|
 |
| BOOK REVIEW |
|
| Year : 2016 | Volume
: 60
| Issue : 3 | Page : 241-242 |
|
|
Comprehensive textbook of biostatistics and research methodology
Prasad J Waingankar
Department of Community Medicine, M. G. M. Medical College, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India; Central Council Member, Indian Public Health Association
| Date of Web Publication | 24-Aug-2016 |
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Prasad J Waingankar
Department of Community Medicine, M. G. M. Medical College, Navi Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0019-557X.189036
How to cite this article:
Waingankar PJ. Comprehensive textbook of biostatistics and research methodology. Indian J Public Health 2016;60:241-2 |
Edition: 1 st , 2016
ISBN: 978-93-81496-25-1
Authors: Dr. S. Kartikeyan, Dr. R. M. Chaturvedi, Mr. R. M. Bhosale
Publishers: Bhalani Publishing House, Parel, Mumbai 400 012, Maharashtra, India.
Pages: 643
Price: Not Mentioned
The first edition of "Comprehensive Textbook of Biostatistics and Research Methodology" has been recently published by Bhalani Publishing House, Mumbai. There are several classic and established books on the topic, but this one is unique in its presentation and well assimilating the updates in the field, especially with reference to popular information technology (IT) revolution. There are 35 chapters in the book and each is divided into well-structured subchapters. Despite written on the topic of statistics, the book is rather descriptive than mathematical in character. Due to this descriptive "nonintimidating" approach and minimum use of complex statistical notations, readers will discover that the study of Biostatistics and Research Methodology can be entertaining and interesting. The author Dr. Kartikeyan is Professor and Head of Department of Community Medicine at Rajeev Gandhi Medical College, Thane, while Dr. Chaturvedi is Dean at Balasaheb Thakre Municipal Medical College, Mumbai, previously Professor and Head of Lokmanya Tilak Medical College, Mumbai. The third author Mr. Bhosale, a Statistician, is Assistant Director (Census), Government of India, and also has substantial experience of teaching statistics to medical students.
The vast teaching and research experience of all the authors is reflected in unique presentation of the contents. Unlike most other books on biostatistics, this book begins with a chapter on evolution and history of statistics, wherein the statistical system in India and some other countries is discussed. The chapter on Data Presentation Techniques will update the readers on new methods of graphical data presentation. The book contains separate chapters on sampling techniques, survey methods, research methodology, and clinical trials. In addition to solved examples in various chapters, chapter 33 contains 45 solved examples on biostatistics while chapter 34 contains 25 solved examples on vital statistics which will help students in preparing for practical examinations in community medicine. The topics such as data privacy and confidentiality, data theft and data security, and legal and ethical issues in data handling, all about which a public health expert should be aware of in today's world, are the exclusive part of this book.
Some of the chapters have appendices which provide interesting practical information and can help as ready reckoner. However, what I liked most is the exhaustive list of authoritative references at the end of each chapter and keeping to the promise of delivering the most updated information, inclusion of a large number of relevant and authentic web linkages. This book definitely has a potential of becoming a "must" in every community medicine professor's personal library. The two-column layout is usually used for books on statistics to save the space considering the nature of contents of such books. However, it could have been avoided in this book considering its descriptive nature, and hopefully, more impressive page layout is expected in future editions.
As per quote from Lewis and Burke - "You cannot simply use a statistic because you know how to calculate it. You must understand the rationale behind its development and limitations on its application imposed by the assumptions underlying it" - is the philosophy behind the book and that increases the value of book in the reader's cognizance.
|
Search Pubmed for