This primer provides an accessible introduction to MATLAB version 8 and its extensive functionality for statistics. Fulfilling the need for a practical user's guide, the book covers capabilities in the main MATLAB package, the Statistics Toolbox, and the student version of MATLAB, presenting examples of how MATLAB can be used to analyze data. It explains how to determine what method should be used for analysis, and includes figures, visual aids, and access to a companion website with data sets and additional examples.