Statistical Methods in Biology

Norman T. J. Bailey (Author)

9780521469838, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 26 January 1995

272 pages
21.5 x 13.6 x 1.5 cm, 0.38 kg

Generations of biologists have relied upon this useful book, which presents the basic concepts of statistics so lucidly and convincingly. It recognises that students must be aware of when to use standard techniques and how to apply the results they obtain. Since many biologists do not have a strong mathematical background, the arguments are gauged in terms which can be easily understood by those with only an elementary knowledge of algebra. Mathematical derivations are avoided and formulae are only used as a convenient shorthand. Although the subject is presented with great simplicity, the coverage is wide and will satisfy the needs of those working in many disciplines. New material for this third edition includes consideration of pocket electronic calculators, and a special chapter is devoted to a discussion of the problems associated with numerical calculation, electronic calculators and computers.

Preface
1. Introduction
2. Variability and frequency distributions
3. Estimation, standard errors and confidence limits
4. The basic idea of a significance test
5. Simple significance tests based on the normal distribution
6. The use of t-tests for small smaples
7. Contingency tables and X2
8. X2-tests of goodness-of-fit and homogeneity
9. The correlation of measurements
10. Regression analysis
11. Simple experimental design and the analysis of variance
12. Introduction to factorial experiments
13. Random samples and random numbers
14. Partial correlation and multiple regression
15. Non-parametric and distribution-free tests
16. Notes on numerical calculation, calculators and computers
Appendix tables
Index.

Subject Areas: Maths for engineers [TBJ], Biology, life sciences [PS], Maths for scientists [PDE]