Experimental Design for the Life Sciences: 2 th Edition - Softcover

Ruxton, Graeme D.; Colegrave, Nick

Softcover

ISBN 10: 019928511X ISBN 13: 9780199285112

Publisher: OUP Oxford, 2006

Synopsis

At the core of good research lies the careful design of experiments. Yet all too often a successful design comes only after a painful trial-and-error process, wasting valuable time and valuable resources. Experimental Design for the Life Sciences teaches the reader how to effectively design experiments, to ensure that today's students are equipped with the skills they need to be the researchers of tomorrow. With a refreshingly approachable and articulate style, the book explains the essential elements of experimental design in clear, practical terms, so that the reader can grasp and apply even the most challenging concepts, including power analysis and pseudoreplication. Emphasising throughout the inter-relatedness of experimental design, statistics, and ethical considerations, the book ensures that the reader really understands experimental design in the broader context of biological research, using examples drawn from a range of fields across the biosciences to show to the student how the theory is applied in active research. Above all, Experimental Design for the Life Sciences shows how good experimental design is about clear thinking and biological understanding, not mathematical or statistical complexity - putting it at the heart of any biosciences student's education. Online Resource Centre: The companion web site features: For lecturers: · Figures from the book available to download, to facilitate lecture preparation For students and lecturers: · Discussion forum, promoting the discussion of experimental design in real research, to stimulate active learning on the part of the student.

About this title

Review:

At last a text which clearly and comprehensively takes the student through the mechanisms of sound practice and the pitfalls of less sound experimental design in the biological sciences. Although aimed directly at the undergraduate life sciences student it would also be useful to those studying both above and below this level. (Journal of Biological Education, Autumn 2006)

This is an excellent book for learning how to approach the design of experimental and, indeed, observational work. It avoids the usual inclusion of statistical detail that turns many students off while retaining all the key issues that are necessary for planning studies that produce good science. I commend this book to all those who struggle to get students to think seriously about designing good scientific studies. (Higher Education Academy, Bioscience e-Journal, June 2006.)

Book Description:

TEXTBOOK

About this edition

• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 019928511X
• ISBN 13: 9780199285112
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 184