Support and Illumination

Abstract

Those who teach statistics often fail to transmit understanding of vital parts of their commonly used technical vocabulary, especially that relating to the nature and objectives of various concepts. Consequences for choice of methods and for logical interpretation of analyses can be serious. Today, many biologists and other scientists use statistical procedures despite being themselves almost without training in the discipline; some may even deliberately have avoided exposure to the study of what they mistakenly perceived as requiring great mathematical talent. Lack of understanding of principles leaves many a biologist prey to those who suggest that attractively packaged commercial software will meet all his needs!