Essentials of Statistics for Business and Economics

Book excerpt: This text offers a brief introduction to business statistics that balances a conceptual understanding with the real-world application of statistical methodology. It features selected core topics from the author's "Statistics for Business and Economics", 6th Edition, condensed into 13 chapters. It includes many of the highlights of its parent, including the problem-scenario approach using real-world examples to introduce statistical techniques; chapter-opening "Statistics in Practice" applications from the business world; and "Notes & Comments" sections that provide additional insights on statistical methodology and how to avoid common mistakes. Methods, applications, and self-test exercises include hundreds of problems based on real data. Examples and exercises throughout focus on ways that statistics contribute to improving the quality of products and services. This text can also be computer integrated at the discretion of the instructor. Output for analysis based on Minitab is included throughout the text; instruction for data analysis based on Excel and Minitab is included in appendices of appropriate chapters.