A condensed and more streamlined version of the very popular and widely used UNDERSTANDABLE STATISTICS, Ninth Edition, this book offers instructors an effective way to teach the essentials of statistics, including early coverage of Regression, within a more limited time frame. Designed to help students overcome their apprehension about statistics, UNDERSTANDING BASIC STATISTICS, Fifth Edition, is a thorough yet approachable text that provides plenty of guidance and informal advice demonstrating the links between statistics and the world. The strengths of the text include an applied approach that helps students realize the real-world significance of statistics, an accessible exposition, and a new, complete technology package. The Fifth Edition addresses the growing importance of developing students' critical thinking and statistical literacy skills with the introduction of new features and exercises throughout the text. The use of the graphing calculator, Microsoft Excel, Minitab, and SPSS is covered but not required.