, he seems to suggest that something is really difficult (e.g., contrasts in repeated measures ANOVA) and then offers only weak examples of what to do about it with no mention of how to report what you've done. In fact, he offers very few examples of how to report results, and in some cases, his running examples are nonsignificant so his reporting examples stop short.All together, this is a good stats theory book with an intro to SPSS, but it's not the kind of book that is going to get you through many real-world analyses. I would recommend this book to undergraduates and graduate students who feel they need some more background, but folks in the field are better off looking elsewhere.

This was exactly what I was looking for!
The author provides clear explanation of various statistic techniques; what each of them means, when to be applied, and how to use them in a very understandable way. This was what I was exactly looking for. Good examples with step by step guide with actual dialog boxes from the SPSS window are also very helpful. I really like it a lot. It was a good priced book considering what it provides. Best stat book I've bought ever! Thank you!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Languages    2. Computers    3. Programming Languages - General    4. Research    5. Sociology    6. Statistics    7. Mathematical & statistical software    8. Probability & statistics    9. Social Science / Research   

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. History - U.S.    4. History: American    5. Reference    6. Statistics    7. United States    8. United States - General    9. American history    10. History / United States / General    11. Reference works    12. USA   

Reviews (2)

Very good learning version
This affordable version of SPSS allows students to learn how to use SPSS without investing a large amount of money on the full version ($600 or so).This version is limited in the number of variables and cases it can store, so students looking to perform serious analysis would be better off to purchase the SPSS Graduate Pack.

Not for graduate students
Unfortunately I didn't see the part about the student version being limited to 50 variables and 1500 cases until I'd bought it.The class I'm taking uses far more variables than that.I am wiser now.
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Subjects:  1. Mathematics    2. Microcomputer Operating Environments    3. Operating Systems - Windows    4. Probability & Statistics - General    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Statistical Methods In The Social Sciences    8. Statistics    9. Mathematical & statistical software    10. Mathematics / Statistics   

Reviews (4)

the nuts and bolts to put the thing together
I am working on my dissertation.This book got me out of my thinking chair and to my writing desk.The philosophical approach to qualitative research is very contemporary and will take us into whole new areas of research to improve and 'polish' humanity.My only objection is the cost.Does a book like this really have to cost over $60?Too much.

This is just awesome. This opens up a whole universe for the qualitative researcher.
When one thinks of qualitaitve research one tends to think immediately of focus groups and face to face interviews - but increasingly with research the game is shifting toward online surveys that generate wonderful amounts of open-ended content, and research projects may also involve ethnography and content analysis to gain rich insights. In other words the focus of the professional must shift toward that quesiton: "what on earth do we do with all this 'soft' data?" Those verbatims, those observation notes... there's a huge amount of data waiting for interpretation. Can you systematically analyse it?
Great Resource
As an advisor of doctoral students, I keep several copies of this book on the shelf so I always have one on hand to loan to students. I find it a very useful resource for students who are planning qualitative research. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Research    3. Social Science    4. Social sciences    5. Sociology    6. Statistics    7. Social Science / Research    8. Social research & statistics   

Reviews (5)

Perfect for small projects!
Note: SPSS 13.0 for Windows Student Version cannot open data files containing more than 50 variables or 1,500 cases. Having said that, if you have less than 50 variables and 1,500 cases to deal with then this is the software for you. It came with a (brief) 227-page users guide that was pretty comprehensive all by itself. Order the SPSS 13.0 Guide to Data Analysis to go with it, and you have just about everything you need to fiddle with and learn the basics of statistical analysis.

Excellent for SPSS and statistics students
I have used this product in a research methods class and found it to perform quite well.While it may not have all the features of the full SPSS package it is more than adequate and does not require the student to pay the hefty fee of the full version.

Very disappointed
Beware - if you buy the student version it is not big enough to run the files necessary that you work on in class. Nowhere did it indicate on the Amazon site that it had limits of file size. Wouldn't one assume that if you are selling a "student" verson, that it will be able to run your school files?Don't buy it if you are a college student and need this software to complete your projects. I wasted $80 plus dollars. Didn't learn of its limitations until AFTER I loaded it, and when it wouldn't work found the limitation statement in the manual. Very disappointed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Computer Programs    4. Interactive & Multimedia    5. Mathematical & Statistical Software    6. Probability & Statistics - General    7. Programming - Systems Analysis & Design    8. Software - Science    9. Statistical Methods In The Social Sciences    10. Statistics   

Editorial Review

A remarkable range of examples for the idea of visual thinking, with beautifully printed pages. A real treat for all who reason andlearn by means of images. -- Rudolf Arnheim ... Read more

Reviews (38)

An outstanding addition to my library
An outstanding addition to my library, Edward systematically explores the presentation of data showing the value of data rich content when it is properly displayed.After reading half the book, I couldn't sit through a presentation without coming up with at least 3 ways to improve it.The illustrations in the book are beautifully rendered and cover a diverse set of subject matter each as interesting as the next.The only topic concerning this book that I struggled with is whether or not to mark it up.In the end, as I do with all of my books I intend to refer back to, I did.

So you thought you knew how to envision information...
I recieved this book along with the most excellent (almost a companion book) Visual Display of Quantitative Information, from my CEO. Since I work a lot with numbers and he had been stressing the importance of presenting data clearly and concisely.
Fleshes out and expands the work Tufte has done on presenting information
"Envisioning Information" by Edward Tufte further fleshes out and expands the work he has done on presenting information.This volume is best suited for designers of complex information such as maps or schedules. As with his other books, it is richly illustrated with many colorful examples of well and poorly designed information displays.
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Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Business Communication - General    3. Communication    4. Communication In Groups    5. Computer Graphics - General    6. Design - General    7. Graphic Arts - General    8. Graphic Design    9. Language    10. Language Arts & Disciplines    11. Statistics    12. Visual communication    13. Computer graphics software    14. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design    15. Mathematics   

Reviews (5)

Grounded Theory
This is an excellent reference for those doing research that uses grounded theory to build theories.

Seminal Work in Grounded Theory
This book is a must for anyone looking to write theory, or for researchers looking to do qualitative analysis.

Grounded Theory Rocks
Glaser and Strauss's book is easy to read and offers a qualitative theory building strategy that is well structured. They provide a concise overview of the history of grounded theory and its uses. Moreover, they offer readers solid guidance on comparative qualitative studies and defense of the same in the world of research. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Methodology    2. Research    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Sociology    5. Statistics    6. Reference / General    7. Social research & statistics   

Reviews (3)

Definitive - But
Absolutely the main text but check it out from the library - you will use it approximately 10-15 times in your research life.

The Definitive Power Analysis Text
Cohen does a masterful job of taking the guesswork out of statistical power estimation.This text provides procedural guidelines for determining power for many designs, and can be quite helpful in determining propersample sizes.Not for the casual reader, but a necessary addition to anyserious researchers statistical library.

The classic statistical power reference.
Clearly, a must for every statistical library.This book is considered the authority on power analysis. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Methodology    3. Probabilities    4. Research & Methodology    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Social sciences    8. Sociology    9. Statistical Methods In The Social Sciences    10. Statistical methods    11. Statistical power analysis    12. Behavioural theory (Behaviourism)    13. Probability & statistics    14. Social research & statistics   

Reviews (3)

pre-req: mid-level stats experience
I had taken a class in HLM before, and I bought this book to refresh myself on the details.It takes a good deal of attention to detail and concentration to really get the full measure from this book, although it's all in there.Despite the authors' best efforts, there is a good bit of stats jargon in the book, so a reader who is not familiar might have some difficulty.If you're at a point where learning HLM is a logical next step, you'll be fine and I recommend this book.However, if your over-eager faculty advisor told you to learn HLM, despite your minimal experience in stats, you're better off enrolling in a class or workshop.

Good but sometimes skipping ahead too fast
This book gives a detailed description of the use of an advanced method to deal with nested data sets.
Useful, but need solid background in stats
This book describes important advances in statistical analysis of social science data, circa 1992. Much of this data has a natural hierarchical grouping. But traditional statistical methods proved inadequate at coping. The biggest drawback was the failure of the assumption of independence. If at the lowest level, Items I1,...,In are grouped into sets J1,...,Jm, where mRead more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Linear Programming    3. Linear models (Statistics)    4. Mathematics    5. Reference    6. Research    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Social sciences    9. Statistical methods    10. Applied mathematics    11. Social Science / Research    12. Social research & statistics   

Reviews (5)

This book is close to be perfect. Respect!
Bollen's book about structural equations is exceptionally good. Bollen does not only write and explain very well and thorough but he also is able to communicate a difficult subject. I would guess that even people form rather non-mathematical fields will find this book great because he really tries to explain even small technical details frequently neglected.
Bollen excels at a very difficult task
This book sticks out like a beautiful flower in a bed of weeds.
a must in SEM
I've taken a class in Structural Equations Modelling from Ken Bollen at UNC Chapel Hill. Naturally the book was the main reference for the course, so I went over most of it during the semester. The coverage in classes differed from the book material due to the recent developments, and my impression was that Prof. Bollen planned on writing a second edition of the book (although he is not quite happy about the pricing strategy of Wiley). For many things marked as "currently open problem" in the book, the solution, at least a partial one, have been found in the last 15 years of research in this dynamically developing area. The book is still a compendium of important basic results, and will be one for at least another 5 to 10 years, until another modern and rigorous treatment appears in press; so far this is the best reference I've seen. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Latent variables    2. Probability & Statistics - General    3. Research    4. Social sciences    5. Sociology    6. Statistical Methods In The Social Sciences    7. Statistical methods    8. Mathematics / Statistics    9. Probability & statistics   

Reviews (3)

Research and Theory Construction
This book's title shows that "qualitative research" is its primary subject, and "developing grounded theory" is its secondary subject. The opposite is true in the case of the book coauthored earlier by Strauss: "The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research." In the interval between the writing of the two books, Strauss may have realized that his thesis was about research work more than theory construction. But the text of this second book too presents research work as theory construction, as explained below. It could be thought that what is to be called a "theory" is a linguistic issue. But the definition of this term must not prevent the construction of real theories as distinct from empirical knowledge.
Qualitative Research:A step-by-step approach
Fourth in a series of books about grounded theory,this book describes in detail the procedures and techniques used in the grounded theory method ofqualitative research.The first-time qualitative researcher will now beable to go through the process with a competent guide, while theexperienced researcher will be able to find answers to unansweredquestions. The book starts with an explanation of the theoretical andphilosphical foundations of the grounded theory method in qualitativeresearch.Later chapters explain the different techniques that can be usedin this approach, with examples.Sections that give definitions of termsused in this research approach provide a clearer understanding of thediscussion in each chapter. This book is an ideal companion for anyonewishing to pursue qualitative research.

A Grounded Theory Classic (re-edited)
Excellent book to put in the hands of every student wishing to use qualitative methodology - in grounded theory - for a research project, especially at the graduate level. Strauss(who died in 1996, two yearsbefore the new edition of the book was published) and Corbin havethoroughly revised the first edition of "Basics of QualitativeResearch" and added, among other things, a FAQ based on theirstudents' questions. Caution, though, the book is NOT a step-by-step manualor a A-to-Z handbook for forging concepts, building categories andproperties, etc. and other books will have to be read as an introduction tothe technical aspects of qualitative research. Also, a complete newcomer toqualitative analysis may find chapters 5, 6 and 7 unclear until he gets tochapter 8 about open coding.Read more

Subjects:  1. Grounded theory    2. Research    3. Social Science    4. Social sciences    5. Sociology    6. Statistical methods    7. Statistics    8. Social Science / Research    9. Social research & statistics   

Editorial Review

Looking to live somewhere where houses are cheap? Head to Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Iowa, where the average home costs $75,700, and annual property taxes for that home are about $960. Perhaps a good job market is a higher priority. In that case, pick Phoenix, Arizona; Las Vegas, Nevada; or Riverside, California, as they top the list of places projected to have the highest-percentage increase in new jobs by 2005. Most of those jobs, by the way, are expected to have above-average pay. This and other detailed information can be found in the sixth edition of Read more

Reviews (31)

A city may be "great on paper" but beware!
These books are full of extremely helpful information, but I warn my fellow readers to take a place's culture into account before making a life-changing move. The books will not help you here. My husband and I bought a previous edition of Places Rated and devoured it while looking for a place to relocate from Los Angeles. We settled on a southern capital that seemed to have everything going for it, including consistently high rankings in Places Rated and every other city ranking we could find. Unfortunately, a city that looks great on paper may not be the place for you. Despite having lived in several states, we were unprepared for the surprising difficulties we experienced as "yankees" living in the south. From petty social and work discrimination to routinely being screwed over by one business after another hired to work on our home or car, etc., it became evident that we were identified as "yankees" on sight and treated accordingly. So much for southern hospitality! I assure you that we did our best to fit in and make friends, as we have successfully done in every other region of the country. After 2-1/2 years of this, we sold our home for a loss and got our "unsweet tea" out of there. Perhaps we were naive, not realizing that the yankee business is still such a potent issue in the south, but we will make future relocation choices with this experience in mind.

The best book of its kind.
It's tough to read a book of someone's opinions on where to live as its really a heartfelt decision each person needs to make for themselves. But most of this book is straight statistics, such as weather and crime. The book is big and leaves enough room for each metro area so you can read the climate graphs without too much eyestrain. It's the best book on deciding where to move that I found. I took tons of notes from this book, and it actually helped me pick an entirely new place to live than the ones I had originally thought of! The only section I didn't like was the arts and culture section. I'm into the artsy scene, but the authors rated cities based on number of symphonies and orchestras and operas - who goes to these anymore??

Love this book
This book is just great.I have bought every retirement-places-rated type of book that I can get my hands on and this author is by far the best.The millennium edition is twice as big as the last edition and every subject is covered that anyone would want to know about an area; cost of living, transportation, jobs, education, climate, crime, the arts, health care, recreation.I can't wait for the next edition to come out!We're not retiring any time soon so it's helpful to really be able to study and evaluate where we are going to want to retire. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Almanacs    2. Census And General Statistics    3. General    4. Metropolitan areas    5. North America    6. Quality of life    7. Reference    8. Reference - Guides (General)    9. Social indicators    10. Statistics    11. Travel    12. United States    13. Living & working abroad    14. Travel / General    15. USA   

Editorial Review

A timeless classic in how complex information should be presented graphically.The Strunk & Whiteof visual design. Should occupy a place of honor--within arm's reach--of everyoneattempting to understand or depict numerical data graphically.The design of the book is an exemplar of the principles it espouses:elegant typography and layout, and seamless integration of lucid text and perfectly chosen graphical examples. Very Highly Recommended. ... Read more

Reviews (71)

If a picture is worth a thousand words, better draw it carefully
The Visual Diplay of Quantitative Information is not exactly a how-to book, in that it won't give you step by step instructions on how to create charts. Rather Tufte shows us principles of good design, principles of bad design (i.e. how people lie with graphics) all accompanied by many inspirational examples.
Changed my style
I was one of those chart-makers who used color just because I could, even when it was unnecessary or even inappropriate.This book changed the way I looked at graph-making.His concepts of data per unit of ink (which should be maximized), and trying to make each droplet of ink convey something useful were extremely helpful, as were his suggestions to minimize distractions and phony 3-d effects.
The Visual Display of Quantitative Information
Very good book. I really enjoyed the quality of graphs and interpretion of them. Tufte gives practical guidelines and observations about graphs and graph-making. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Economics - General    3. Graphic methods    4. Mathematical Analysis    5. Mathematics    6. Probability & Statistics - General    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Statistics    9. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design   

Reviews (2)

You NEED this book if you are working on a dissertation
As social science researchers we want to know three things: Good book and very helpful
I had Rae Newton for the graduate methods course(s) at CSU Fullerton (502A and 502B).I have used this book many times to answer all of my questions (of course, when Dr. Newton was not available.)In short, I think this book should be used in all methods/stats classes.It really gets to the point and does not waste too much time with all of the formulas.I think it is meant to be used as a guide for non-math/statistics people who are using statistical packages like SPSS.It makes statistics understandable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Methodology    2. Research    3. Social Science    4. Social sciences    5. Sociology    6. Statistical methods    7. Statistics    8. Probability & statistics    9. Social Science / Research    10. Social research & statistics   

Editorial Review

"There is terror in numbers," writes Darrell Huff in Read more

Reviews (65)

Required Reading for all who read statistics
A classic first edition description of how to skeptically review projections, and the reason why this view is so true.This book was first published in 1954 and all of its comments remain very poignant.

excellent
not quite what i was expecting, but then i probably would have discovered that if i had read other reviews!i'm planning on taking a statistics course this fall and wanted a quick refresher before the class.this was recommended to me a fun general stat book, so i purchased it.it really is a quick and fun read.mr. huff's examples are a little dated, but still very relevant.if anything it makes it more fun to read with the outdated statistics and goofy illustrations.the chapters are clearly presented and it's an excellent very general introduction to statistics.for something more broad i would recommend "practical statistics simply explained", also available at amazon.

improved with age
Who said numbers have to be dull? This book was funny, very funny, when it was first published fifty years ago.
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Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business/Economics    3. General    4. Mathematical Statistics    5. Probability & Statistics - General    6. Statistics    7. Probability & statistics   

Subjects:  1. Advertising & Promotion    2. Business & Economics    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business/Economics    5. Internet - General    6. Marketing - General    7. Marketing Research    8. Statistical Methods In The Social Sciences    9. Statistics    10. Business & Economics / Marketing / General   

Reviews (4)

Excellent first book for nonparametric stat methods
This is an excellent first book for nonparametric statistical methods.It is a cookbook, but is a good introduction to the many nonparametric techniques for assessing data.These are oftentimes much better suited for your data than the standard stuff you get in intro to statistics.The book by David J. Sheskin or by Conover should your next book.

an easy-to-follow tool book, but use w/ caution
For a non math major (or stats major) user, this book offers an easy way to have works done quickly. But be cautious, an first-class cookbook does not necessarily yeild a first-class meal on your table.

Excellent nonparametric statistics book
This is (together with Empirical Methods for Artificial Intelligence by Paul R. Cohen) the best of the statistics books I read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Mathematical Statistics    3. Nonparametric statistics    4. Probability & Statistics - General    5. Psychology    6. Psychometrics    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Social sciences    9. Statistical methods    10. Statistics    11. Technology & Industrial Arts    12. Philosophy & theory of psychology    13. Probability & statistics    14. Psychology & Psychiatry / Statistics   

Reviews (7)

Very Displeased
I have had this book for two semsters at a grad level. The information is confusing and at times leaves one lost. I am very displeased with the book. It has not helped me in no way understanding the meaning behind behavioral stats. In fact I am more confused now. I wish the book could have given more details on explaining stats instead of so many examples. The examples are find but the problem is they are continued from the beginning of the book. And if one doesnot grasp the beginning then how can one grasp the remainer of the text. I wouldnot recommend this book to no one.
A clear and comprehensive introductory statistics text
I have been using this text for Levels 1, 2, and 3 social sciences statistics teaching in Britain and abroad for over 8 years now. Although I have tried using other introductory texts, I have yet to find a text as comprehensive and as clearly written as this.

The worst stats book for the social sciences
I hate to be so critical, but I must agree with my colleague who described his/her harrowing experience with this textbook. I have two rules about learning statistics: no one is ever above a review of the most basic topics and an author/professor can never go wrong by providing a variety of examples within the same topic area. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Mathematics    3. Probability & Statistics - General    4. Psychology    5. Psychometrics    6. Research & Methodology    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Social sciences    9. Statistical methods    10. Statistics    11. Probability & statistics    12. Psychology & Psychiatry / Counseling   

Reviews (1)

This *could* have been great...
At first browse, this book looks a bit like one of Julius Bendat's excellent texts on time series analysis: dense in formulas, but rewarding the wade.
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Subjects:  1. Biostatistics    2. Healing    3. Medical    4. Medical / Nursing    5. Pharmacy    6. Research    7. Social Science    8. Statistics    9. Epidemiology & medical statistics    10. Mathematics / Statistics    11. Probability & statistics