Lisa Hollis-Sawyer sits in front of a black background.

Friday, September 25, 2020

Northeastern Illinois University Associate Professor of Psychology Lisa Hollis-Sawyer has published her sixth book, a workbook titled “Black Belt Statistics: A Competency-Based Approach (Plus SPSS and R).”

The book is co-authored by Thomas Sawyer and Patrick Nebl and is published by Cognella Active Learning. It uses a martial arts-inspired belt system, from white belt to black belt, allowing students to move through the ranks after they demonstrate a mastery of key concepts.

“This workbook presents statistical concepts and practice problems in a user-friendly manner with a focus on competency building with clear guidelines for skill achievement,” Hollis-Sawyer said.

There are 11 chapters in the workbook, which addresses basic terms, resolving formulas, research designs and variables, then moves to more advanced lessons, like Chi-Square and R programming.

Hollis-Sawyer’s other books include “In the Field: A Field Experience Manual for Internship and Service Learning Students” and “Women and Positive Aging: An International Perspective,” which she co-wrote with Associate Professor of Psychology Amanda Dykema-Engblade in March of 2016.

Book cover for Black Belt Statistics with an image of a man wearing karate clothes delivering a flying kick to a sigma symbol