A significant amount of academic research his conducted using quantitative research methods. In many universities large and expensive statistical software has been acquired. However much of this software requires a considerable amount of training before researchers are capable of using it correctly and this can cause difficulties.

Many academic researchers are surprised by just how much analytical work can be done using the ubiquitous Microsoft Excel software. This book presents a course on the use of statistics in academic research starting with simple descriptive techniques and working through to sophisticated inferential methods.

A step-by-step approach has been taken and has been described by users of this book as similar to having the teacher standing by you as you learn about some of the sophisticated methods of handling and understanding data.

Readers of this book have my best wishes in achieving their objectives through their work with academic research.