Data Reduction & Error Analysis - For the Physical Sciences

Today's students need to understand many basic data-handling methods in order to make effective use of the powerful computer programs that are now widely available for analyzing and reducing experimental data. The third edition of Data Reduction and Error Analysis for the Physical Sciences provides a detailed introduction to statistical analysis, data modeling, and least squares fitting as they are applied to experimental research.
It includes a thorough treatment of techniques for fitting data by the method of least squares, beginning with simple linear fitting procedures and continuing through more complex methods for making non-linear fits. An introduction to data simulation by the Monte Carlo technique is also included. The level is appropriate for undergraduates and introductory graduate students. No previous background in statistics is required.
The basic approach is that of an introductory text, with practical emphasis on techniques and procedures, but with enough derivation to justify the results. Typical experiments are described and illustrated with detailed calculations. Each chapter includes exercises and a summary. Computer routines, written in simple Fortran, are included in the text in order to illustrate the techniques. The source code for the routines and complete programs, in both Fortran and C++, are available for downloading on the accompanying website.