I don't think being able to integrate the formula (which isn't possible anyways) is necessary.
Better to teach non Statistics degree practitioners (like social scientis) the more general theory. Think of Statistics as medicine (not my original idea). Although learning particle physics (integrating the PDF) may not make a med. student a worse doctor, it really won't help them. Better that they get a good general overview of all the subjects relevant to their field (chemistry, anatomy, physic, etc.) I agree a lot of stuff being pushed out is sketchy. And, excep for maybe the PhD in Dance or Music Performance, what academic folks don't use Statistics? So, the social scientist, for example, SHOULD (though they certainly don') learn general methods (General linear models, Discrete models, etc.). Problem is, they only learn a few narrow areas and apply them TO DEATH. So, it's like going to Med school and then treating every disease with antibiotics. And unfortunately, they are unaware of the other possible anlaysis options. Maybe non-statistics-degree practitioners are too proud to ask for help (not that there aren't good practitioner who aren't formally trained)? So, Gordon, IMHO, you should (if you haven't already) make sure you teach yourself (or take courses in) General Linear Models, Generalized Linear Models, Discret Model and Multivariate Analysis. Then, you'd realize many of the commonly used methods are just special cases of these (except Nonparamteric methods). Hard core probability stuff, while certainly not detrimental, won't really help you as a practicitioner. That stuff (I found) is useful only if your doing a PhD in Statistics. I have yet to dust-off the Radon-Nikodym theorem at work! Sorry, rant over. [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Gordon Kenyon) wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>... > In quantitative methods text-books for the social and behavioral >>>> Snip <<<< > Anyway, integrating the normal distribution function sure is a bear, > huh? . . ================================================================= Instructions for joining and leaving this list, remarks about the problem of INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES, and archives are available at: . http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/ . =================================================================
