The Nature of Statistics

Focusing on everyday applications as well as those of scientific research, this classic of modern statistical methods requires little to no mathematical background. Readers develop basic skills for evaluating and using statistical data. Lively, relevant examples include applications to business, government, social and physical sciences, genetics, medicine, and public health.
"W. Allen Wallis and Harry V. Roberts have made statistics fascinating." — The New York Times
"The authors have set out with considerable success, to write a text which would be of interest and value to the student who, not concerned primarily with statistical technics, must understand the nature and methodology of the subject in order to make proper use of its results." — American Journal of Public Health and the Nation's Health
"This book is a distinct and important contribution to the text literature in statistics for social scientists and should be given careful consideration by sociologists." — American Sociological Review.

Economist and statistician W. Allen Wallis (1912–98) was Dean of the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and President and Chancellor of the University of Rochester. An advisor to four U.S. presidents, he also served as President of the American Statistical Association and as Chairman of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.Statistician and educator Harry V. Roberts (1923–2004) was Sigmund E. Edelstone Professor Emeritus of Statistics and Quality Management at the University of Chicago Graduate School, where he was associated for more than 40 years. A pioneer in the application of Bayesian statistics to business decision making, he was involved in the development of computer methods for statistical analysis.