Quantitative Data Analysis

Your complete guide to quantitative analysis in the investment industry Quantitative Investment Analysis, Third Edition is a newly revised and updated text that presents you with a blend of theory and practice materials to guide you through the use of statistics within the context of finance and investment. With equal focus on theoretical concepts and their practical applications, this approachable resource offers features, such as learning outcome statements, that are targeted at helping you understand, retain, and apply the information you have learned. Throughout the text's chapters, you explore a wide range of topics, such as the time value of money, discounted cash flow applications, common probability distributions, sampling and estimation, hypothesis testing, and correlation and regression. Applying quantitative analysis to the investment process is an important task for investment pros and students. A reference that provides even subject matter treatment, consistent mathematical notation, and continuity in topic coverage will make the learning process easier—and will bolster your success. Explore the materials you need to apply quantitative analysis to finance and investment data—even if you have no previous knowledge of this subject area Access updated content that offers insight into the latest topics relevant to the field Consider a wide range of subject areas within the text, including chapters on multiple regression, issues in regression analysis, time-series analysis, and portfolio concepts Leverage supplemental materials, including the companion Workbook and Instructor's Manual, sold separately Quantitative Investment Analysis, Third Edition is a fundamental resource that covers the wide range of quantitative methods you need to know in order to apply quantitative analysis to the investment process.

Guides readers through the quantitative data analysis process including contextualizing data within a research situation, connecting data to the appropriate statistical tests, and drawing valid conclusions Introduction to Quantitative Data Analysis in the Behavioral and Social Sciences presents a clear and accessible introduction to the basics of quantitative data analysis and focuses on how to use statistical tests as a key tool for analyzing research data. The book presents the entire data analysis process as a cyclical, multiphase process and addresses the processes of exploratory analysis, decision-making for performing parametric or nonparametric analysis, and practical significance determination. In addition, the author details how data analysis is used to reveal the underlying patterns and relationships between the variables and connects those trends to the data’s contextual situation. Filling the gap in quantitative data analysis literature, this book teaches the methods and thought processes behind data analysis, rather than how to perform the study itself or how to perform individual statistical tests. With a clear and conversational style, readers are provided with a better understanding of the overall structure and methodology behind performing a data analysis as well as the needed techniques to make informed, meaningful decisions during data analysis. The book features numerous data analysis examples in order to emphasize the decision and thought processes that are best followed, and self-contained sections throughout separate the statistical data analysis from the detailed discussion of the concepts allowing readers to reference a specific section of the book for immediate solutions to problems and/or applications. Introduction to Quantitative Data Analysis in the Behavioral and Social Sciences also features coverage of the following: • The overall methodology and research mind-set for how to approach quantitative data analysis and how to use statistics tests as part of research data analysis • A comprehensive understanding of the data, its connection to a research situation, and the most appropriate statistical tests for the data • Numerous data analysis problems and worked-out examples to illustrate the decision and thought processes that reveal underlying patterns and trends • Detailed examples of the main concepts to aid readers in gaining the needed skills to perform a full analysis of research problems • A conversational tone to effectively introduce readers to the basics of how to perform data analysis as well as make meaningful decisions during data analysis Introduction to Quantitative Data Analysis in the Behavioral and Social Sciences is an ideal textbook for upper-undergraduate and graduate-level research method courses in the behavioral and social sciences, statistics, and engineering. This book is also an appropriate reference for practitioners who require a review of quantitative research methods. Michael J. Albers, Ph.D., is Professor in the Department of English at East Carolina University. His research interests include information design with a focus on answering real-world questions, the presentation of complex information, and human–information interaction. Dr. Albers received his Ph.D. in Technical Communication and Rhetoric from Texas Tech University.

With the advent of computers, very large datasets have become routine. Standard statistical methods don’t have the power or flexibility to analyse these efficiently, and extract the required knowledge. An alternative approach is to summarize a large dataset in such a way that the resulting summary dataset is of a manageable size and yet retains as much of the knowledge in the original dataset as possible. One consequence of this is that the data may no longer be formatted as single values, but be represented by lists, intervals, distributions, etc. The summarized data have their own internal structure, which must be taken into account in any analysis. This text presents a unified account of symbolic data, how they arise, and how they are structured. The reader is introduced to symbolic analytic methods described in the consistent statistical framework required to carry out such a summary and subsequent analysis. Presents a detailed overview of the methods and applications of symbolic data analysis. Includes numerous real examples, taken from a variety of application areas, ranging from health and social sciences, to economics and computing. Features exercises at the end of each chapter, enabling the reader to develop their understanding of the theory. Provides a supplementary website featuring links to download the SODAS software developed exclusively for symbolic data analysis, data sets, and further material. Primarily aimed at statisticians and data analysts, Symbolic Data Analysis is also ideal for scientists working on problems involving large volumes of data from a range of disciplines, including computer science, health and the social sciences. There is also much of use to graduate students of statistical data analysis courses.

Few books on statistical data analysis in the natural sciences are written at a level that a non-statistician will easily understand. This is a book written in colloquial language, avoiding mathematical formulae as much as possible, trying to explain statistical methods using examples and graphics instead. To use the book efficiently, readers should have some computer experience. The book starts with the simplest of statistical concepts and carries readers forward to a deeper and more extensive understanding of the use of statistics in environmental sciences. The book concerns the application of statistical and other computer methods to the management, analysis and display of spatial data. These data are characterised by including locations (geographic coordinates), which leads to the necessity of using maps to display the data and the results of the statistical methods. Although the book uses examples from applied geochemistry, and a large geochemical survey in particular, the principles and ideas equally well apply to other natural sciences, e.g., environmental sciences, pedology, hydrology, geography, forestry, ecology, and health sciences/epidemiology. The book is unique because it supplies direct access to software solutions (based on R, the Open Source version of the S-language for statistics) for applied environmental statistics. For all graphics and tables presented in the book, the R-scripts are provided in the form of executable R-scripts. In addition, a graphical user interface for R, called DAS+R, was developed for convenient, fast and interactive data analysis. Statistical Data Analysis Explained: Applied Environmental Statistics with R provides, on an accompanying website, the software to undertake all the procedures discussed, and the data employed for their description in the book.

Written by leading market risk academic, Professor Carol Alexander, Quantitative Methods in Finance forms part one of the Market Risk Analysis four volume set. Starting from the basics, this book helps readers to take the first step towards becoming a properly qualified financial risk manager and asset manager, roles that are currently in huge demand. Accessible to intelligent readers with a moderate understanding of mathematics at high school level or to anyone with a university degree in mathematics, physics or engineering, no prior knowledge of finance is necessary. Instead the emphasis is on understanding ideas rather than on mathematical rigour, meaning that this book offers a fast-track introduction to financial analysis for readers with some quantitative background, highlighting those areas of mathematics that are particularly relevant to solving problems in financial risk management and asset management. Unique to this book is a focus on both continuous and discrete time finance so that Quantitative Methods in Finance is not only about the application of mathematics to finance; it also explains, in very pedagogical terms, how the continuous time and discrete time finance disciplines meet, providing a comprehensive, highly accessible guide which will provide readers with the tools to start applying their knowledge immediately. All together, the Market Risk Analysis four volume set illustrates virtually every concept or formula with a practical, numerical example or a longer, empirical case study. Across all four volumes there are approximately 300 numerical and empirical examples, 400 graphs and figures and 30 case studies many of which are contained in interactive Excel spreadsheets available from the accompanying CD-ROM . Empirical examples and case studies specific to this volume include: Principal component analysis of European equity indices; Calibration of Student t distribution by maximum likelihood; Orthogonal regression and estimation of equity factor models; Simulations of geometric Brownian motion, and of correlated Student t variables; Pricing European and American options with binomial trees, and European options with the Black-Scholes-Merton formula; Cubic spline fitting of yields curves and implied volatilities; Solution of Markowitz problem with no short sales and other constraints; Calculation of risk adjusted performance metrics including generalised Sharpe ratio, omega and kappa indices.

This book addresses the difficulties experienced by wet lab researchers with the statistical analysis of molecular biology related data. The authors explain how to use R and Bioconductor for the analysis of experimental data in the field of molecular biology. The content is based upon two university courses for bioinformatics and experimental biology students (Biological Data Analysis with R and High-throughput Data Analysis with R). The material is divided into chapters based upon the experimental methods used in the laboratories. Key features include: • Broad appeal–the authors target their material to researchers in several levels, ensuring that the basics are always covered. • First book to explain how to use R and Bioconductor for the analysis of several types of experimental data in the field of molecular biology. • Focuses on R and Bioconductor, which are widely used for data analysis. One great benefit of R and Bioconductor is that there is a vast user community and very active discussion in place, in addition to the practice of sharing codes. Further, R is the platform for implementing new analysis approaches, therefore novel methods are available early for R users.

Statistics Analysis of Geographical Data: An Introduction provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the theory and practice of statistical analysis in geography. It covers a wide range of topics including graphical and numerical description of datasets, probability, calculation of confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, collection and analysis of data using analysis of variance and linear regression. Taking a clear and logical approach, this book examines real problems with real data from the geographical literature in order to illustrate the important role that statistics play in geographical investigations. Presented in a clear and accessible manner the book includes recent, relevant examples, designed to enhance the reader’s understanding.

Introduces the key concepts in the analysis of categoricaldata with illustrative examples and accompanying R code This book is aimed at all those who wish to discover how to analyze categorical data without getting immersed in complicated mathematics and without needing to wade through a large amount of prose. It is aimed at researchers with their own data ready to be analyzed and at students who would like an approachable alternative view of the subject. Each new topic in categorical data analysis is illustrated with an example that readers can apply to their own sets of data. In many cases, R code is given and excerpts from the resulting output are presented. In the context of log-linear models for cross-tabulations, two specialties of the house have been included: the use of cobweb diagrams to get visual information concerning significant interactions, and a procedure for detecting outlier category combinations. The R code used for these is available and may be freely adapted. In addition, this book: Uses an example to illustrate each new topic in categorical data Provides a clear explanation of an important subject Is understandable to most readers with minimal statistical and mathematical backgrounds Contains examples that are accompanied by R code and resulting output Includes starred sections that provide more background details for interested readers Categorical Data Analysis by Example is a reference for students in statistics and researchers in other disciplines, especially the social sciences, who use categorical data. This book is also a reference for practitioners in market research, medicine, and other fields.

Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis: A Handbook for Healthcare Research provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental principles and methods that healthcare researchers need when considering, conducting or using individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis projects. Written and edited by researchers with substantial experience in the field, the book details key concepts and practical guidance for each stage of an IPD meta-analysis project, alongside illustrated examples and summary learning points. Split into five parts, the book chapters take the reader through the journey from initiating and planning IPD projects to obtaining, checking, and meta-analysing IPD, and appraising and reporting findings. The book initially focuses on the synthesis of IPD from randomised trials to evaluate treatment effects, including the evaluation of participant-level effect modifiers (treatment-covariate interactions). Detailed extension is then made to specialist topics such as diagnostic test accuracy, prognostic factors, risk prediction models, and advanced statistical topics such as multivariate and network meta-analysis, power calculations, and missing data. Intended for a broad audience, the book will enable the reader to: Understand the advantages of the IPD approach and decide when it is needed over a conventional systematic review Recognise the scope, resources and challenges of IPD meta-analysis projects Appreciate the importance of a multi-disciplinary project team and close collaboration with the original study investigators Understand how to obtain, check, manage and harmonise IPD from multiple studies Examine risk of bias (quality) of IPD and minimise potential biases throughout the project Understand fundamental statistical methods for IPD meta-analysis, including two-stage and one-stage approaches (and their differences), and statistical software to implement them Clearly report and disseminate IPD meta-analyses to inform policy, practice and future research Critically appraise existing IPD meta-analysis projects Address specialist topics such as effect modification, multiple correlated outcomes, multiple treatment comparisons, non-linear relationships, test accuracy at multiple thresholds, multiple imputation, and developing and validating clinical prediction models Detailed examples and case studies are provided throughout.

Features easy-to-follow insight and clear guidelines to perform data analysis using IBM SPSS® Performing Data Analysis Using IBM SPSS® uniquely addresses the presented statistical procedures with an example problem, detailed analysis, and the related data sets. Data entry procedures, variable naming, and step-by-step instructions for all analyses are provided in addition to IBM SPSS point-and-click methods, including details on how to view and manipulate output. Designed as a user’s guide for students and other interested readers to perform statistical data analysis with IBM SPSS, this book addresses the needs, level of sophistication, and interest in introductory statistical methodology on the part of readers in social and behavioral science, business, health-related, and education programs. Each chapter of Performing Data Analysis Using IBM SPSS covers a particular statistical procedure and offers the following: an example problem or analysis goal, together with a data set; IBM SPSS analysis with step-by-step analysis setup and accompanying screen shots; and IBM SPSS output with screen shots and narrative on how to read or interpret the results of the analysis. The book provides in-depth chapter coverage of: IBM SPSS statistical output Descriptive statistics procedures Score distribution assumption evaluations Bivariate correlation Regressing (predicting) quantitative and categorical variables Survival analysis t Test ANOVA and ANCOVA Multivariate group differences Multidimensional scaling Cluster analysis Nonparametric procedures for frequency data Performing Data Analysis Using IBM SPSS is an excellent text for upper-undergraduate and graduate-level students in courses on social, behavioral, and health sciences as well as secondary education, research design, and statistics. Also an excellent reference, the book is ideal for professionals and researchers in the social, behavioral, and health sciences; applied statisticians; and practitioners working in industry.