Experimental Design and Data Analysis for Biologists

An essential textbook for any biologist needing to design experiments, sample programs or analyse the resulting data.

An essential textbook for any student or researcher in biology needing to design experiments, sample programs or analyse the resulting data. The text begins with a revision of estimation and hypothesis testing methods, covering both classical and Bayesian philosophies, before advancing to the analysis of linear and generalized linear models. Topics covered include linear and logistic regression, simple and complex ANOVA models (for factorial, nested, block, split-plot and repeated measures and covariance designs), and log-linear models. Multivariate techniques, including classification and ordination, are then introduced. Special emphasis is placed on checking assumptions, exploratory data analysis and presentation of results. The main analyses are illustrated with many examples from published papers and there is an extensive reference list to both the statistical and biological literature. The book is supported by a website that provides all data sets, questions for each chapter and links to software.

1. Introduction; 2. Estimation; 3. Hypothesis testing; 4. Graphical exploration of data; 5. Correlation and regression; 6. Multiple regression and correlation; 7. Design and power analysis; 8. Comparing groups or treatments - analysis of variance; 9. Multifactor analysis of variance; 10. Randomized blocks and simple repeated measures: unreplicated two-factor designs; 11. Split plot and repeated measures designs: partly nested anovas; 12. Analysis of covariance; 13. Generalized linear models and logistic regression; 14. Analyzing frequencies; 15. Introduction to multivariate analyses; 16. Multivariate analysis of variance and discriminant analysis; 17. Principal components and correspondence analysis; 18. Multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis; 19. Presentation of results.

An essential textbook for any biologist needing to design experiments, sample programs or analyse the resulting data. Worked examples are used to illustrate the analyses and an extensive reference list provides links to the relevant biological and statistical literature. A supporting website contains datasets, questions and software links.

Gerry Quinn is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at Monash University, and Program Leader in the Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology. He has taught experimental design and analysis courses for a number of years and has provided advice on the design and analysis of sampling and experimental programs in ecology and environmental monitoring to a wide range of university and government scientists. Gerry Quinn is a co-author of Monitoring Ecological Impacts: Concepts and Practice in Flowing Waters, Cambridge University Press, 2002.
Michael Keough is a Reader in Zoology at the University of Melbourne. His research interests lie in marine ecology, environmental science, and conservation biology. He has extensive experience teaching experimental design and analysis courses at a number of universities. He has also provided advice on design and analysis for environmental monitoring to a wide range of environmental consultants, and state and federal governments in Australia. Michael Keough is a co-author of Monitoring Ecological Impacts: Concepts and Practice in Flowing Waters, Cambridge University Press, 2002.