RE: How Much Does Science Know?

Wilson, Dale (WILSONDO@phibred.com)
Fri, 24 Jul 1998 16:26:57 -0500

JJ Haapala,

> Trialing without replication and controls is valid
> anecdotal information, and useful in suggesting
> what is worthy of replicating.

I think you are right on target. This is the wise connection between
the phenomenological approach and the statistical, "scientific"
approach. Scientists should be guided to relevant work by anecdotes,
casual observation, folk knowledge, and intuition.

> While farmers often try new things without controls,
> if they work poorly they are rarely repeated.

Trials with minimal, or no replication help eliminate avenues of work
that represent a low probability of success. Scientists do this too.
IMO, this is one of the keys to responsible and efficient ag research.

Dale Wilson

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