The Essence of Multivariate Thinking is intended to make multivariate statistics more accessible to a wide audience. To encourage a more thorough understanding of multivariate methods, author Lisa Harlow suggests basic themes that run through most statistical methodology. The most pervasive theme is multiplicity. The author argues that the use of multivariate methods encourages multiple ways of investigating phenomena. She explains that widening our lens to identify multiple theories, constructs, measures, samples, methods, and time points provide greater reliability and validity in our research. Dr. Harlow then shows how these themes are applied to several multivariate methods, with the hope that this will ease understanding in the basic concepts of multivariate thinking. Formulas are kept at a minimum.

The first three chapters review the core themes that run through multivariate methods. Seven different multivariate methods are then described using 10 questions that illuminate the main features, uses, multiplicity, themes, interpretations, and applications. The seven methods covered are multiple regression, analysis of covariance, multivariate analysis of variance, discriminant function analysis, logistic regression, canonical correlation, and principal components/factor analysis. The final chapter pulls together the principal themes and features charts that list common themes and how they pertain to each of the methods discussed.

The Essence of Multivariate Thinking, features:
*A unique focus on the underlying themes that run through most multivariate methods.
*A dual focus on significance tests and effect sizes to encourage readers to adopt a thorough approach to assessing the significance and magnitude of their findings.
*A detailed example for each method to delineate how the multivariate themes apply.
*Tabular results from statistical analysis programs that mirror sections of the output files.
*A common dataset throughout the chapters to provide continuity with the variables and research questions.
*A CD with data, SAS program setup and output, homework exercises, and chapter lectures.

This book is useful to advanced students, professionals, and researchers interested in applying multivariate methods in such fields as behavioral medicine, social, health, personality, developmental, cognitive, and industrial-organizational psychology, as well as in education and evaluation. A preliminary knowledge of basic statistics, research methods, basic algebra, and finite mathematics is recommended.

A valuable book has become even better. It deserves a large market.
- Professor Falthammar

Many analogies to everyday life liven things up The book is strong on history, not only of plasma, but also of atomic physics and electromagnetism.
- E. Infeld, Journal of Plasma Physics

Plasma physics may hold the key to a virtually inexhaustible future energy source through the control of thermonuclear reactions. The complexity of plasma physics makes it a difficult subject to write about in popular terms, but the authors of The Fourth State of Matter: An Introduction to Plasma Science, Second Edition treat plasma in a comprehensible way. Combining factual substance with an easy-to-read and lucid presentation, the book describes the characteristics of plasma, its distribution in the universe, and how it is used by man. It explores plasma in industry and presents current and possible future applications. The book also details the history of plasma research and plasma technology. Retained from the first edition, rhyming verses add fun to the explanation of what can be complicated scientific concepts. Accessible to anyone interested in plasma physics, this non-mathematical book is an excellent addition to a well-rounded science collection.

A comprehensive overview of plasma physics for those starting out in their understanding of it and intended for scientists and lay readers alike. New second edition. Softcover.

Management and IT professionals in the healthcare arena face the fear of the unknown: they fear that their massive efforts to comply with HIPAA requirements may not be enough, because they still do not know how compliance will be tested and measured. No one has been able to clearly explain to them the ramifications of HIPAA. Until now. The HIPAA Program Reference Handbook explains all aspects of HIPAA including system design, implementation, compliance, liability, transactions, security, and privacy, focusing on pragmatic action instead of theoretic approaches. The book is organized into five parts. The first discusses programs and processes, covering program design and implementation, a review of legislation, human dynamics, the roles of Chief Privacy and Chief Security Officers, and many other foundational issues. The Handbook continues by analyzing product policy, technology, and process standards, and what entities need to do to reach compliance. It then focuses on HIPAA legal impacts, including liability associated with senior management and staff within an organization. A section on transactions and interactions discusses the intricacies of the transaction types, standards, methods, and implementations required by HIPAA, covering the flow of payments and patient information among healthcare and service providers, payers, agencies, and other organizations. The book concludes with a discussion of security and privacy that analyzes human and machine requirements, interface issues, functions, and various aspects of technology required to meet HIPAA mandates.

How much money are you losing because of poor landing page design? In this comprehensive, step-by-step guide, you’ll learn all the skills necessary to dramatically improve your bottom line, including identifying mission critical parts of your website and their true economic value, defining important visitor classes and key conversion tasks,   gaining insight on customer decision-making, uncovering problems with your page and deciding which elements to test, developing an action plan, and avoiding common pitfalls. Includes a companion website and a detailed review of the Google Website Optimizer tool.

OPTIMIZE YOUR LANDING PAGES TO TURBOCHARGE YOUR PROFITS

How much money are you losing because of poor landing page design? In this comprehensive, step-by-step guide, you will learn all the skills necessary to dramatically improve your bottom line:

• Identify mission critical parts of your website and their true economic value

• Define important visitor classes and key conversion tasks

• Gain insight on customer decision-making and make your page friction-free

• Uncover problems with your page and decide which elements to test

• Understand the power and limitations of common optimization approaches

• Develop an action plan and get buy-in from all key players

• Avoid common real-world pitfalls that can sabotage your test

Packed with case studies, practical strategies, a detailed review of the Google Website Optimizer tool, and a comprehensive companion website, this one-of-a-kind resource will help you make your landing pages more profitable.

"Tim has figured out what so many people don't understand: your website can (and should) get better. Every single day."
—Seth Godin, author of Meatball Sundae

"This book is a must-read for the modern Internet marketer."
—Kevin M. Ryan, Vice President, Global Content Director, Search Engine Strategies and Search Engine Watch

"This is the best business-focused, measurement-based guide to website design I have seen."
—Don Norman, cofounder of Nielsen Norman Group and author of The Design of Future Things

"Stop guessing at the best landing page designs and embrace true customer centricity. This book shows you how!"
—Avinash Kaushik, Analytics Evangelist and author of Web Analytics: An Hour A Day

"Tim's Landing Page Optimization is a must-have for your bookshelf."
—Bryan Eisenberg, New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author

About the Author

Tim Ash is a recognized expert in the field of landing page optimization. He is the president of SiteTuners.com, a company that improves the conversion rates of website landing pages through state-of-the-art scientific testing. Tim has spoken internationally at such industry events as Search Engine Strategies, PC Expo, the Affiliate Summit, and Internet World. Visit Tim's book site at LandingPageOptimizationBook.com

The Physics Companion is a revision aid and study guide for undergraduates in physics. It covers the core topics, deriving key concepts and equations in clear one-page figure-rich descriptions. Each subsection contains a summary of the main equations, together with a set of worked examples.

The topics covered include:

· Thermal Physics
  Electricity and Magnetism
· Waves and Optics
· Mechanics
· States of Matter
· Quantum Physics

Intended as supporting material for other texts, the book will be an essential resource for undergraduate students throughout the course of their degree.

Pocket-size text overviews the core subjects covered in an undergraduate physics degree plan. Individual topics are covered in one-page summaries; including thermal physics, electricity and magnetism, mechanics, properties of matter, waves and optics, atomic and molecular physics, nuclear physics, and space science. Supplements required text or serves as a reference. Softcover.

Paradigms of AI Programming is the first text to teach advanced Common Lisp techniques in the context of building major AI systems. By reconstructing authentic, complex AI programs using state-of-the-art Common Lisp, the book teaches students and professionals how to build and debug robust practical programs, while demonstrating superior programming style and important AI concepts. The author strongly emphasizes the practical performance issues involved in writing real working programs of significant size. Chapters on troubleshooting and efficiency are included, along with a discussion of the fundamentals of object-oriented programming and a description of the main CLOS functions. This volume is an excellent text for a course on AI programming, a useful supplement for general AI courses and an indispensable reference for the professional programmer.