Statistical Data Analysis for the Physical Sciences

A modern introduction to statistics for undergraduates in physics, with worked examples and case studies to illustrate techniques presented.

Adrian Bevan (Author)

9781107030015, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 9 May 2013

229 pages, 52 b/w illus. 132 exercises
25.3 x 17.8 x 1.4 cm, 0.61 kg

'This is an excellent text on the [principles] of statistics and their practical applications. It incorporates many useful and instructive examples, both in the text as well as in the exercises at the ends of the chapters … There is a primer on set theory and an exceptionally clear and unbiased discussion of the differences between frequentist and Bayesian approaches. In addition to covering the basics, [the book] also includes a chapter discussing and comparing a wide variety of multivariate tests.' Brian Meadows, University of Cincinnati

Data analysis lies at the heart of every experimental science. Providing a modern introduction to statistics, this book is ideal for undergraduates in physics. It introduces the necessary tools required to analyse data from experiments across a range of areas, making it a valuable resource for students. In addition to covering the basic topics, the book also takes in advanced and modern subjects, such as neural networks, decision trees, fitting techniques and issues concerning limit or interval setting. Worked examples and case studies illustrate the techniques presented, and end-of-chapter exercises help test the reader's understanding of the material.

Preface
1. Introduction
2. Sets
3. Probability
4. Visualising and quantifying the properties of data
5. Useful distributions
6. Uncertainty and errors
7. Confidence intervals
8. Hypothesis testing
9. Fitting
10. Multivariate analysis
Appendixes
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Statistical physics [PHS], Physics [PH], Science: general issues [PD]