Overview

This book aims to teach the reader how to design effective experiments. The overwhelming majority of life scientists design experiments. However they tend to approach design in an informal ad hoc way, improving their techniques in the light of experience. This book aims to provide the junior scientist a with a reader-friendly way to learn how to design effective experiments without going through a painful trial and error process. For more experienced scientists, the text should also function to stimulate them to think about the way they design experiments, and perhaps lead them to design more effective experiments in future. Concepts, such as power analysis and pseudoreplication, that many experienced scientists consider to be mystifying or difficult, are explained in clear and practical terms. The emphasis throughout is to demonstrate that good experimental design is about clear thinking and biological understanding, not mathematical or statistical complexity. Companion Web Site All the figures from the book will be available to download free from the companion web site at www oup.com/uk/best.textbooks/biology/ruxtoncolegrave

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9780199252329

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...an invaluable introduction to statistical analysis of data...I would recommend this text to those embarking on PhD studies as it emphasises the need for planning before an experiment is performed. Biologist (2004) 51 (3) ... this would be a good book with which to coax mathophobic students into good habits. This book is equation free and takes a very, very gentle approach. TRENDS in Ecology and Evolution They approach each topic logically, and with excellent examples and case studies ... An important aspect of this book is the inclusion of key definitions ... I enjoyed reading this book, appreciated the unique approach, and have recommended it to my students as supplementary reading. Experimental Design for the Life Sciences has found a permanent place in my library of experimental design material. BioScience It may well prove to be the most useful textbook in biology for years. Trond Amundsen, Norwegian University of Science and Technology It's this determination to make this vital topic available to all that sets this book apart. This, along with the simplicity of the structure and the very reasonable price means that this should be seen as a vital must-by in this topic area. TEG NEWS

Author Information

Graeme Ruxton obtained a first degree in Physics before getting a PhD in Statistics and Modelling Science. After his PhD he worked for several years with the Scottish Agricultural Statistical Service in Edinburgh. He then got a lectureship in Ecology at the University of Glasgow, where he has been ever since. Nick Colegrave trained as an evolutionary biologist, obtaining his first degree at the University of Sussex, and his PhD on the evolution of competition strategies at the University of Sheffield. Since then he has held a number of postdoctoral research positions at various universities including, McGill, St Andrews, Glasgow and Edinburgh, working on various aspects of evolutionary biology, with a variety of organisms. At various points he has also held the post of zoology demonstrator at the University of Edinburgh, teaching experimental design to zoology students and advising on statistics. He has recently become lecturer in Invertebrate Zoology at Edinburgh.

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