Skip to main content
  • Textbook
  • © 2017

Statistics and Analysis of Scientific Data

  • Introduces the statistical techniques most commonly employed in physical sciences and engineering
  • Makes clear distinction between material that is strictly mathematical and theoretical, and practical applications of statistical methods
  • Expanded to cover selected core statistical methods used in business science
  • Request lecturer material: sn.pub/lecturer-material

Part of the book series: Graduate Texts in Physics (GTP)

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check for access.

Table of contents (16 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xvii
  2. Theory of Probability

    • Massimiliano Bonamente
    Pages 1-15
  3. Random Variables and Their Distributions

    • Massimiliano Bonamente
    Pages 17-33
  4. Functions of Random Variables and Error Propagation

    • Massimiliano Bonamente
    Pages 55-83
  5. Mean, Median, and Average Values of Variables

    • Massimiliano Bonamente
    Pages 107-115
  6. Hypothesis Testing and Statistics

    • Massimiliano Bonamente
    Pages 117-146
  7. Maximum Likelihood Methods for Two-Variable Datasets

    • Massimiliano Bonamente
    Pages 147-164
  8. Multi-Variable Regression

    • Massimiliano Bonamente
    Pages 165-175
  9. Goodness of Fit and Parameter Uncertainty

    • Massimiliano Bonamente
    Pages 177-193
  10. Systematic Errors and Intrinsic Scatter

    • Massimiliano Bonamente
    Pages 195-201
  11. Fitting Two-Variable Datasets with Bivariate Errors

    • Massimiliano Bonamente
    Pages 203-210
  12. Model Comparison

    • Massimiliano Bonamente
    Pages 211-223
  13. Monte Carlo Methods

    • Massimiliano Bonamente
    Pages 225-236
  14. Introduction to Markov Chains

    • Massimiliano Bonamente
    Pages 237-247
  15. Monte Carlo Markov Chains

    • Massimiliano Bonamente
    Pages 249-271
  16. Back Matter

    Pages 273-318

About this book

The revised second edition of this textbook provides the reader with a solid foundation in probability theory and statistics as applied to the physical sciences, engineering and related fields. It covers a broad range of numerical and analytical methods that are essential for the correct analysis of scientific data, including probability theory, distribution functions of statistics, fits to two-dimensional data and parameter estimation, Monte Carlo methods and Markov chains. 

Features new to this edition include: 

• a discussion of statistical techniques employed in business science, such as multiple regression analysis of multivariate datasets.
• a new chapter on the various measures of the mean including logarithmic averages.
• new chapters on systematic errors and intrinsic scatter, and on the fitting of data with bivariate errors.
• a new case study and additional worked examples.
• mathematical derivations and theoretical background material have been appropriately marked, to improve the readability of the text.
• end-of-chapter summary boxes, for easy reference.

As in the first edition, the main pedagogical method is a theory-then-application approach, where emphasis is placed first on a sound understanding of the underlying theory of a topic, which becomes the basis for an efficient and practical application of the material. The level is appropriate for undergraduates and beginning graduate students, and as a reference for the experienced researcher. Basic calculus is used in some of the derivations, and no previous background in probability and statistics is required. The book includes many numerical tables of data, as well as exercises and examples to aid the readers' understanding of the topic.

Authors and Affiliations

  • University of Alabama, Huntsville, USA

    Massimiliano Bonamente

About the author

Max Bonamente is Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Alabama, Huntsville.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access