This text explores the basic principles of probability and inferential statistics, illustrated with current data from general and scientific journals. Using applications and exercises from a wide variety of disciplines, Blaisdell guides students to develop an awareness and appreciation for the role of statistics in their environment. Integration of MINITAB™ for Microsoft Windows helps students analyze, evaluate, and comprehend statistical information, with each command explained at its first use in an application. Each set of commands is accompanied by a marginal box containing optional instructions for using menus and dialog boxes. Because not all students have access to MINITAB, it has been incorporated into the text in a manner that affords an instructor considerable flexibility concerning its usage in the course.