Statistics: Informed Decisions Using Data

For algebra-based Introductory Statistics Courses.

This very popular text is written to promote student success while maintaining the statistical integrity of the course. The author draws on his teaching experience and background in statistics and mathematics to achieve this balance. Three fundamental objectives motivate this text: (1) to generate and maintain student interest, thereby promoting student success and confidence; (2) to provide extensive and effective opportunity for student practice; (3) Allowing for flexibility of teaching styles.

Datasets and other resources (where applicable) for this book are available here.

 

Mezbahur Rahman, Ph.D.: Minnesota State University:

“Now-a-days it is difficult to have a distinct pedagogy. But I would say Sullivan is one of among the elites.”

 

Rita Kolb, Ph.D. Community College of Baltimore County

“. . . the examples and exercises are excellent: relevant and interesting.”

“Sullivan is very readable. . . . He writes more like a statistics instructor, not a math instructor.

[re: real world data] “Sullivan does very well in the use of real data.”

 [re: examples] “Sullivan has a style of writing interesting to students and instructors; he finds examples and problems that are current and relevant. As an instructor that motivates me and in turn the students tend to be more motivated.”

 

Thomas S. Pomykalski, Madison Area Technical College

[re: overall text] “Clear, concise, well written and supported by excellent examples.”

 

Virginia Parks, Ph.D., Georgia Perimeter College

[re: overall text] “Sullivan has current, topical data and examples–students notice that.”

                                                        

William Applebaugh, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin — Eau Claire

[re: exercises] “We look for the exercises to graduate from simple to realistic. That is one of the qualities that we like best about Sullivan.”

“. . . it is as modern, if not more modern, in its approach as any other text on the market.”

 

Daniel C. Weiner, Ph.D., Boston University

“Sullivan is ultra-organized; his treatment is honest — he has the integrity to offer students a truthful version of statistical reality (ideas, attitudes, calculations, abstract definitions as required) without attempting to dumb it down for them.”

 

Jada P. Hill, Richland College

“. . . the Sullivan text has given my method of teaching statistics new meaning.”

“Now, my goals were to (1) ensure my students enjoyed the class while they were learning, (2) foster their desire to learning , and (3) reveal to my students that anyone can learn statistics given the right instructor and statistics text. All of my goals were met with the aid of the Sullivan text.”

 

Arjun Gupta, Ph.D., Bowling Green State University

“. . . Exercises are one of the strengths of this book. Sullivan has lots of exercises and they are good.”

 

Susan Lenker, Ph.D., Central Michigan University

[re: real world data] “Sullivan does a good job with this and is especially good at asking what the data means . . .”

[re: exercises] “I look to see that the questions progress with levels of difficulty and understanding ending with problems that combine multiple concepts, are based on real problems and that are relevant to students and incorporate the use of available technology. Sullivan does very well in all these areas . . .”

 

Carol Curtis, Fresno City College

[re: overall assessment] “{Sullivan’s} main strengths are its pedagogy, exercise sets, and abundant instructor resources.”

 

Said E. Said, Ph.D. East Carolina University

“[Sullivan’s] writing style & presentation make this textbook very enjoyable to read & easy to follow.”

“All I can say is that Sullivan is among one of my favorites.”

 

Kevin Bodden, Lewis & Clark Community College

“. . . Sullivan will help my students be more successful. The writing style and some of the pedagogy seems to go further towards putting the students at ease and alleviating their fears.”

“. . . I think that Sullivan makes more of an effort to help students understand ‘why’ and to appreciate the usefulness of statistics in their everyday life.”

 

Jill Smith, University of Georgia at Athens

“This is one of the best textbooks I’ve ever used as far as readability from the students’ point of view.”