Statistics for Economics Accounting and Business Studies

Abstract

This text is aimed at students of economics and the closely related disciplines of accountancy, fnance and business, and provides examples and problems relevant to those subjects, using real data where possible. The text is at a fairly elementary university level and requires no prior knowledge of statistics, nor advanced mathematics. For those with a weak mathematical background and in need of some revision, some recommended texts are given at the end of this preface. This is not a cookbook of statistical recipes: it covers all the relevant concepts so that an understanding of why a particular statistical technique should be used is gained. These concepts are introduced naturally in the course of the text as they are required, rather than having sections to themselves. The text can form the basis of a one- or two-term course, depending upon the intensity of the teaching. As well as explaining statistical concepts and methods, the different schools of thought about statistical methodology are discussed, giving the reader some insight into some of the debates that have taken place in the subject.