[size=13.8889px]Computer-Aided Multivariate Analysis by Afifi, Clark, and May provides an applied introduction to the analysis of multivariate data. The preface says:
“This book has been written for investigators, specifically behavioral scientists, biomedical scientists, and industrial or academic researchers, who wish to perform multivariate statistical analyses and understand the results. It was written so that it can either be used as a self-guided textbook or as a text in an applied course in multivariate analysis. ...&srquo;
Sections 1 and 2, the first half of the book, review the basics—understanding the different types of data, preparing your data, selecting appropriate statistical techniques, and using and understanding regression and correlation techniques.
Section 3, the second half of the book, covers canonical correlation, discriminant analysis, logistic regression, survival analysis, principal components, factor analysis, cluster analysis, and log-linear analysis.
The applied introductory nature of the book can be seen in the table of contents. Most chapters include subsections titled “Chapter outline”, “When is this_technique used”, “Data example”, “Basic concepts”, “Discussion of computer programs”, “What to watch out for”, “Summary”, “References”, and “Problems”.
The UCLA website
http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/examples/cama4
provides another resource for readers of this book. Many of the book’s examples are demonstrated in Stata and four other statistical packages. The data are available for download from within Stata so that you can practice applying the techniques as you read.
If you are looking for derivations and proofs, this book is not for you. If you are looking for guidance on techniques to use, when to use them, and how to interpret what they produce, this book will prove helpful.