Applied Statistics

This handbook is a realization of a long term goal of BMDP Statistical Software. As the software supporting statistical analysis has grown in breadth and depth to the point where it can serve many of the needs of accomplished statisticians it can also serve as an essential support to those needing to expand their knowledge of statistical applications. Statisticians should not be handicapped by heavy computation or by the lack of needed options. When Applied Statistics, Principle and Examples by Cox and Snell appeared we at BMDP were impressed with the scope of the applications discussed and felt that many statisticians eager to expand their capabilities in handling such problems could profit from having the solutions carried further, to get them started and guided to a more advanced level in problem solving. Who would be better to undertake that task than the authors of Applied Statistics? A year or two later discussions with David Cox and Joyce Snell at Imperial College indicated that a wedding of the problem statements and suggested solutions with control language to accomplish these analyses would further the learning process for many statisticians. They were willing to undertake the project. Joyce Snell has done an excellent job of melding the two approaches and has carried many of the problems a step further by suggesting alternate approaches and follow-up analyses.

This book addresses the application of statistical techniques and methods across a wide range of disciplines. While its main focus is on the application of statistical methods, theoretical aspects are also provided as fundamental background information.

Rapid advances in modelling research have created new challenges and opportunities for statisticians. Statistical inference in observational studies and many other emerging fields have motivated statisticians worldwide to develop cutting-edge methods and analytical strategies.

S-Plus is a powerful environment for statistical and graphical analysis of data. It provides the tools to implement many statistical ideas which have been made possible by the widespread availability of workstations having good graphics and computational capabilities. This book is a guide to using S-Plus to perform statistical analyses and provides both an introduction to the use of S-Plus and a course in modern statistical methods.