Elementary Statistics is written for students majoring in any field except mathematics. A strong mathematics background is not necessary, but students should have completed a high school or college elementary algebra course. Although underlying theory is included, this book does not stress the mathematical rigor more suitable for mathematics majors. Because the many examples and exercises cover a wide variety of different and interesting statistical applications, Elementary Statistics is appropriate for students pursuing majors in a wide variety of disciplines ranging from the social sciences of psychology and sociology to areas such as education, the allied health fields, business, economics, engineering, the humanities, the physical sciences, journalism, communications, and liberal arts.

Technological advances are reflected in the incorporation of, or reference to, several widely-used technologies. For the first time, references to the TI-83 (R) calculator, developed by Texas Instruments especially for use in statistics and business, have been included. The latest version of MINITAB (R) statistical software continues to be featured in the book's exhibits and exercises. Our free, text-specific software, STATDISK (R), has been completely reprogrammed for use with the new edition. A Web site has been developed to provide additional teaching resources for users of this edition. Advances in teaching are incorporated through such new features as the Cooperative Group Activities, the Decision to Data Exercises, the Cumulative Review Exercises, and a strong emphasis on using real data throughout the text and exercises. An increased emphasis on methods of data analysis is now integrated where appropriate, and an overall focus in examples and exercises on critical thinking and interpretation of results is included.