Book Description

Traditionally, Complete Business Statistics has been praised for its quality of presentation and the richness of problem sets that are realistic, stimulating and challenging.The new edition will continue to provide students with a solid understanding of statistical concepts and rich problems to stimulate learning.In addition students will be exposed to the most current uses of technology in business statistics.Students and instructors alike will enjoy using this text that now has more Excel and other software applications integrated than ever before. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Comprehensive and clear
This edition maintains the quality for which this book is known. It is clear and well organized. It is long, but as the saying goes, "Short writing makes for long reading." The length of the book enables a comprehensive coverage of the topics, the clarity of the writing means that you seldom have to struggle with the authors' meaning. ... Read more

Book Description

- The updated and expanded second edition of the internationally bestselling guide to principles and practices for undergraduate business and economics students taking mandatory economics statistics courses. - Features four new sections—on nonparametric tests, the Logit Model,the Probit Model, and causality tests—complete with new models and tests used in financial econometrics, and a new chapter on time series econometrics - Over 100,000 students enrolled annually - Includes numerous examples, completely worked problems, supplementary problems, and two full-length self-examinations ... Read more

Reviews (1)

It got me through Econometrics
This was an extremely useful book for the understanding of Statistics and Econometrics. Each topic had examples to show how the formulas work. The computer chapter went over the programming in SAS, Excel, and Eviews for the problems in the book. Best of all, the problems had answers. This is a must-have for beginning statistics and econometrics since it starts from scratch, and for theory students in search of an application. ... Read more

Book Description

"I think that the coverage of the text is excellent. It carves out a seriously neglected area and it very thoroughly covers the topic. The authors are very knowledgeable concerning the literature. This is an excellent text that provides a detailed, yet comprehensible account of how to estimate, test, and probe interactions in regression models."

--David A. Kenny, University of Connecticut

"Leona S. Aiken and Stephen G. West do an excellent job of structuring, testing, and interpreting multiple regression models containing interactions, curvilinear effects, or a combination of both. Procedures for testing and graphical displays of interactions between categorical variables have been done for years but none seems to have provided a comprehensive treatment or guideline for the analysis of interactions between continuous variables. . . . Aiken and West, however, address those issues quite effectively and thoroughly. . . . An aid to any graduate and/or researcher in their analysis of continuous variables. Highly recommended for graduate libraries."

--Choice

"The book would serve very well as a reference for applied researchers and methodologists. . . . In particular, this would be an excellent reference for anyone who encounters a multivariable prediction problem and has reason to believe that either a nonlinear model or a model including a variable product term would be appropriate."

--Contemporary Psychology

Researchers in a variety of disciplines frequently encounter problems in which interactions are predicted between two or more continuous variables. However, the current literature regarding how to analyze, interpret, and present interactions in multiple regression has been confusing. In this comprehensive volume, Leona S. Aiken and Stephen G. West provide academicians and researchers with a clear set of prescriptions for estimating, testing, and probing interactions in regression models. Including the latest research in the area, such as Fuller's work on the corrected/constrained estimator, the book is appropriate for anyone who uses multiple regression to estimate models or for those enrolled in courses on multivariate statistics.

Reviews (7)

revolutionary
This book has revolutionized the way psychologists think about interactions. It provides step-by-step instructions on how to probe the moderating effects after you find a significant interaction in a multiple regression.

The basic idea about interaction is that the relationship between two variables were different according to a third variable. For example, some risk factors (such as poor family income) may affect children's academic achievement in a negative way. However, if the parents provide enough support on their children's study, then it's possible that the risk factors will no longer influence their children test scores. Therefore, with low support, risk factors are very effective, but with high support, risk factors have not effects. This book teaches you how to probe this relationship in a systematic way, it covers 2-way, 3-way interactions and also quardratic relationships.

If you fully understand this book, the techniques you have will be enough for a masters thesis in your area.

A MUST have for anyone using regression analysis
This book takes a very practical approach to the analysis of interactions in regression. No other book I've used has covered these topics as clearly or in as much depth. The extensive discussion of decomposing interactions is a prime example. With the push to replace old techniques of dichotomizing continuous variables with a continuous (regression) treatment of these variables (especially in psychology), this book is extremely important.

Invaluable and accessible
Back when the book was first published, I was completing doctoral research. Aiken & West provided the explanations and instructions that enabled me to complete my dissertation. Nowhere else have I seen the information they provide; seldom have I seen statistical treatments as clearly and easily explained. Like many in the social sciences, math was not my greatest intellectual ability. This book made computing and understanding regression interactions a relative breeze. One reviewer bemoaned the lack of information on interactions among categorical variables. I suppose he didn't read the preface that specifically explains the reason for the absence: such information is widely available in any good statistical text. What Aiken & West provide can't be found elsewhere in any real depth. I am ordering another copy of the book because I'm tired of loaning out my copy to colleagues, especially one who has now begun to copy whole chapters. Yes, it's that useful.

Lacking
Yes, there is some good information and discussion in this book but for the price I would expect it to be more complete. For example, there is absoultely no mention of interactions between two categorical variables. I guess the authors ran out of steam. Also, the writing could have used some more refinement. I'd stick with Jaccard's volumes in the Sage Quantitative Applications series.

THE reference for interactions in multiple regression
While the presentation and writing might not be quite perfect for some readers, this book provides the best coverage of handling interactions in multiple regression that I've yet seen. Everyone who does multiple regression with any regularity needs to have this book on their shelf. ... Read more

Book Description

This applied book for engineers and scientists, written in a non-theoretical manner, focuses on underlying principles that are important in a wide range of disciplines. It emphasizes the interpretation of results, the presentation and evaluation of assumptions, and the discussion of what should be done if the assumptions are violated. Integration of spreadsheet and statistical software complete this treatment of statistics.Chapter topics include describing and summarizing data; probability and discrete probability distributions; continuous probability distributions and sampling distributions; process control charts; estimation procedures; hypothesis testing; the design of experiments; and simple linear and multiple regression models.For individuals interested in learning statistics—without a high level of mathematical sophistication. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Very Practical Book
I have found this book to be very useful with practical examples and case studies. I felt that as an engineer I needed to know how to use software(to save time)along with the formulas that work in it.This book satisfies that, using a very common software EXCEL..what could be better than this.
I strongly recommend this book for a high level course in statistics.

Good for first edition
I used this textbook for a course in statistics. I must say that it was better then the first time that I had taken statistics 5 years ago. The book uses one or two data sets per chapter that helps you focus your thoughts while learning the different techniques. A nice feature about this book that wasnt available 5 years ago is the Excel and Minitab examples which saves a lot of time that is ordinarly spent on copious number crunching. I would have given the book 5 stars, however I found some obvious errors in the book that should have been edited out before the release. Good starter book for sats. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good explanatory book
I used this book for my psychological statistics course last semester. Although I have had teachers in the past who explained things more adequately, this book did a really good job explaining things for the most part. I almost always use examples to learn how to apply knowledge, as working through a problem step by step seems to be the best teacher to me. Fortunately, this book has a lot of examples. And, as a bonus, these examples apply towards the social sciences so you can see how everything fits in with a topic you're actually interested in (let's face it, few are interested in math).

I had already taken a statistics course in high school, so my stats class last year was pretty much a review for me. However, I wound up actually learning more than I planned to because of this book.

Overall, I recommend the book for anybody learning statistics. ... Read more

Book Description

This comprehensive book offers an engaging look into new and traditional strategic management topics. Its thorough coverage helps readers develop an understanding of the wide range of theories and research available in this field—from competitive strategy and industry analysis to environmental trends and ethics. Integration of international issues throughout provides an essential understanding of global economics and its impact on business activities in any location.Chapter topics explore basic concepts in strategic management; corporate governance and social responsibility; environmental scanning and industry analysis; internal scanning and organizational analysis; strategy formulation; strategy implementation; evaluation and control; and strategic issues in managing technology and innovation, entrepreneurial ventures, small businesses, and not-for-profit organizations.For Strategic Planners and Chief Executive Officers. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Common sense for those that know business concepts well...
Although one may learn new terms, most of the concepts laid out in this book are fairly common sense, if you've had any type of job in your life where you had to do payroll, forcast sales, or any other "strategic" processes of doing business. This is not to talk down at the book....it is an excellent book that covers the topic(s) that it set out to quite well. In the real business world, you would always try to figure out the most cost effective way to increase profits, decrease costs, and simultaneously maintain workplace efficiency. I didn't really need a textbook to tell me that.

I originally bought this book on the advice of bain4weeks.com which recommended this as the text of choice to successfully test out of the Excelsior College Exam ECE Business Policy and Strategy. 120collegecredits.com did not have a study guide for this test at the time . While I merely scanned through a few of the pages, I ended up getting a "B" on what was supposed to the the "capstone" business degree class. The test was all essay response, which made it sound hard, but to be honest, it was probably one of the easiest tests I've taken. It took all 3 hours, but it was kind of hard to fail that exam. AS LONG AS you put something down for an answer, and it made sense to the senario. It was very open-response and more or less asked for your opinion on the best way to solve the particular case study.

I strongly recommend anyone wishing to get 3 required upper level semester credits in Business Policy/Strategy to register NOW for that ECE exam; it will be discontinued in Sept 2004. Grab the Strategic Management book if you feel you'll need a good review of what would be unfamiliar business concepts for you. TECEP does have a version of the Business Policy test as well . But I'd try to take the Excelsior version while I can. outlines the whole credit-by-examination process and how to finish your degree a lot faster.

See your business as an integrated whole
I originally used an older version of this book in 1991 when I took Wheelen's class "Strategic Management and Business Policy". The value of this book is Wheelen's methods of taking all the parts of a business and integrating them into a workable whole--the physical tool to enable such a transformation is the strategic business plan. I was only 20 when I read this book, and I was awestruck.

This was the most valuable book I read in college. ... Read more

Book Description

This comprehensive introduction to business statistics balances a conceptual understanding of statistics with the real-world application of statistical methodology. The latest version of Microsoft® Excel is integrated throughout the text, showing step-by-step instructions and screen captures to enhance student learning. The authors have been writing market-leading business statistics textbooks for over 20 years and this new edition contains the same student learning features that have made ASW products best-sellers. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Statistics for Managers Using Microsoft Excel
As a [MBA]graduate student taking my second statistics class the book is tremendously easy reading but has multiple "typos" where answers are posted incorrectly in the back or not at all. The PH Stats disk has flaws that prevent it from executing certain histograms, Pareto charts and other activities. Once the "bugs" are worked out of the PH Stats CD, it will be useful. The CD does work well but, if you are not computer literate and cannot troubleshoot the issues, you could be more frustrated than you want. As for the text errors, be certain to purchase the Solutions Manual with the book so you can check, and obtain right answers, for a wider variety of problems. "2" is a reasonable rate for the content. The rest of the problems detract from the books overall objective.

Excellent Undergraduate-Level Stats/Excel Book
This textbook combines good readability and yet is also relatively detailed. Statistics For Managers Using Excel 3E is well organized, with plenty of examples that make understanding the concepts easy. The problems at the end of the Chapter are excellent at drilling the concepts in student's heads, and the companion CD is also useful.

I will agree with the reviewers that mentioned the errors. There ARE some errors in this book, but overall compared to most other texts there are NOT a lot of them relatively speaking.

Overall, an excellent textbook for students taking a beginning undergraduate level Stats course.

Great on using excel for statistics
This book makes it easy to learn to use excel for statistical analysis. It covers both concepts and how to. I don't agree with negative reviewers who seem to have piled on regarding minor flaws. The book is good.

Blech - lots of errors, poor writing
I'm only through chapter 3, but I've found

* inconsistancies - not using the same term in the same manner; all through the chapter, it refers to class boundaries, but in the excersizes, they are called bins - you have to check out the solutions manual and figure out what they are asking for.

* circular definitions - using the term in the definition of the term you are describing (ie, frumious = being frumious)

* poor examples - when describing how to use an excel wizard to process data, it tells you to select E5:E12 - without describing what this range is supposed to be (bins? midpoints? data?)

* incorrect answers in the solution manual (some are right, some are not)

* PHStat does not function as specified in the book in all cases (ie, percentage polygons)

Frankly, the book is a big waste of cash, and should not be selected as a book to be used for statistics classes - unfortunately, neither the students nor the profs at the school I'm attending had a choice. I'm having a hard time believing this is a THIRD edition, with all the errors. Either the authors or the publishers can screw up on a first edition, but it takes an effort for both to do it, much less three times.

Too bad you can't give negative star reviews.

Not bad, I guess...
There is a newer edition out. However, the good thing about this one is the fact that they got a good Excel Section. ... Read more

Book Description

Based on their popular book, A COURSE IN BUSINESS STATISTICS, this condensed text by William Mendenhall, Robert J. Beaver, and Barbara M. Beaver emphasizes the important concepts and methods of statistics that students are likely to see and use in their future courses and careers.Clear and easy to comprehend, this text achieves a balance of manual and computer methods, and emphasizes applications.The authors' approach is reflected in their objective: to make inferences about a population from information contained in a sample drawn from that population, and to assess the reliability of the inference.Students are shown how to solve problems even where uncertainty exists, because uncertain situations will confront them in business.Using this knowledge, students soon begin to understand the role of statistics in making informed business decisions and in shaping daily life, and to appreciate the implications of reported statistics. ... Read more

Book Description

Designed for the one-term introduction to business statistics course with a college algebra prerequisite, this text places emphasis on data and the common techniques and methods used to analyze them in business.It introduces concepts using practical examples and illustrates them with computer output from MINITAB, Systat, Execustat, Microsoft® Excel and other software packages.Review problems requiring students to use previously learned concepts also appear throughout to promote understanding of the relationships among statistical methods. ... Read more

Book Description

This book is a valuable reference to Basic Probability and related problems, featuring unique discussions published in recent journals to support individual investigation.Chapter topics include combinatorial methods, conditional probability and independence, random variables, distributions, and simulation.For professionals in the fields of computerand actuarial science, electrical and industrial engineering,, operations research, applied mathematics, and statistics, who desire additional input to help solve the indeterministic business, government, and engineering problems they encounter at work. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

VERY POOR QUALITY
This is a pathetic book. You can study as hard as you like, but you will not be able to solve the problems at the end of each section. Why? Because those problems are totally unrelated to what's explained in the chapter. I know most people say this book is good -- its because they're either paid by the publisher to praise this book or they're phd or graduate students. And please don't think I'm making a bad review because I'm a weak student. I have an excellent background in calculus and other pre-requisits for this course. I have aced most of my math courses at my university, and never have I gotten anything less than B in any math course I took. I have done over 26 credits in math for my BS in EE -- calculus, linear algebra, Differential Equations, etc and I got A in 16 and B in 10 of those credits. However when I took this course, the book is so extremely poor that I got 60 in the first test. And thereafter the professor said exams will be open book and open notes because the material is simply too poor. Only students having a very strong background in probability would understand this. For a beginner in probability, this book sucks big time.

Don't buy another!
This is an excellent reference book for anyone taking a graduate level Math Stat class. I have read Hoag & Craig, Cassella, Mood Graybill & Boes, and Mukhopadhyay, and this book is clearly the easiest to read from simple distributions to moment generating functions, to transformations, etc.

After you read this, you are going to wish the author had part II covering inferential methods.

Ghahramani has manged to find the *perfect* balance!!
You won't believe what Ghahramani has accomplished until you BUY THIS BOOK (2nd Edition)!!

Instead of trying to intimidate the student with formulas from the abyss and his superior intellect, Ghahramani matter-of-factly shows you what needs to be seen, backs it up with *excellent* examples and side remarks, provides the opportunity to complete a problem set, and moves on quickly to the next section.

What we have here is the model of efficiency: Enough substance to retain clarity without being prolix.

The axiomatic presentation of probability allows the reader to develop the mental framework needed to have a *deep* and *comprehensive* grasp of probability that can truly be called understanding...

One of the reviewers here makes some pretty bizarre claims; So for the record: I am not a Graduate Student.. actually, I am an undergraduate Aerospace Engineering Major.

Ghahramani's English is Superior -- His sentences flow easily and makes for a quick read. If you cannot learn from this book, it is because you are either Illiterate, Lazy, or Inept at BASIC math.

There is *NO* Calculus until Chapter 6! Furthermore, nearly all the symbols used in the book are actually defined and illustrated in the beginning sections of the book.

This Book is Clear, Concise, and Well-Balanced. It is not filled to the brim with overly descriptive paragraphs that emphasize all the wrong things. Gharamani knows exactly where to place the emphasis so that you dont have to spend hours trying to figure out what is important and what is not. This is THE book to have for "Mathematical Statistics 1" or "Intro to Probability".

"An Excellent Book"
Saeed Ghahramani does a fine job with this text. This is a great text for those seeking a guided introduction to the fundamental elements of probability. I am a undergraduate mathematics major & find the material in this text pleasing to read and full of examples that aide in the learning process. This text reminds me of the Springer series of mathematics texts (with it's page style, fonts, & chapters). But one peace of advice, do not read through this book quickly. Take your time and do as many examples as possible (the odd numbered review questions are answered in the back so you may check your work).

Amazing Piece of Work!
Upon opening this book, I questioned its content. I said to myself blissfully "Is this going to be a good book about probability?" After reading some of these reviews I questioned this books style. After all, Saeed Ghahramani isn't one of the best writers on mathematics out there.

This book however, is amazing. It is a piece of art. With every page, I am given a new challenging problem. Each problem is for the most advanced mind who is willing to go beyond their capabilities. Every example is great in itself, and expands the readers mind as it did to me. Let's put it this way. I was a C+ statistics student my Freshman year after the first semester. After reading this book, and completing each problem to the best of my ability, my second semester grade was an A+ I completed the course right at the top of the math class due to this wonderful book. How good is this book? It is one of the best books of our history about probability.

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(Pros:)

~"Fundamentals of Probability" is a great book. Not only does it give you fun and challenging problems, but it gives you problems which you can relate to in your everyday lives. It gives you material which will stick with you for the rest of your life. It is that good.

~Each problem is right to the point, not too long, not too short. Every problem is just as long as it needs to be making it so great.

~The authors style is nothing short of genious. Sure, it is a little straight forward, but what would you expect buying such a great piece of work. By purchasing this, you have to have some notion of probability. You can't expect to pick the book up (never learning anything about probability) and loving it. You have to have some background.

~On top of it's great content, great style, and great time notion, Fundamentals of Probability has an outstanding cover. It is really fascinating actually. Think about it, probability is a very complicated thing. The book is like lighting, that's how beautiful and shocking it is.

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(Cons:)

~As stated in the other reviews, it absolutely needs an answer booklet. I had no way of coming to the conclusion that I was right or wrong on the problems, I just assumed I was right most of the time. It doesn't take much away from the book though.

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Saeed Ghahramani might not be the most well known author, but this should win him an award. He has written the most enjoyable math book I have ever read (Mind you, I don't like to read Math books at all.) I will definately read this book again, and keep it in my collection forever. What is the probability that lighting will hit you in the head? Very low of course! What is the probability that you will not enjoy this ingenious piece of work? Refer to the above statement. ... Read more

Book Description

Thoroughly updated and more straightforward than ever, Applied Linear Regression Models includes the latest statistics, developments, and methods in multicategory logistic regression; expanded treatment of diagnostics for logistic regression; a more powerful Levene test; and more. Cases, datasets, and examples allow for a more real-world perspective and explore relevant uses of regression techniques in business today.

Reviews (2)

Expensive
This is actually a pretty good book for a first course in regression analysis, examples are easy to understand and detailed.

The only bad thing about this book is its price, I also bought the Applied Linear Statistical Models from my friend. He told me that book cost less than this one and it is. That book includes all the pages this book has but with 2nd half of the book on experimental design topics. It's 2 times thicker but much cheaper, and by the same author. Just the publisher that is different.

If it wasn't that pricy, I would give a 5.

Can't I receive 'Student Solutions Manual'?
I'm a senior, business administration, Yonsei Univ. in Korea. I'm studying Regression Analysis with this book. This book is easy for students specilizing in other fields to understand Regression Analysis. Very good. I could understand Regression Analysis easily because all theorems are proved in the level of introductory statistics. There are, however, no solutions of problems. In preface I read that instructors may order from the publisher, Irwin, copies of the Student Solutions Manual. Can't a student like me studying by himself receive 'Student Solutions Manual'? I'm eager to check my solutions. I don't want to stop to study Regression Analysis ... Read more

Book Description

SPSS 10.0 Guide to Data Analysis is a friendly and easy-to-understand book that enables readers to describe data, test hypotheses, and examine relationships using SPSS. Chapter exercises provide comprehensive examples of basic statistical techniques, giving readers necessary practice. Solutions to selected exercises demonstrate step-by-step procedures.MAREKT: ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good Support Text
This is the required text for an SPSS class I am taking. The book is well written and clear. It has proven to be a helpful and useful support text to what we cover in class, especially to go deeper on certain topics. If you want to (have to) learn SPSS, I recomment this book. Take courage, SPSS is not that hard and I am even finding myself enjoying it (thanks in part to this book)!

...

SPSS 10.0 Guide to Data Analysis
This is one of the three best introductory books on SPSS that I am familiar with. The others are Data Analysis by Jeremy Foster and Discovering Statistics by Andy Field. SPSS is a powerful statistical tool and an exceptionally fine software package, its customer support is the best I have ever dealt with. Unfortunately their user manuals are not user friendly. SPSS 10.0 Guide to Data Analysis fills a gap. Norusis's book is written in a light, humerous style but addresses complex statistical concepts in an easy to understand manner. Statistics and SPSS are an arcane and diffcult subject, somehow Norusis has made her subject friendly and funny. This is not to say this is an easy book. One of the things I look for in software manuals is exercises that demonstrate the concepts of the software. The book includes a disk. There are 23 chapters in the book and exercises for 21 of those chapters. I have also seen this book on the book shelves of some of SPSS's training staff. I think that speaks highly of the quality of this book.

SPSS- Beyond just Statistics
Hi Friends, I was introduced to SPSS package during my MBA in Agri-business at MANAGE Institute-Hyderabad, India.And I was amazed with its capabilities. It can do wonders for any organization. And the book which I'm writing about just helps you to master necessary skills. But before you open the book or SPSS software, I strongly recommend you to brush up with concepts of Statistics and more importantly which tool is best for analysis. This avoids confusion in interpreting the output.

My suggestion to SPSS Inc., would be to include student version of SPSS Base free of cost to increase it's popularity. This software is not used efficiently by several organisations. The real power of SPSS lies in Syntax reference. So next time you open SPSS be prepared to explore as much as you can. wirte your queries and opinions to me at gopinathkoneti@yahoo.com ... Read more

Book Description

This book offers guidance to Windows and Macintosh users on the basics of SPSS and applying SPSS to solve statistical problems. This new edition has been revised to be used by both novices and experts. It helps readers learn how to select the appropriate statistical methods, conduct these methods using SPSS, and write results using APA Style guidelines.Topics covered in the comprehensive book include introducing the basics of SPSS; creating and working with data files; working with data; working with SPSS charts and output; creating variables; t test procedures; univariate and multi-variate analysis-of-variance techniques; correlation, regression, and discriminant analysis procedures; scaling procedures; and nonparametric procedures.For research directors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and statisticians. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Step-by-step guide that is a GREAT reference!
I am currently a Ph.D. student and have had a number of upper-level stat courses. I first received this book toward the end of the required stat courses (Multivariate Methods)...boy, do I wish I had it sooner. Everything is laid out in concise format, it is easy to read, and the material is relevant. Plus, there are also sample APA results sections in each portion. It is a great resource that any grad student should purchase! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

Your personalized statistics, SPSS, and APA tutor!
I first used this book in grad school where I actually took a class from Sam Green. I have been keeping it handy ever since. Every chapter explains the statistical test (purpose, background), gives a couple of applied examples, then takes you through SPSS step by step (what options to click on, etc.), shows you the results and how to interpret each based on the example given at the beginning, and then shows you how to write it all up in APA style (what to italicize, where to put spaces, etc., plus how to express it in words). It is the most useful and practical and easy to understand stats book (or stats teacher) I ever encountered. I highly recommend it to everyone, grad students, researchers, academics.

Analyzing and Understanding Data
A more appropriate name for the book would be "Analyzing and Understanding Data Using SPSS for Windows and Macintosh" to underscore the book's usefulness when one is analyzing data and wants explanations of the statistical procedures. This book is not only helpful to those who conduct quantitative research, but also helpful to students enrolled in applied statistics courses, in general research methods, and any course that involve the analysis of quantitative data. The book is very useful because the authors provide many chapters (i.e., lessons) with research examples of applicability, brief explanations of statistical procedures, discussions of underlying assumptions, step-by-step instructions using research examples (with data), descriptions of interpreting the illustrated SPSS output, and reporting the written or table results in APA style. ... Read more

Book Description

The emphasis of the text is on data analysis, modeling, and spreadsheet use in statistics and management science. This text contains professional Excel software add-ins. The authors maintain the elements that have made this text a market leader in its first edition: clarity of writing, a teach-by-example approach, and complete Excel integration. ... Read more

Book Description

Advance Praise for Managing Six Sigma "This book is a unique blend of practical knowledge and cultural change, revolution and evolution strategies. I recommend that serious managers buy the book, spend some serious time reading, and then go out and use its lessons to make a name for themselves."-William Baker, Benchmarking/Knowledge Transfer Office, Raytheon Corporation "I believe Managing Six Sigma will be the new reference standard for the quality movement in coming years."-Robert T. Hunter, Executive Vice President, Rehnborg Center for Nutrition and Wellness

"[The authors'] step-by-step process for integrating the tools of Six Sigma takes the mystery out of this methodology and, by itself, makes this book worth having."-Dennis Adsit, PhD, Vice President, Quality, Intuit

"Breyfogle's Six Sigma deployment methodology is explained in detail for four different business processes: manufacturing, service, transactional, and development. . . . His 21-step plan for each business process is explained in a way that allows any type of company to perform a successful implementation."-Mark Feller, Director of Quality, Baker Electronics

"Breyfogle teaches not only the wider application but also the deeper implications and in-depth implementation of Six Sigma deployment in organizations large and small."-Ram Josyula, President, gelrad.com

Managing Six Sigma is the only book that provides both detailed coverage of Six Sigma techniques and effective methods for managing those who implement Six Sigma. With real-world case studies recounting the triumphs and pitfalls encountered during successful implementations at Motorola and General Electric-plus plans, checklists, and metrics to speed up the implementation process-this rich resource helps managers solve problems effectively and ensure a fast, smooth, and successful Six Sigma implementation. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

An overview and outline to the ultimate 6 sigma reference
Yes, it is true as several others may notice, that Managing Six Sigma is a book that refers often to Breyfogle's much larger tome, Implementing 6 Sigma. This book touts itself as an executive guide to learning about 6 Sigma, compares itself to other quality initiatives like TQM and Demming, points out the differences and does so in executive speak. It does also make a statement that it will refer to the Implementing book so it makes no bones about that up front.

When you need more information, it points you to the section in the 1200+ page Implementing guide for the details. This book, however, gives you what you need to make an informed decision of whether 6 sigma may help you and your company out. I use it as a quick reference for the larger volume and quick hits. Besides, it fits in your briefcase and you can carry it on the plane instead of the Implementing book that is way too bulky to carry around with you. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has taken any 6 sigma courses as a refresher or for someone who wants to learn more.

Bringing together Quality and Strategic Management
I thought this book did an excellent job of putting the Quality Initiatives many companies are attempting to implement in perspective with the total Business Strategies of a company.
The authors continually point out that it is important to understand what quality initiatives are meant to bring about, and they focus the intent of the intiatives on bringing better quality to the customer, and an improved bottom line to the company.
Thought the book did a great job in pointing out implementing Six Sigma wisely is a "good thing", but attempting it for the wrong reasons, and with the wrong focus, simply isn't.

Be VERY careful in buying this book.
If you plan to "do" with 6 sigma, this book is probably not for you. Until now, I bought any John Wiley & Son, Publishers book on the premise that they always published quality....this book will make me more wary of what they intend the book to achieve (sales of more books or education of the reader). The books title leads one to expect it to be about managing 6 sigma and it may come closest to that objective, to use it's term, from 30,000 feet. Otherwise, it is mainly a marketing piece for a prior book by Breyfogle (Implementing Six Sigma). Dozens of times and sometimes two or 3 times on the same page the reader is treated to this: "EWMA techniques can be combined with engineering process control(EPC)to give insight into when a process should be adjusted. The mechanics of conducting an EWMA and EPC are described in Chapter 36 of Breyfogle (1999) Implementing Six Sigma."

The glossary and list of symbols are inadequate. The problem with the glossary is murkey unclear definitions.

Finally, the book is redundant with regards to listing repeatedly the "21 steps" it suggests to implement Six Sigma projects. Based on the table of contents, this should have been an excellent book. Evaluated on content, what a disappointment!

Hot mama
I don't know much about the book, but the author is a super hottie tele skiing babe!

Not satisfied
This book is primarily a marketing book for the author's first book. In every chapter, critical items are refered back to the author's first work. If you've read that book, you'll find this one interesting in regard to deployment. If you haven't read the first book, you'll feel you have been cheated in this book. I know I do. ... Read more

Book Description

Focusing on the analysis of data using modern statistical and spreadsheet software, Hildebrand and Ott emphasize making sense of data and discuss not only how a statistical method is applied, but why and why not.Throughout the book, the authors integrate computer use into the development of statistical concepts, emphasizing the value of looking at data to make sure the right questions are being asked.The real-life applications and examples throughout challenge students to think like managers.The case that concludes every chapter asks students to deal with a relatively unstructured situation and to explain the statistical reasoning in nontechnical language.Modern statistical methods, including resampling and bootstrapping are included.In addition, the authors emphasize quality control and improvement throughout the book and include three full chapters on regression and correlation methods. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The worst one among intro statistics books.
My MBA class (top 20 program)used this book. But even my instructor did not recommend us to read this book. Instead he just taught class with his own hand-out. We only used this book for exercise problems. There were students who had many years of research experience. But they even complained about this book and recommended me to read Anderson's " Statistics for Business and Economics". Anyway, I think if you have a good instructor it is O.K. Otherwise I am sure that it will be very painful. Gook luck.

wow
You better hope you have a good teacher. Don't use it as a last resort to study, if you can even find where a certain topic starts, its nearly impossible to follow.

The Worst Book on the Planet
DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!
This by far the worst book I have come accross in my life.
I am a mechanical engineer taking statistics for my MBA. Fortunately I have a very good intstructor so I dont even use the book.
Its worthless. Seems like the author is talking to himself.

The worse book about statistics
Do NOT buy this book. I am sure the author understands a lot about statistics but he definitely does not know how to organize its ideas. The book makes the subject appear much more complex than it really is. If you need to learn statistics are not a Statistics PhD student then what I really recommend you to do is to get another book. For MBA students: This book is way more complex than you will need to know for your studies.

A muddled mess
It's hard to believe that a Wharton professor produced this book but I guess it's just proof that no school is perfect. I'm sure the authors understand statistical analysis but they have no clue how to organize the material or communicate what they know effectively. Honestly, even if you have learned the concepts for a chapter through another source this book can be hard to follow.

Want an example of the murky text? Try this typical run-on sentence quoted directly from the book. "In the same way, the normal random variable is an abstraction, because in theory any numerical value, negative as well as positive, is possible, and the probability histogram is a smooth, symmetric, bell-shaped curve." Try stringing together 800 pages of similar prose and you have an idea what awaits you here.

I watched an entire class including the professor disown this book because it was useless. Do yourself a favor and avoid this turkey if at all possible. ... Read more