A Sports-Oriented Approach to Introductory Statistics

No one can deny the obvious link between statistics and sports and many a sports fan can reel off a lengthy list of statistics about a favorite team or player. The anthology <i>A Sports-Oriented Approach to Introductory Statistics</i> cleverly combines the study of statistics with the high interest area of sports to create a text that delivers an engaging and effective introduction to statistical principles.<br><br>The first several chapters of the book are the statistical and mathematical offensive linemen often overlooked and under-appreciated but necessary for gaining a firm understanding of theory and statistics. This prepares students for the principles covered in subsequent chapters.<br><br>These later chapters are the skill players of the text and through them students learn things like how to predict points in the NHL determine if there is a home field advantage in football and compare MLB teams to find out if statistically any one team has been the worst over the past ten years.<br><br>Each example in the book uses real data from the sports world. The central limit theorem is explained by examining salary data from major league baseball. Understanding probability distribution of a discrete random variable is illustrated through the number of goals scored in the World Cup. Regression analysis is explored through evaluating team performance.<br><br>Each chapter of the text includes examples accompanied by complete step-by-step solutions. All problems require students to produce extended well-thought-out answers using the target principles. Symbols and formulas used within chapters are organized at the end of the chapters for easy reference.<br><br>This unique approach increases student interest and delivers important content in a relatable likeable format. <i>A Sports-Oriented Approach to Introductory Statistics</i> is written for courses in elementary undergraduate statistics and is an ideal supplement to standard required texts. The text can also be used as a supplemental text in many math and business courses grounded in statistics.<br><br><b>Andrew Wiesner</b> earned his Ph.D. at the University of Pittsburgh. Currently he is a Lecturer of Statistics at Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Wiesner has been teaching statistics for more than ten years. He successfully combined his passion for education with a life-long love of sports and supervised several undergraduate Honors theses in which students analyze sports data.