Discusses relationship of the measurement taken vs. the environmental decision to be made

Explains key concepts of central tendency and dispersion

Explores the problem of left censoring of analytical data

Highlights applications of bootstrap sampling

Examines use of geostatistical tools in estimating the extent and volume of contamination

Describes time-related techniques for monitoring airborne concentrations

Emphasizes non-parametric methods for both simplicity and robustness

When interpreting environmental data, scientists and engineers first must select the correct statistical tool to use for their analysis. By doing this they will be able to make sound decisions in their efforts to solve environmental problems. They need a detailed reference that points out the subtle differences between statistical procedures, making clear what procedure to use when trying to find the answer to a specific problem.

Statistical Tools for Environmental Quality Measurement provides a detailed review of statistical tools used in analyzing and addressing environmental issues. This book examines commonly-used techniques found in USEPA guidelines and discusses their potential impact on decision-making. The authors are not constrained by statistical formalism; they advise when to go outside of standard statistical models when making difficult decisions. The content is presented in a practical style that prioritizes methods that work, based upon the authors' extensive experience.

The text points out that simplicity facilitates effective communication of an analysis and decision to a "consumer" of statistics. The book emphasizes the exact question that each procedure addresses, so that environmental scientists and engineers can clearly identify precisely the question they want to ask, and correctly interpret the results.

Features

Preface
Sample Support and Related Scale Issues in Sampling and Sampling Design
Basic Tools and Concepts-Description of Data
Hypothesis Testing
Correlation and Regression
Tools for Dealing with Censored Data
The Promise of the Bootstrap
Tools for the Analysis of Spatial Data
Tools for the Analysis of Temporal Data

Editorial Reviews

"[This book provides] valuable insight into how to go about choosing from the wide variety of statistical methods available based on the researcher's particular question of interest. … The topics covered in the second half of the book are particularly useful to deal with the more complex and discipline-specific questions that environmental researchers may consider on a regular basis. … [B]oth undergraduate and graduate students, as well as environmental professionals …. will find the authors' insights helpful. … [A] valuable resource for students and professionals who have limited statistical training."
- Journal of the American Statistical Association, Sept. 2004, Vol. 99, No. 467


"This book fulfills its stated aim of providing a discussion of statistical tools that can be useful in helping to solve environmental problems. … a useful reference for professionals who are already working in the environmental sector."
- Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Issue 167 (4)

"Here, at last, is a modern book in statistics by two prominent members of the ASA's Section on Statistics and the Environment. .. an excellent book for an environmental scientists … [It] has great examples, and it covers a lot of ground. … probably now the best available book even for environmental scientists."
- Technometrics, August 2004, Vol. 46, No. 3

"The authors of Statistical Tools for Environmental Quality Measurement have 60 years of practical experience as statistical consultants in solving environmental problems. This experience is made available to environmental professionals and statisticians in this well-written book that focuses on some statistical procedures that the authors have found to be useful in practice. Real-world data sets are used to illustrate the statistical methods and to point out mistakes that are too often made in designing environmental sampling plans. The authors 'talk to' the reader in a direct manner that should appeal to environmental professionals. The book is noteworthy in that it discusses applications of statistical techniques found in popular USEPA guidance documents. …I recommend the book to anyone who deals with making environmental decisions using data. The author's practical experience provided in the book is a valuable contribution to the art of applying statistical methods to environmental sampling. The book could be effectively used as a resource book and in courses on applied environmental statistics for environmental professionals or statisticians working to help solve environmental problems."
-Biometrics, Richard O. Gilbert, Statistical Sciences, Battelle, Pacific Northwest Division, Columbus, Ohio, USA