Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences

Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences by Alan Agresti and Barbara Finlay, published in 1997, is a comprehensive introduction to statistical analysis tailored for social scientists. The authors, drawing on their distinct backgrounds - a statistician and a social scientist - present key statistical concepts and modern techniques through engaging examples and thorough explanations. Designed for readers with no prior experience in statistics, the book methodically introduces core ideas and progresses to advanced applications. It highlights contemporary approaches such as residual analysis following chi-squared tests, mixed-model strategies in ANOVA, and an early, integrated look at model building and analysis of variance. Additionally, the text offers expanded coverage of logistic regression and provides an introduction to generalized linear models, ensuring that practitioners are equipped with relevant and effective analytical tools. The clear focus on real-world data and the use of statistical software in lieu of manual computations further enhance its practical appeal, making this 706-page edition an invaluable resource for students and researchers alike.