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Old 02-09-2007, 05:38 PM   #1
hellenmoranov

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Default I need to learn the fundamentals of statistics
You need to learn the scientific method first.

And something about the origins of Hindu civilisation. Hint: it started when the British built a railroad for you.
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Old 02-09-2007, 05:44 PM   #2
Boveosteors

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But seriously, anyone have any idea?

EDIT: This was an X-post, but funnily enough, it's appropriate nonetheless.
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Old 02-09-2007, 05:46 PM   #3
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Originally posted by aneeshm
I want to learn the fundamentals of statistics. Can anyone give me any pointers on how to do that? Any online resources? And place where the basics are explained in a manner easy to understand (without being dumbed down to the level where the whole thing is useless)? You could come at this sideways - become a rabid baseball fan (in particular, get into the statistical analysis of the game). That'll give some pretty good ideas about how to use stats (and how not to use them) w/o taking a class. Plus, it's fun!

...

KH:

-Arrian
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Old 02-09-2007, 05:51 PM   #4
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Originally posted by KrazyHorse
What sort of statistics?

An Introduction to Error Analysis (John R. Taylor) is a standard text around here. You might be able to get the Indian edition really cheaply. The sort of statistics required to model the behaviour of huge numbers of bodies (the type used in the statistical approach to thermodynamics).

I'll be using it for something totally different, though.
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Old 02-09-2007, 05:55 PM   #5
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Statistical and Thermal Physics (Reif)
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Old 02-09-2007, 05:56 PM   #6
StampNews

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Originally posted by aneeshm
The sort of statistics required to model the behaviour of huge numbers of bodies (the type used in the statistical approach to thermodynamics). Ah, that's a bit different than inferential statistics in demographics...
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Old 02-09-2007, 06:00 PM   #7
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Originally posted by KrazyHorse
Good luck learning Stat Mech without a solid physics background. How much physics do you need for this book?

As an addendum to my previous post - if they physics in the book can help me understand how it is applied to real systems, then I don't mind, it'll be good practice.
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Old 02-09-2007, 06:05 PM   #8
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There will be certain things which don't make sense if you don't already know thermodynamics. And you need a solid understanding of calculus and differential equations.

And anything after chapter 7 will be lost on you, as it deals with the statistics of quantum mechanical systems.
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Old 02-09-2007, 06:24 PM   #9
actifadepette

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Let me see if I can remember the chapters from memory (book's at home right now)

Chap 1: random walk problem, normal and poisson distributions
Chap 2: statistical ensembles, density of states, interaction between ensembles
Chap 3: thermal equilibrium, temperature, entropy, statistical calculation of thermodynamic properties
Chap 4: Heat, work, heat capacity, more entropy
Chap 5: Ideal gases, maxwell relations, heat engines
Chap 6: Grand canonical ensemble, calculation of various quantities associated with it
Chap 7: Partition function, application to calculation of thermodynamic quantities
Chap 8: Chemical and thermal equilibria
Chap 9: Quantum statistics
Chap 10: Interacting systems
Chap 11: Magnetism
Chap 12, 13, 14: Transport theory
Chap 15: Irreversible processes
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Old 02-09-2007, 06:34 PM   #10
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I couldn't learn out of it. Some people hate Reif, but I liked it.
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Old 02-09-2007, 06:37 PM   #11
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OTOH, this is towards an operations research major, not a physics one.
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Old 02-09-2007, 06:39 PM   #12
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I'm on the second of five we need.
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Old 02-09-2007, 06:40 PM   #13
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What are you doing right now?
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Old 02-09-2007, 06:42 PM   #14
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Can you link the syllabi for those courses?
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Old 02-09-2007, 06:45 PM   #15
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That still sounds fairly basic.
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Old 02-09-2007, 06:50 PM   #16
chinesemedicine

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Originally posted by KrazyHorse
That still sounds fairly basic. It's dreadfully simple.
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Old 02-09-2007, 06:53 PM   #17
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That last course is actually interesting...

MCMC (markov chain monte carlo) is one of the big techniques I've had to teach myself in the past couple of years.
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Old 02-09-2007, 06:59 PM   #18
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Originally posted by Kuciwalker
Hm. My statistics textbooks is "Mathematical Statistics with Applications" by Wackerly, Mendenhall and Scheaffer. I have no idea how good it is comparitively. It's certainly a different focus than the text KH mentioned. Well, as far as I can tell it's pretty good and useful, have it myself. I'd however say that it might be a tad to advanced for a total newbie. My first book was Anderson, Sweeny & Williams "Statistics for business and economics" (had to look it up, ALL textbook titles sounds the same), it does not have that step a learning curve as your book.
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Old 02-09-2007, 07:00 PM   #19
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I'd however say that it might be a tad to advanced for a total newbie.

Only if you aren't thoroughly familiar with basic calculus...
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Old 02-09-2007, 07:07 PM   #20
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Algebraic structures + field theory
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