To reach reasoned decisions involving issues of public policy and law, statistical data and studies often need to be assessed for their accuracy and relevance. This two-volume set presents a unique and comprehensive treatment of statistical methods in legal practice. Designed to serve as a text or reference, the book presents basic concepts of probability and statistical inference applied to actual data arising from court cases concerning discrimination, trademark evidence, environmental and occupational exposure to toxic chemicals, and related health and safety topics. Substantial attention is devoted to assessing the strengths and weaknesses of statistical studies, with examples illustrating why some health studies may not have been properly designed at the outset and how actual decisions might have been reversed had more appropriate analysis of data been available to the court. This book will be of interest to lawyers and other practitioners of the law, as well as to students and researchers in the areas of statistics, statistical economics, political science, and law.

Inhalt

OF VOLUME 2: Principles and Application of Scientific Sampling. Small Probabilities: Calculation and Interpretation of Accident and Disease Rates. Comparison of the Characteristics of Two Populations Using Matched or Paired Data. Further Concepts of Statistical Inference: Bayesian Methods and the Likelihood Function. The Main Types of Medical Studies and Their Application in Law and Public Policy. The Use of Statistical and Epidemiologic Evidence in Tort Cases and Public Policy.