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Beginning Statistics with Data Analysis by
Mosteller, Fienberg, and Rourke
Many of our students need to learn some basic
statistics. As a program we have a course for this in
Predict 401, but if you wanted to do some work on your
own, then this text is an affordable and very good
option. Both Mosteller and Fienberg were very serious
statisticians. If they have taken the time to write an
introductory statistics book, then it is worth a read.
And, at less than $20 it is a great bargain.
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Making Sense of Data I by
Myatt
I have been recommending MSD I and II to students for
several years now. These two volumes represent the most
accessible and statistically correct introduction to the
full spectrum of analytics topics that I have seen. New
students should purchase the books upon the receipt of
their acceptance letter and begin reading them.
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Making Sense of Data II by
Myatt and Johnson
I have been recommending MSD I and II to student for
several years now. These two volumes represent the most
accessible and statistically correct introduction to the
full spectrum of analytics topics that I have seen. New
students should purchase the books upon the receipt of
their acceptance letter and begin reading them.
Chapter 4 of this book is a 50 page introduction to many
of the core modeling techniques routinely used in the
analytics profession. I recommend that all students read
Chapter 4 before they begin Predict 410.
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The Little SAS Book
'The Little SAS Book' has been the standard desktop reference book for SAS for
the last twenty years. Every SAS user owns a copy (or
three).
Note that SAS is updating their software on a near
annual basis these days. You will want to wait to buy your
copy when you have reached the point in time that you need
it. Otherwise you will be subject to a SAS update.
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R for Everyone by Lander
'R for Everyone' is the defacto R reference for the program. Since
the book will be used in Predict 401, all courses that use
R can assume that you already own the book. The book also
can help you get set up with R and begin to learn R outside
of any formal coursework. Also see my 'Getting Started with
R' page for some useful R links.
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Learn Python the Hard Way: A
Very Simple Introduction to the Terrifyingly Beautiful World
of Computers and Code by Zed Shaw
Python will be introduced to students in Predict 400, but I would
encourage students to learn the basics of Python before they
enter the course. 'Learn Python the Hard Way' is a
programmer's introduction to programming. The only way to
learn how to program is to write programs. It is no
different than many other activities. Nearly all activities
require that you develop 'muscle memory' in order to be
good. Programming is no different. This book will walk you
through several basic programming activities that are
typically taught to freshmen and sophomores. Whatever your
age, if you are new to programming, then you need to start
with the basics. Also see my 'Getting Started with Python'
page for useful Python links.
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Modeling Techniques in
Predictive Analytics by Miller
Dr. Miller's book represents an overview of topics from predictive
analytics and their analysis in R. It is a good place for
students to start learning about predictive analytics and
get an introduction at the same time. His book is also a
good way to learn more about the program, as these topics
tend to show up in our elective courses.
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Flashdrive to Store Files
Everyone should be storing their files on a flashdrive or a file
storage utility such as DropBox. We have a large number of
computer incidents, and you can protect yourself by not
storing your files directly on your machine. If you want to
use a flashdrive, then Kingston flashdrives are a good choice.
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