Applied Statistics in Business and Economics provides real meaning to the use of statistics in the real world by using real business situations and real data while appealing students to know the why rather than just the how. Four distinct objectives have been met to follow this premise:

Objective 1: Communicate the Meaning of Variation in a Business Context
Objective 2: Use Real Data and Real Business Applications
Objective 3: Incorporate Current Statistical Practices and Offer Practical Advice
Objective 4: Provide More In-Depth Explanation of the Why and Let the Software Take Care of the How
The emphasis of the 5th edition remains the same: thinking about data, choosing appropriate analytic tools, using computers effectively, and recognizing limitations of statistics.