Statistical Methods for Communication Science is the first methodology textbook to focus exclusively on statistics in communication research. Writing in a straightforward, personal style, author Andrew Hayes offers this accessible and thorough introduction to statistical methods, starting with the fundamentals of measurement and moving on to discuss such key topics as sampling procedures, probability, reliability, hypothesis testing, simple correlation and regression, and analyses of variance and covariance. Hayes takes readers through each topic with clear explanations and illustrations. He provides a multitude of examples, all set in the context of communication research, thus engaging readers directly and helping them to see the relevance and importance of statistics to the field of communication.
Highlights of this text include: clear, conversational, and engaging tone; thorough and balanced coverage of topics; integration of classical methods with modern "resampling" approaches to inference; consideration of practical, "real world" issues; numerous examples and applications, all drawn from communication research; up-to-date information, with examples justifying use of various techniques; appendices with sample data sets and SPSS macros; and a CD with macros, data sets, figures, and additional materials. This unique text can be used as a stand-alone classroom text, a supplement to traditional research methods text, or a useful reference manual. It is certain to be invaluable to students, faculty, researchers and practitioners in communication, and it will serve to advance the understanding and use of statistical methods throughout the discipline.