This text explains how statistical methods are used for data analysis and uses the elementary functions of R to perform the individual steps of statistical procedures. It includes amusing anecdotes and trivia, such as Ambrose Bierce’s definition of insurance. The text introduces basic concepts of inference through a careful study of several important procedures, including parametric and nonparametric methods, analysis of variance, and regression. It also presents many applications, supporting data sets, and end-of-chapter exercises. The R code and data sets are available for download online and a solutions manual is available for qualifying instructors.