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Mathematical formulations and hypotheses can play a vital role in biological researches and studies. This interdisciplinary field of math and biology amalgamation is called biostatistics. For a thorough understanding of the subject, researchers and beginners must read the best Biostatistics books.
Some books provide a basic understanding of the field. It teaches the users about the application of statistics in solving biological data problems. The methods to conduct a biological survey, obtain the data, interpret, and analyze data is essential for any survey-based studies.
All these essentially relevant topics can be found in a single place. Here, we have prepared a list of the 10 best biostatistics books for beginners, intermediate learners, and advanced researchers. Read the description of each book to see if they match your needs. Each book has been selectively handpicked by us.
Best Biostatistics Books For Beginners To Advanced Biostatisticians
There are several books written and read on Biostatistics in the past few decades. Science evolves every day, and so does the subject of Biostatistics. The latest computational approach in solving the biological data has changed the content of books for new researchers.
Given below is a quick list of the best books on Biostatistics picked by us based on the learner’s level of study. You could pick any book that suit your level of learning.
- For beginners level: Biostatistics For Dummies and An introduction to Biostatistics are one of the best Biostatistics books for Beginners
- For beginners to Intermediate level: Intuitive Biostatistics and Fundamentals of Biostatistics could provide subtle information
- For Intermediate to Advance level: Essentials of Biostatistics in Public Health and Basic Biostatistics: statistics for public health practice are great choices for learning methodologies
- For Advance level: Biostatistics for the Biological and Health Sciences is excellent for solving case studies
Read more to explore the best books to learn Biostatistics. You can find the descriptions of the above-mentioned books below.
1. Fundamentals of Biostatistics
Fundamentals of Biostatistics authored by Bernard Rosner is a practical approach to understand the methods, techniques, and computation of statistics on human populations. The medical research problems have been used as examples to show the implementation of the mathematical approach in solving them. The use and enforcement of software such as SAS, Stata, R, Excel, or Minitab are also written down.
More than 300 biological-based problems and methods to solve them, along with 600 additional problems and solutions in the book. The book is parted into a total of 14 chapters. It begins with a general overview of the subject. It is succeeded by a description of the statistics. This section includes case studies and general definitions. Each chapter begins with an introduction and ends with a summary.
Separate chapters are devoted to the topics of probability, discrete probability distributions, continuous probability distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing, nonparametric methods, regression and correlation methods, multi-sample inference, design and analysis techniques for epidemiological studies, and many more.
Why You Should Buy This Book
- A comprehensively written book with real-life examples
- A brief description of the bootstrap, permutation tests, sample size estimation for logistic regression covered
- Statistical software and its usage included
- Additional reading material for quick inference and extra knowledge
- Online data sets for SAS, SPSS, JMP, MINITAB, Excel, and ASCII formats that include all the problems in the text and make use of real data.
- Several applications are highlighted separately
- Includes cutting-edge research in the field for academic and professional careers
- More about implementation of the mathematical formulas than description
- It is an absolute guide for students pursuing a career in statistics and biostatistics
Level (best suitable for): Beginner to Intermediate
2. Biostatistics For Dummies
Biostatistics For Dummies can be considered as a good start for beginners. The book is elementary and divided into a total of six parts. The first part deals with the basics of statistics, which helps students in overcoming math phobia. It involves a short review of biostatistics and statistical software. The method of conducting clinical research and trials and drug development are the concluding chapters of this section.
The second section is about the analysis of data using computers. Part three is based on comparing average value between groups, analyzing cross-tabulation, incidence and prevalence rates in epidemiological data, and much more. Part four is an insight on relationships with correlation and regression, analyzing survival data, and regression.
The 10 distributions worth knowing are the concluding chapters of the book. The biological data analysts are responsible for finding answers to the various biological health questions. Certain questions like the effects of drugs, risk factors for cardiovascular disease, risk factors among different ethnic groups, causes of autism, etc. can be answered by this area of science. The book provides case studies for similar situations.
Why You Should Buy This Book
- Written in simple plain language that explains the techniques and methods involved in the analysis
- It is an excellent supplement for those who find this subject complicated
- It is a typical and introductory book perfect for beginners
- This book belongs to the students from the field of medicine, forestry, agriculture, bioinformatics, public health, and epidemiology
- Undergraduate and graduate-level students can take benefit from this comprehensive study book
Level (best suitable for): Beginners
3. Biostatistics: The Bare Essentials
Biostatistics: The Bare Essentials is an essential and ideal book for studying the basics of this subject. The book is famous among the Biostatisticians since it involves an explanation of statistics concepts with minimum mathematics involvement.
Overall, the book is divided into five clear-cut and thorough sections. Section one is on the nature of data and statistics. The next section is about the analysis of variance. The third section is a brief detail on regression and correlation which are essential topics in biostatistics. The fourth section is on nonparametric statistics. And the concluding Fifth section is named reprise which marks the end of book.
The biometrics concepts are discussed in detail. The purpose of the book is to implement the research results on the group of the population involved in the trial. The key feature is that it highlights the misinterpretation of statistical tests.
Why You Should Buy This Book
- Very simple language is used and easy to understand words.
- More emphasis on concepts rather than mathematical calculations
- Methods to detect misinterpretation of statistical results are included
- Free from calculations, the readers do not require any technical dictionary
- Short and precise sections for easy navigation.
- Recommended for beginners and intermediate learners
- An ideal book for clearing the essential concepts involved in biostatistics
Level (best suitable for): Beginner to Intermediate
4. Principles of Biostatistics
Principles of Biostatistics is written particularly for students belonging to the field of biological sciences and healthcare society. The researchers who wish to understand the clinical trials and statistics can rely on this book for a clear-cut understanding of the subject. The book is divided into a total of three sections.
The initial chapter deal with a brief introduction followed by data presentation, numerical summary measures, rates and standardization, life tables, and more. The important topics such as probability, theoretical probability distributions, the sampling distribution of the mean, confidence intervals, and so on are included in the mid-section of the book.
Hypothesis testing, comparison of two means, analysis of variance, nonparametric methods, inference on proportions, contingency tables, and much more are the essential topics to be studied in biostatistics. These topics are written in very much detail. The book concludes on important topics such as correlation, simple linear regression, multiple regression, logistic regression, survival analysis, and sampling theory.
Why You Should Buy This Book
- Straightforward text and simple language
- Easy words to understand and use of non-technical words
- Clear segregation of topics into lucid chapters
- Written by experts in the field of biological and mathematical sciences
- Clears the concepts with real-life examples and situations
- Recommended for beginners and intermediate learners belonging to biology and mathematics background
Level (best suitable for): Beginner to Intermediate
5. Intuitive Biostatistics
Intuitive Biostatistics is a different book since it is both an introduction to the topic and a review of statistics. There is a total of nine sections in the book. Section 1 includes three chapters with the basic outline on statistics and probability, the complexity of probabilities, and sample analysis in the population. The next section details confidence intervals.
The third section includes topics such as continuous variables, the theory of confidence interval, and error bars. Section 4 is about P values and significance, statistical power testing for equivalence, and so on. The next section is about the challenges faced in statistics.
Section 6 is about the statistical tests between two means, to parent groups, and correlation. The next section is about fitting models to data such as linear regression, non-linear regression, multiple regression, and so on.
The analysis of variance, non-parametric methods, sensitivity, and meta-analysis are included in the next section. The last section is about the key concepts involved in statistics, capstone example, reproducibility, and checklist for reporting statistical methods and results.
Why You Should Buy This Book
- Includes more explanation rather than pure mathematics
- Very few calculations and tables are used to solve a problem
- Written in simple language and easy to understand format
- Impressive and lucid style of writing
- This book is recommended for medical professionals who wish to understand the statistical portions during research
- Undergraduates and graduate students, postdocs, and researchers who are involved in data analysis can read this book for their general understanding
- The scientists who stay in touch with the statisticians for calculations can depend on this book for solving their issues.
Level (best suitable for): Beginner to Intermediate
6. An Introduction to Biostatistics
An introduction to Biostatistics is a book that provides biological science students the accessibility and complete introduction to the applications of statistics in their research fields. The book is divided into a total of 11 chapters. The first chapter is a detailed introduction to data analysis, variables and data types, central tendency, dispersion and variability, tables and graphs, accuracy, and precision.
The second chapter is about probability and the rules of probability. A quick overview of Mendelian genetics is also given. The third and fourth chapter is a combination of probability distributions and sampling distributions. The chapter 5 deals with a very significant bio-statistical topic that is hypothesis testing.
One sample test and two-sample tests both are described in detail in chapter 6 and 7. Chapter 8 deals with ANOVA and means separation techniques for model and k sample test of hypothesis. The two-factor analysis is included in detail in chapter 9. Linear regression and correlation are written in brief in chapter 10. The last, chapter 11, deals with binomial tests, chi-square test, and all the goodness of fit test.
Why You Should Buy This Book
- Very comprehensive and detailed
- The book emphasizes the relationship between probability, hypothesis testing, viability distribution, and using both parametric and nonparametric analysis methods
- The book includes an extensive number of examples that are based on the application of the concept and theories to real-life scenarios
- Short questions with a logical approach keep the reader thinking from a new perspective
- Researchers from biology, environmental science, health science, biochemistry, bioinformatics, and much more can take benefit from this book
Level (best suitable for): Beginners
7. Basic Biostatistics: Statistics for Public Health Practice
Basic Biostatistics: statistics for public health practice is a very precise, introductory textbook that covers all the principles and applications associated with public health data. Overall the book is divided into three brief sections. The first section is about general concepts and techniques behind biostatistics.
The different types of studies like surveys and comparative studies are discussed in detail. The topics of frequency distributions, statistics of summary, concepts of probability, binomial probability distributions, normal probability distributions, statistical inferences, hypothesis testing, the basis of confidence intervals, and many more similar topics are included in this section.
The second section is about the quantitative response variable. The inferences about a mean, comparing independent means, comparing several means, ANOVA technique, correlation and regression, multiple linear regression, and similar topics are included in this section. The last and final third section is about the categorical response variable. It includes precise chapters on inference about a proportion, comparing two proportions, cross-tabulated accounts, matched pairs, stratified 2 by 2 tables, and much more.
Why You Should Buy This Book
- The book is a perfect balance between explanation and confirmation using statistical methods
- Detailed examples based on topics such as sampling, estimation, hypothesis testing and so on is included
- The relevant examples and exercises are essential for clearing the concepts of the readers
- Chapters are clear-cut and brief and involve only necessary information
- Focus is given to statistical software along with human calculations
- It is a comprehensive guide with proper resources
Level (best suitable for): Intermediate to Advance
8. Methods in Biostatistics
Methods in Biostatistics is a book recommended for medical students and research workers. The book is divided into a total of 19 chapters. The initial chapters deal with the basic introduction to statistics and biostatistics. The details on data presentation, methods of presentation, quantitative and qualitative data presentations are mentioned.
The next chapter is about averages and percentiles, variability, types of variability, and measures of variability. Prominent topics of normal distribution and normal curves, the sample characteristics and sampling techniques are mentioned. The topics of probability, sampling, variability, the significance of the difference in means, significance of the difference in proportions of large samples are mentioned in brief details as separate individual chapters.
The further chapters include the applications of chi-square and chi-square test, and correlation and regression. The demography and vital statistics, measures of population and vital statistics, life tables are given in detail. A separate chapter is dedicated to solving problems and exercises.
Why You Should Buy This Book
- Comprehensive and easy to understand textbook for biostatistics
- The detailed description of methodologies for conducting a biological survey
- A separate chapter dedicated to answers to exercises
- Brief and intelligible text written in a concise format
- The method of designing an experimental study for conducting a biological survey
- The Computational software used in biostatistics mentioned
- Applications of computers in medicine, healthcare management, and so on.
Level (best suitable for): Advanced
Also Check: Best Epidemiology Books
9. Biostatistics for the Biological and Health Sciences
Biostatistics for the Biological and Health Sciences is an ideal book for generating a connection between the real-world applications and statistical concepts to everyday life. The book is divided into a total of 14 chapters. The first chapter is a brief overview of the statistics and biostatistics. The next chapter deals with the data types and representation along with tables and graphs.
The third chapter deals with describing, exploring, and comparing different types of data. The fourth chapter deals with the important topic of probability. The chapter 5 and 6 are about discrete and normal probability distributions respectively. Chapter 7 is a detailed text on estimating parameters and determining the size of the samples. The next chapter is on hypothesis testing.
Chapter 9 is about inferences from the two samples. Important topics of correlation, linear regression, logistic regression, and so on are included in chapter 10. The goodness of fit and contingency tables are written down in a separate chapter 11. The analysis of variance is a separate chapter 12. Chapter 13 is about the non-parametric test. The concluding chapter is about survival analysis.
Why You Should Buy This Book
- Written in simple language and use of less technical words for unambiguous text
- A comprehensive guide and clear division of sections
- Provides insights on critical thinking and a logical approach in researches
- This book includes illustrative examples to ensure that the concepts are clear to the reader
- It imparts research skills and knowledge
- Recommended for advance level learners belonging to biological and healthcare sciences
Level (best suitable for): Advanced
10. Essentials of Biostatistics in Public Health
Essentials of Biostatistics in Public Health is a source of fundamental information related to the interpretation of biostatistics application in the field of public health. The book is written in brief with a total of 12 chapters.
It begins with a brief introduction to the subject. It is followed by the study designs. The next chapter is about quantifying the extent of disease. The chapter followed by it includes the method of summarizing the data collected in the sample. Chapter 5 deals with the role of probability involved in biostatistics.
The next chapter is about confidence interval estimation. The hypothesis testing procedures and sample size determination are included as separate chapters in the details. The multivariable methods and nonparametric tests are also given. The survival analysis and data visualization chapters conclude the book.
Why You Should Buy This Book
- Comprehensively written with the use of simple and easy to understand language
- This includes real-life examples derived directly from clinics
- Application-based approach to understanding the concepts
- Relevant information and study material for conducting researches and surveys
- The text includes practical, accessible, and interesting mathematical information
- The real relevant and manageable size of examples are provided with a special focus on the applications of the data
- An interesting chapter on data visualization and interpretation is included
- A special chapter on reporting statistical results in the form of tables, figures, and text is also given
- The wrong way to organize data is also given to learning to avoid misinterpretation of results
- Very well organized and nicely formatted figures are provided with the samples
Level (best suitable for): Intermediate to Advance
In this article, we have discussed the 10 Best Biostatistics books recommended for every statistician and biostatistician. The best textbook to learn Biostatistics is previously mentioned at the beginning of this article.
These textbooks are extremely helpful in grasping the fundamentals of Biostatistics along with the applications of the mathematical formulae in conducting survey researches. The books with data visualization and data interpretation methods are worth a read.
Get books that are fundamental and application-based. Straightforward language and comprehensive books are always good to go with. You can opt for the one that meets your requirements efficiently.
mahajan’s book is a good book but not at all for advanced learners… it is a small book with brief discussion…