Reference Resources

The reference collection is an excellent place to begin your research if you want to find:

a summary of a topic
background information on a topic
a list of recommended resources
factual information

When you find a reference book:

Scan the table of contents to see how it is organized.
Note its publication date to determine currency of the information.
Use the index to locate your topic within the book.

Scroll down for a list of some key resources in the field of Math and Statistics. These titles are located in Reference and the Stacks sections of the library. You can click on this link to perform a search in SAILS using the topic Math and Statistics.

CRC concise encyclopedia of mathematics
Clearly passionate about math, Weisstein, an astronomer, began compiling this one-man labor-of-love reference about 14 years ago during his college days. Topics reflect the author's interests, as he says, his "own random walk through mathematics," rather than a fixed set of criteria. Differing from other math dictionaries, this one contains extensive cross referencing to related entries as well as internet sites; the entries contain both standard and popular references; and the abundant examples include explicit formulas and derivations. Weisstein has added about 3,600 new entries to this second edition (which is about one-third larger than the first, published in 1999), updated everything (including bibliographies), and enhanced many entries by incorporating Mathematica commands (for performing calculations and producing graphical displays and illustrations). At more than 3,000 pages (necessarily thin paper, to fit in one volume), this work is a unique reference and a terrific value pricewise.
REF QA 5 W45 2003

Dictionary of statistics & methodology : a nontechnical guide for the social sciences
Expanding the first edition by about a third, Vogt (Illinois State U.) presents some definitions statistical concepts and methodological terms used in the social and behavioral sciences, as well as related term from theory and philosophy. The entries are presented in nontechnical language containing no formulas. Elementary concepts are defined more fully than advanced concept and specialized terms in the interests of brevity but, according to Vogt, the cross-references should allow readers to work through unfamiliar terms in to reach understanding of the advanced material.
REF HA 17 V64 2005

The VNR concise encyclopedia of mathematics
QA 40 V18 1977
REF QA 40 V18 1977

CRC standard mathematical tables and formulae
QA 47 M315 1996
REF QA 47 M315 2003

The numerati
"Every day, we leave behind along trail of personal information simply by living in the modern world. We click Web pages, flip channels, drive through automatic toll booths, shop with credit cards, and make cell phone calls. Companies like Yahoo! and Google are harvesting an average of 2,500 details about each of us every month." "Who is looking at all this data? And what are they doing with it? That's what the journalist Stephen Baker explores in this book, and his answers are both surprising and unsettling. A new math intelligentsia is devising ways to dissect our every move and predict, with stunning accuracy, what we will do next. Their goal? To manipulate our behavior - what we buy, how we vote, whom we love - without our even realizing it."
B&T997

Making sense of data : a practical guide to exploratory data analysis and data mining
Myatt details the process of data analysis and mining projects in any field, including how to summarize and interpret it; identify nontrivial facts, patterns, and relationships; and make predictions. He begins with a discussion of how to define the problem and prepare data and also describes techniques and how and when to use them. Chapters on graphs, statistics, and grouping explain how to report data; this is followed by an explanation of deployment. The book is aimed at students, subject matter experts, business analysts, statisticians, IT professionals, project managers, and data mining experts.
QA 276 M92 2007

Statistics : a gentle introduction
Designed specifically for those who are learning or using statistics for the first time, this text pays relatively little attention to unnecessary formulas while providing a basic overview of basic designs and analyses through real-world examples. Updating his text to include new information, particularly on ANOVA and confidence levels and limits, Coolidge (mathematics, U. of Colorado, Colorado Springs) actually is quite gentle, introducing undergraduates to the basics--what a statistician does, essential questions of any survey or study, types of measurements scales, and symbols--and then discussing descriptive statistics and the distribution of numbers. He works through statistical parameters in terms of the measures of central tendency and variation, standard scores, the z distribution, hypothesis testing, inferential statistics, including baloney detection, correlation and regression, the t test for independent and dependent groups, analysis of variance for a variety of situations, functional analysis of variance, nonparametric statistics and other statistical parameters and tests.
QA 276.12 C67 2006

Managing math and test anxiety for success in math [videorecording]
In this video, Dr. Paul Noting and Mr. Bill Thomas discuss the origin of math anxiety, who it affects and how to reduce anxiety before and during a test with student interviews and demonstrations. Math and test anxiety are explained in a way that students can easily understand. The effects of anxiety are discussed as well as how many students respond to studying math and taking math tests. Next students explain how they reduce anxiety and became more successful in math. Using the suggestions in this video can help students reduce their anxiety and improve math grades.
DVD947

Ten steps to taking a math test [videorecording]
In this video, Dr. Paul Nolting discusses ten steps for taking a math test while a math student demonstrates each step. This test taking approach helps students increase their confidence as they take their seats and dive into their math tests. The steps help improve their organization of material and their memory while taking their tests. They can increase their ability to show what they really have learned.
DVD949

Conquering math anxiety : a self-help workbook
Provides exercises, worksheets, and explanations of methods to help students deal with and overcome their fears.
QA 11.2 A74 2003

Math : facing an American phobia
Math is a phobia right up there with snakes, public speaking, #38; heights. But it doesn't have to be that way. Math: Facing an American Phobia humorously uncovers the reasons behind math's dreadful reputation #38; shows us how we can help prevent our own children from adopting similar phobic attitudes.
QA 135.5 B839754 1998