Wiley to Publish Book on Randomization and Bootstrap Methods

Andy Zieffler has recently finished the writing of a manuscript for John Wiley & Sons called  Comparing Groups: Randomization and Bootstrap Methods Using R. It was intended as a graduate-level statistics textbook for courses offered in social science programs. The content provides the statistical foundation for researchers interested in answering questions about group differences through the introduction and application of current statistical methods made possible through computation—including the use of Monte Carlo simulation, bootstrapping, and randomization tests. Rather than focus on mathematical calculations like so many other introductory texts in the behavioral sciences, the approach taken in this monograph is to focus on conceptual explanations and the use of statistical computing. We agree with the sentiments of David Moore, who stated,

calculating sums of squares by hand does not increase understanding; it merely numbs the mind.

At the heart of every chapter there is an emphasis on the direct link between research questions and data analysis. Purposeful attention is paid to the integration of design, statistical methodology and computation to propose answers to research questions based on appropriate analysis and interpretation of quantitative data. Practical suggestions for analysis and the presentation of results based on suggestions from the \textit{APA Publication Manual} are also included. These suggestions are intended to help researchers clearly communicate the results of a data analysis to their audience.

Perhaps the best writing in the book will be in the Foreword, which George Cobb was gracious enough to write (even after reading the book). You can check out the non-existent, generic fill-in cover image at Amazon (where Joan pointed out that it is $40 cheaper than on Wiley's site.)

The cover I wanted for the book is the picture shown. This is a work from Jason Salavon based on MTV's 6th Greatest Music Video of All Time, the Guns 'N Roses classic...Sweet Child of Mine. According to Jason's website,

Each of the videos in the top 10 of this list were digitized in their entirety and the individual frames were simplified to their mean average color, eliminating overt content. These solid-colored squares were then arranged in their original sequence and are read left-to-right, top-to-bottom.