Michael Sullivan’s Statistics: Informed Decisions Using Data, Third Edition, connects statistical concepts to readers’ lives, helping them to think critically, become informed consumers, and make better decisions. Throughout the book, “Putting It Together” features help readers visualize the relationships among various statistical concepts. This feature extends to the exercises, providing a consistent vision of the bigger picture of statistics.

Statistics isn't an easy subject by any stretch and this book does a decent job of explaining complicated topics. The questions posed at the end of each section and chapter help narrow the focus as you can check your work in the back of the book for most questions. The author also includes instructions for how to perform the same procedures using TI-83/84 calculator, Minitab and Excel, which is extremely helpful.

GETTING THE INFORMATION YOU NEED: Data Collection; DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS: Organizing and Summarizing Data; Numerically Summarizing Data; Describing the Relation between Two Variables; PROBABILITY AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS: Probability; Discrete Probability Distributions; The Normal Probability Distribution; INFERENCE: FROM SAMPLES TO POPULATION: Sampling Distributions; Estimating the Value of a Parameter Using Confidence Intervals; Hypothesis Tests Regarding a Parameter; Inferences on Two Samples; Inference on Categorical Data; Comparing Three or More Means; Inference on the Least-Squares Regression Model and Multiple Regression; Nonparametric Statistics (on CD)

For all readers interested in introductory statistics.

With training in mathematics, statistics, and economics, Mike Sullivan, III has a varied teaching background that includes 15 years of instruction in both high school and college-level mathematics. He is currently a full-time professor of mathematics and statistics at Joliet Junior College. Mike has numerous textbooks in publication in addition to his Introductory Statistics Series, which include a Developmental Math series, and a Precalculus series, which he writes with his father, Michael Sullivan.  Mike has built this book in the classroom using feedback from his students. He is well aware of the challenges of students taking an introductory statistics course.  His goal is for students to be more informed interpreters of data, so that they will be better decision makers and have stronger critical-thinking skills. When not in the classroom or writing, Michael enjoys spending time with his three children, Michael, Kevin, and Marissa, and playing golf.