The Data Game: Controversies in Social Science Statistics [Paperback]

This book introduces students to the collection, uses, and interpretation of statistical data in the social sciences. It would suit all social science introductory statistics and research methods courses. Separate chapters are devoted to data in the fields of demography, housing, health, education, crime, the economy, wealth, income, poverty, labor, business statistics, and public opinion polling, with a concluding chapter devoted to the common problem of ambiguity. Each chapter includes multiple case studies illustrating the controversies, overview of data sources including web sites, chapter summary and a set of case study questions designed to stimulate further thought.

1. Introduction  2. Demography  3. Housing  4. Health  5. Education  6. Crime  7. The National Economy  8. Wealth, Income, and Poverty  9. Labor Statistics  10. Business Statistics  11. Government  12. Public Opinion Polling  13. Conclusions

This book introduces students to the collection, uses, and interpretation of statistical data in the social sciences. It would suit all social science introductory statistics and research methods courses. Separate chapters are devoted to data in the fields of demography, housing, health, education, crime, the economy, wealth, income, poverty, labor, business statistics, and public opinion polling, with a concluding chapter devoted to the common problem of ambiguity. Each chapter includes multiple case studies illustrating the controversies, overview of data sources including web sites, chapter summary and a set of case study questions designed to stimulate further thought.

Mark Maier, Department of Economics, Glendale Community College, USA.

Jennifer Imazeki, Department of Economics, San Diego State University, USA.

Even in social science, the facts don'tls*