Handbook of Basic Statistical Concepts for Scientists and Pharmacists

Kunal Paliwal 
 Senior Biostatistician, INC Research - Global CRO, Koba, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India

Correspondence Address:
Kunal Paliwal
Senior Biostatistician, INC Research - Global CRO, Koba, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
India

Full Text

[AUTHOR:1]Shubha Rani

Publishers: Narosa Publishing House, New Delhi, First Edition 2012

ISBN 978-81-8487-144-9 (Paperback) pp 242

The title itself speaks about the authors' vision and motivation to write this book. The preface clarifies it further. The book has a structured format and thus it allows a stepwise understanding of the science of statistics. The use of the tables and graphs at the required places keeps the reader engrossed to the subject. The book is a good attempt to ensure that the audience tries to develop more of an understanding than just try to meet its needs.

This book is a synchronized assembly of topics that follow the tradition but in a well represented manner to teach the concepts. "Introduction" brings the reader face to face with the science of numbers and how it is related to our day to day work and thus is a curtain raiser. Chapters 2 to 5 provide the basic knowledge about population and sampling. The data are described in terms of where it comes from and how it can be differentiated for the purpose of analysis. Data presentation in both the numeric as well as graphical form is also dealt with adequately. Chapter 6 is an attempt to connect the readers to the core theoretical understanding of the pattern of the data and their correct use. Chapters 7 to 10 explain the tests used for data analysis and the inference of results. Chapter 11 is important for the planning needs of the user as it focuses on the sample size which is fundamental to obtain an inference based on the use and intentions. Chapter 12 gives an insight into the relation dependency among the data and Chapter 13 explains the extreme values that may influence the statistical inference.

Examples used in this book are quite motivating as they can be easily adapted to the needs of the target audience. The style of explanation makes the subject simple and clear for the reader. As it is rightly said pictures speak more than words, the use of figures at the regular instance does give a feel of comfort to readers and helps to make sure that the ideas percolate easily. The fear of losing the interest due to the presentation of formulas and derivations is still present but a sincere attempt has been made to keep this to minimum and only when absolutely essential and unavoidable. The target audience could have been assured that there are analysis packages available to do the complex calculations and the formulae can be used to ensure the authenticity of inference. The use of legends and shades for the graphs may also have made the presentation easier for first time visual understanding. In a nutshell, this book is a very nice attempt to guide the planning, execution, and analysis associated with the research work of pharmaceutical scientists.