We are happy thrilled ecstatic to annouce that the textbook “Discovering Statistics Using JASP” is now officially in production, with an envisioned release date in the first quarter of 2025.
Early this year, JASP team members Johnny van Doorn and EJ Wagenmakers took on the task of “JASPifying” the classic textbook “Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics“. In close collaboration with Andy Field, Johnny and EJ cut some material, modified an example here and there, and –crucially– replaced all of the SPSS analyses with JASP analyses. Because Johnny van Doorn did most of the work, both Andy and EJ were pleasantly surprised that the JASPification process was much more smooth and effortless than originally anticipated ;-). Some general remarks:
- One of the advantages of the JASPification of Andy’s textbook was that it forced us (well, Johnny) to upgrade the ANOVA functionality in JASP so that all of Andy’s analyses could be easily accommodated.
- This is obviously an incredibly biased take, but we believe that the JASPification has made the book much prettier. The main reason: the figures that JASP produces (such as the raincloud plots) are clean, informative, and publication-ready.
- Johnny and EJ went through the SPSS version with a fine-tooth comb, and ultimately this resulted in some useful additions and clarifications.
- One of the reasons for the popularity of Andy’s textbook is certainly his unorthodox examples and his unique style. We think that Johnny and EJ did a good job in emulating Andy’s voice (and both Johnny and EJ had a lot of fun doing this).
- Another reason for the popularity of Andy’s textbook is that he relates each statistical analysis to a simple regression equation. This way Andy stresses the underlying commonalities, so that the student appreciates that superficially very different analyses actually share a common core. It is also essential that Andy takes the time to explain statistical concepts clearly, without offloading the explanations to a series of equations.
In sum, we are stoked that Andy’s textbook will now be available for use with JASP, and we will keep you posted on new developments as they arise.
References
Field, A. (2024). Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics (6th ed.). London: Sage.
Field, A., van Doorn, J., & Wagenmakers, E.-J. (in press). Discovering statistics using JASP. London: Sage.
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