Product Review

Simple Statistics provides a concise and compelling introduction to basic statistics for students of criminology and criminal justice. Written in a conversational tone, it does not "dumb down" the material; instead, it demonstrates the value of statistical thinking and reasoning in context. The text covers essential techniques instead of attempting to provide an encyclopedic sweep of all statistical procedures. Author Terance D. Miethe illustrates how verbal statements and other types of information are converted into statistical codes, measures, and variables.

While most statistics texts emphasize how to do statistical procedures, they often neglect to explain why we do them. This unique book covers both areas, and the problems at the end of each chapter focus on applications, offering even more context for "why we do" these procedures.

Simple Statistics uses hand computation methods to demonstrate how to apply the various statistical procedures, and most chapters include an optional section on how to do these procedures in SPSS and/or Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. Helpful examples illustrate each statistical procedure, and specific problems, detailed summaries, key terms, and major formulas are provided at the end of each chapter to further highlight major points. A comprehensive Instructor's Manual is also available.