Illustrating Statistical Procedures: For Business, Behavioural & Social Science Research

The aim of this text is to provide a set of descriptions for various statistical procedures as they are applied in the conduct of business, behavioural and social science research. The text provides a conceptual overview of each procedure's purpose, use and application. Also included are discussions of some of the most important and fundamental statistical concepts which underpin many of the methods explored. To apply this knowledge, information about currently available computer software to carry out specific statistical procedures is included. This text is not designed to teach statistics, but will instead acquaint students with important concepts and procedures as a precursor to other learning. Learning about statistics is a stressful activity for many people. This text is designed to painlessly acquaint students, beginning researchers and statistical novices with a wide range of analytical possibilities. Through straightforward descriptions and concrete illustrations, the text explores procedures ranging from the simple (e.g., graphs and correlations) to the complex (e.g., structural equation models and time series analysis). Readers will learn which of the analysis tools is best to apply for a given situation.

Professor Ray W. Cooksey is Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Decision Making in the New England Business School at the University of New England. He earned his PhD in Psychology from Colorado State University in 1981. Since his appointment to UNE in 1982, he has taught and conducted research as a member of departments in three faculties, including the Faculty of Education (Centre for Behavioural Studies in Education; 1982-1989), Faculty of Arts (Department of Psychology; 1990-1993) and the Faculty of Economics, Business & Law (School of Marketing & Management, then the New England Business School; 1994-present). This background has provided him with a unique multi-disciplinary perspective on human behaviour as well as on research methods and approaches to data analysis.