This book was originally planned to meet a continuing demand for an elementary text to provide workers in the biological and medical sciences with the basic statistical techniques required in practice.

Accordingly, the mathematical symbolism used is the bare minimum required for a concise description of the essential types of analysis. The reader need have no more than an elementary knowledge of algebra. No trigonometry, geometry or calculus is used. In most cases the main text gives a fully worked numerical example of each different type of analysis, in addition to the general discussion and summarising formula.

Naturally, there has been great progress in statistical science over the years. Much of this has involved theoretical modifications and developments, but there have also been implications for elementary applications. Rather than attempt to cover a multiplicity of new refinements it was decided to concentrate on essentials. The content of the second edition has accordingly been carefully revised, updated and corrected where necessary.

It should be emphasised, however, that it is now some 13 years since the second edition appeared. This was at a time when pocket calculators were becoming widely available and having considerable influence on the speed and efficiency with which elementary statistical analyses could be carried out. However, at the same time there were still many countries where the older desk calculating machines continued to be used. It was, therefore, considered advisable to continue including a good deal of material relating to the operation of such machines – especially with regard to checking for errors and using short-cuts.