Preface

Customization

Introductory Statistics is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY) license, which means that you can distribute, remix, and build upon the content, as long as you provide attribution to OpenStax and its content contributors.

Because our books are openly licensed, you are free to use the entire book or pick and choose the sections that are most relevant to the needs of your course. Feel free to remix the content by assigning your students certain chapters and sections in your syllabus, in the order that you prefer. You can even provide a direct link in your syllabus to the sections in the web view of your book.

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Errata

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Format

You can access this textbook for free in web view or PDF through OpenStax.org, and in low-cost print and iBooks editions.

Coverage and scope

Chapter 1 Sampling and Data
Chapter 2 Descriptive Statistics
Chapter 3 Probability Topics
Chapter 4 Discrete Random Variables
Chapter 5 Continuous Random Variables
Chapter 6 The Normal Distribution
Chapter 7 The Central Limit Theorem
Chapter 8 Confidence Intervals
Chapter 9 Hypothesis Testing with One Sample
Chapter 10 Hypothesis Testing with Two Samples
Chapter 11 The Chi-Square Distribution
Chapter 12 Linear Regression and Correlation
Chapter 13 F Distribution and One-Way ANOVA

Alternate sequencing

Introductory Statistics was conceived and written to fit a particular topical sequence, but it can be used flexibly to accommodate other course structures. One such potential structure, which fits reasonably well with the textbook content, is provided below. Please consider, however, that the chapters were not written to be completely independent, and that the proposed alternate sequence should be carefully considered for student preparation and textual consistency.

Chapter 1 Sampling and Data
Chapter 2 Descriptive Statistics
Chapter 12 Linear Regression and Correlation
Chapter 3 Probability Topics
Chapter 4 Discrete Random Variables
Chapter 5 Continuous Random Variables
Chapter 6 The Normal Distribution
Chapter 7 The Central Limit Theorem
Chapter 8 Confidence Intervals
Chapter 9 Hypothesis Testing with One Sample
Chapter 10 Hypothesis Testing with Two Samples
Chapter 11 The Chi-Square Distribution
Chapter 13 F Distribution and One-Way ANOVA

Pedagogical foundation and features

• Examples are placed strategically throughout the text to show students the step-by-step process of interpreting and solving statistical problems. To keep the text relevant for students, the examples are drawn from a broad spectrum of practical topics, including examples about college life and learning, health and medicine, retail and business, and sports and entertainment.
• Try It practice problems immediately follow many examples and give students the opportunity to practice as they read the text. They are usually based on practical and familiar topics, like the Examples themselves.
• Collaborative Exercises provide an in-class scenario for students to work together to explore presented concepts.
• Using the TI-83, 83+, 84, 84+ Calculator shows students step-by-step instructions to input problems into their calculator.
• The Technology Icon indicates where the use of a TI calculator or computer software is recommended.
• Practice, Homework, and Bringing It Together problems give the students problems at various degrees of difficulty while also including real-world scenarios to engage students.

Statistics labs

These innovative activities were developed by Barbara Illowsky and Susan Dean in order to offer students the experience of designing, implementing, and interpreting statistical analyses. They are drawn from actual experiments and data-gathering processes and offer a unique hands-on and collaborative experience. The labs provide a foundation for further learning and classroom interaction that will produce a meaningful application of statistics.

Statistics Labs appear at the end of each chapter and begin with student learning outcomes, general estimates for time on task, and any global implementation notes. Students are then provided with step-by-step guidance, including sample data tables and calculation prompts. The detailed assistance will help the students successfully apply the concepts in the text and lay the groundwork for future collaborative or individual work.

Student and instructor resources

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Partner resources

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Contributing Authors

Daniel Birmajer, Nazareth College
Bryan Blount, Kentucky Wesleyan College
Sheri Boyd, Rollins College
Matthew Einsohn, Prescott College
James Helmreich, Marist College
Lynette Kenyon, Collin County Community College
Sheldon Lee, Viterbo University
Jeff Taub, Maine Maritime Academy