Statistics for Library Decision Making

This handbook assists students in understanding statistics and the types of decisions that the selection of a test entails. At the same time the volume will assist a broad audience by reviewing the research process; by presenting fundamental statistical concepts and methods; by identifying writings on library management using statistical analyses; by discussing statistical applications to library management, decision making and problem solving; and by familiarizing library managers with statistical tables and analysis and graphics software. The purpose of this volume is to supplement statistical textbooks and to inform library managers and library school students about the application of selected statistical tests and the interpretation of statistical findings. This volume presents basic statistical and research concepts clearly. It is not intended as a textbook that identifies numerous statistical tests and merely details their computations. Rather, the book complements the pool of existing textbooks by placing selected statistical applications in the context of the research process and library decision.