Statistical Methods : An Introductory Text

The preface elucidates that the text is designed for degree courses in India. However, I imagine that it could play a useful role for those in Britain. It is mainly intended as an introductory text for those studying social sciences and economics. Individuals from other disciplines would, no doubt, still find it useful as a general reference.

The chapters are well written and easy to follow. An appealing feature of the book is that much emphasis is placed on the understanding and application of statistical methods. There is avoidance of excessive presentation of formulae. For these reasons alone I think that students will find the text attractive. Each chapter finishes with a series of well-formulated questions, which test the readers’ understanding.

The two chapters on Statistical Inference and Tests of Significance are excellent.

It is a comprehensive and interesting text, one that I think most students would find useful. Indeed, it is an useful addition to my library, having already referred to it often. The Statistician, London, Vol. 45, No. 3 (1996).