The nearly five hundred entries vary in length from succinct, five-hundred-word definitions, to lengthy, four-thousand-word topic explorations. Each entry is signed by the author, most of who are affiliated with academic institutions. Bibliographies also are included with each entry; some have as few as one citation, while others have more than a dozen. “See also” references are included as necessary to assist readers with finding related topics. Entries are arranged in alphabetical order, and there is a decent index to assist users. A helpful Reader’s Guide–a listing of the entries grouped into related areas–also is included at the front of each volume.
The meat of the encyclopedia consists of entries pertaining to statistical techniques and tests. These entries start by defining the technique or test and continue with an example of how it is used and how the resulting data can be interpreted. The examples are generously illustrated with charts and tables to clarify the accompanying textual explanation. Bibliographies for these types of entries frequently include references to articles that utilize the technique or test under discussion, providing motivated users with plenty of options for further exploration.
Nontechnical concepts and issues related to statistics and measurement also are covered in the encyclopedia (for example, high-stakes testing). Brief entries are sparingly included for people such as Babbage, Markov, and Poisson; for major testing instruments such as Myers Briggs, Rorschach, and Strong Interest Inventory; and for important statistical publications and organizations. Topics with aspects in multiple fields get a well-rounded entry. For example, the entry on Six Sigma includes a discussion of Six Sigma as a management philosophy and a metric for denoting level of quality as well as a methodology for improving quality.
Additional materials in volume three include a list of recommended statistical Web sites (for example, FedStats and statistics.com), a comprehensive bibliography, a glossary of terms, and two appendixes of material reprinted from Statistics for People Who (Think They) Hate Statistics. If your library users aren’t exactly flocking to the shelf to use your print reference collection, the good news is Sage also offers this title in their eReference collection.
Overall, this is an outstanding encyclopedia. Statistical methods are used in all types of research, including business, so while this is not strictly a business reference book, it is still a highly valuable resource for any library collection serving business users. Sure, there are plenty of statistics textbooks out there, but rare is the reference book that takes such an accessible and nontechnical approach to the fields of measurement and statistics.–Anne Bradley, California State University, Sacramento