Journal of Agricultural Education Vol.39 No.2 1998

Periodically, the profession should examine the fundamentals related to our analysis procedures. The author does not purport to be a scholar of statistics. He has continued to study the topic beyond the mandatory preparation for a terminal degree because he believes that “if you are green you are growing, but, if you are ripe; then you are ready to rot.” In short, the last time he spent many hours reading about statistics has been more recent than when he completed a doctorate. Such study is done because a professional needs to remain competent, because he has taught statistics and research methods at the university level, because the graduate students advised deserve knowledgeable assistance, and because of a belief that professors should not place the decision making for data analysis only in the hands of statistical consultants and computer analysis assistants.