STREAMLINED COVERAGE
Discovering Statistics: Brief Version is over 100 pages briefer than Larose’s full-length text, going from 13 chapters to 11. Some of the changes include:
• Chapter 4, Describing the Relationship Between Two Variables includes coverage of regression
• Chapter 11, Other Chi-Square Tests and ANOVA contains condensed coverage of analysis of variance and regression analysis in the larger book’s chapters 11-13
NEW USE OF NOTATION
Larose uses > and < in null hypotheses for the full version of the text (Discovering Statistics) based on statistical correctness. In the Brief Version, he has changed it to follow the style of key competitors by using a less technical approach of = for the null hypotheses. This change is found mostly in Chapters 9 and 10.
A BALANCE STATISTICAL LITERACY AND CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING
Discovering Statistics: Brief Version emphasizes the relevance of statistics in today’s world. Balancing computational methods and data interpretation, Larose helps students think critically about statistics and develop their own statistical sense.
SAME PEDAGOGICAL HALLMARKS OF LAROSE DISCOVERING STATISTICS, BUT WITH SOME UPDATED AND REVISED EXERCISES AND EXAMPLES
• "Developing Your Statistical Sense" boxes emphasize discovery-based learning.
Rather than simply stating a theorem or result, “Developing Your Statistical Sense” demonstrates how we reach this result, using graphical and EDA methods. This material also emphasizes student motivation and development of intuition by answering the question: “Why do we need to learn this stuff?”
• "What Do These Numbers/Formulas Mean?" boxes foster an intuitive approach and interpretation of results. Whenever a new formula or statistic is being introduced, the emphasis is on “What does this really mean?” Developing this understanding is just as important as getting the right answer, especially when the software can do the calculations.
• "What-If Scenarios" help students focus on statistical thinking vs. rote computation. These scenarios are extensions of examples or exercises. The original problem set-up is altered in a specific but non-quantifiable way. The student is then asked to think about how that change would reverberate through the results, without recourse to calculations.
• Rich variety of exercises. The text contains a rich and varied collection of section and chapter exercises, of three types in each section: Clarifying the Concepts (conceptual), Practicing the Techniques (skill-based), Applying the Concepts (real-world application).
• Powerful, real-world examples. Examples in Discovering Statistics reflect real-world problems, and engage the interest of the reader in their solution.
• “Step-by-Step” Technology Guide” shows step-by-step directions on how to use TI, Excel, and Minitab.