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Book Review
Comprehensive Textbook of Biostatistics and
Research Methodology
Edition: 1st, 2016
ISBN: 978‑93‑81496‑25‑1
Authors: Dr. S. Kartikeyan, Dr. R. M. Chaturvedi, Mr. R. M. Bhosale
Publishers: Bhalani Publishing House, Parel, Mumbai 400 012, Maharashtra, India.
Pages: 643
Price: Not Mentioned
The first edition of “Comprehensive Textbook of
Biostatistics and Research Methodology” has been
recently published by Bhalani Publishing House,
Mumbai. There are several classic and established books
on the topic, but this one is unique in its presentation
and well assimilating the updates in the field, especially
with reference to popular information technology (IT)
revolution. There are 35 chapters in the book and each is
divided into well‑structured subchapters. Despite written
on the topic of statistics, the book is rather descriptive
than mathematical in character. Due to this descriptive
“nonintimidating” approach and minimum use of
complex statistical notations, readers will discover that
the study of Biostatistics and Research Methodology can
be entertaining and interesting. The author Dr. Kartikeyan
is Professor and Head of Department of Community
Medicine at Rajeev Gandhi Medical College, Thane,
while Dr. Chaturvedi is Dean at Balasaheb Thakre
Municipal Medical College, Mumbai, previously
Professor and Head of Lokmanya Tilak Medical College,
Mumbai. The third author Mr. Bhosale, a Statistician, is
Assistant Director (Census), Government of India, and
also has substantial experience of teaching statistics to
medical students.
The vast teaching and research experience of all the
authors is reflected in unique presentation of the
contents. Unlike most other books on biostatistics, this
book begins with a chapter on evolution and history of
statistics, wherein the statistical system in India and
some other countries is discussed. The chapter on Data
Presentation Techniques will update the readers on
new methods of graphical data presentation. The book
contains separate chapters on sampling techniques,
survey methods, research methodology, and clinical
trials. In addition to solved examples in various chapters,
© 2016 Indian Journal of Public Health | Published by Wolters Kluwer ‑ Medknow
chapter 33 contains 45 solved examples on biostatistics
while chapter 34 contains 25 solved examples on vital
statistics which will help students in preparing for
practical examinations in community medicine. The
topics such as data privacy and confidentiality, data theft
and data security, and legal and ethical issues in data
handling, all about which a public health expert should
be aware of in today’s world, are the exclusive part of
this book.
Some of the chapters have appendices which provide
interesting practical information and can help as ready
reckoner. However, what I liked most is the exhaustive
list of authoritative references at the end of each chapter
and keeping to the promise of delivering the most updated
information, inclusion of a large number of relevant
and authentic web linkages. This book definitely has
a potential of becoming a “must” in every community
medicine professor’s personal library. The two‑column
layout is usually used for books on statistics to save
the space considering the nature of contents of such
books. However, it could have been avoided in this book
considering its descriptive nature, and hopefully, more
impressive page layout is expected in future editions.
As per quote from Lewis and Burke – “You cannot simply
use a statistic because you know how to calculate it. You
must understand the rationale behind its development and
limitations on its application imposed by the assumptions
underlying it”  –  is the philosophy behind the book
and that increases the value of book in the reader’s
cognizance.
Prasad J. Waingankar1,2
1
Department of Community Medicine, M. G. M. Medical College,
Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, 2Central Council Member, Indian
Public Health Association
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242 Book Review

Corresponding Author: Dr. Prasad J. Waingankar,
Department of Community Medicine, M. G. M. Medical College,
Navi Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
E‑mail: wprasad67@gmail.com
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DOI: 10.4103/0019-557X.189036

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Cite this article as: Waingankar PJ. Comprehensive textbook of biostatistics

and research methodology. Indian J Public Health 2016;60:241-2.

Indian Journal of Public Health, Volume 60, Issue 3, July‑September, 2016