Simple statistics for library and information professionals

by Peter Stephen

This book, based on extensive teaching, is written with the conviction that statistical methods are within the reach of all students and practising library and information professionals. The mathematics of the discipline may be daunting, but here they are reduced to tools and techniques that can easily be learned, requiring little more than basic mathematical skills and a good pocket calculator. The subject is therefore presented in an intuitive, commonsense way, aiming to show the relevance and value of statistics in everyday library and information management. The authors demonstrate a range of techniques of practical usefulness; simply explained uses of methods and tests; examples for practice, with some answers fully worked; and common errors and pitfalls. The work will be a valuable and accessible text for students in library schools, and for all practising professionals needing to brush up their skills.