Applied Statistics For Food And Agricultural Scientists

Abstract: An applied statistics text is offered for college students, teachers, research scientists, and those engaged in agriculture and the food industries. The sequence of topic presentation proceeds from data organization and tabulation, through graphing (to obtain the data distribution pattern), to analysis of the pattern (to determine location and dispersion parameters); interpretation of the results and report-writing are the final phases. A comprehensive range of direct statistical tests is covered, along with numerous examples and problems. Mathematical complexities and formula derivations are avoided; a knowledge of high school mathematics is sufficient to underastand and apply the statistical methods covered. (wz).

This classic book will meet the needs of food and agricultural industries in both their research and business needs. Learn the fundamentals of applying statistics to the business and research needs in the food and agricultural industries. Statistical Methods for Food and Agriculture is a practical, hands-on resource that explores how statistics, a relatively recent development for science and business, facilitates the decision-making process. The range of techniques and applications explained and demonstrated in each of the four major sections of this volume provides a substantial course of study for those in business, government, and universities dealing with food, agriculture, and economics. Part I provides an introduction to the uses of statistics today, including basic concepts and definitions. Part II examines the statistical needs of the food researcher. The emphasis is on design of planned experiments, the analysis of data generated by planned experiments, and decision making in a research environment. Part III deals with statistical procedures that have a wide range of uses for the researcher and business analyst in both business and research situations. Part IV focuses on those statistical methods that have primarily a business application. This important volume is sufficiently detailed to enable the reader to learn and develop without outside assistance. References lead to more detailed presentations for those desiring additional specialized information, and helpful exercises at the end of each chapter permit the book?s use as a textbook as well.

Better experimental design and statistical analysis make for more robust science. A thorough understanding of modern statistical methods can mean the difference between discovering and missing crucial results and conclusions in your research, and can shape the course of your entire research career. With Applied Statistics, Barry Glaz and Kathleen M. Yeater have worked with a team of expert authors to create a comprehensive text for graduate students and practicing scientists in the agricultural, biological, and environmental sciences. The contributors cover fundamental concepts and methodologies of experimental design and analysis, and also delve into advanced statistical topics, all explored by analyzing real agronomic data with practical and creative approaches using available software tools. IN PRESS! This book is being published according to the “Just Published” model, with more chapters to be published online as they are completed.

An understanding of the basics, logic, and theory of statistics is essential for agricultural researchers for dealing with the interpretation of data. This volume presents some of the basic and necessary concepts of statistical tools, specifically as applied to the statistics of agriculture and allied fields. It covers basic statistics, design of experiments, sampling techniques, time series, inference outlines, forecasting models, data handling, and statistical software in an easy-to-understand manner that is aimed at students and researchers with little or no mathematical background. In the agriculture scenario, students and researchers face problems that can be addressed with statistical tools, planning of field experiments, collection of data, analysis, interpretation of the data, etc. In this book, statistical theories are discussed with the help of examples from real-life situations in agriculture and allied fields, followed by worked-out examples. Each chapter is followed by a number of problems and questions that will help readers gain confidence in solving those problems. The volume also provides an analysis of how data is important and introduces the reader to using statistical software such as MS Excel, SAS (Statistical Analysis System), JMP, Minitab, and R (from the R Foundation for Statistical Computing).

The range of techniques and applications explained and demonstrated in each section provide a substantial course of study for those in business, government, and universities dealing with food, agriculture, and economics. References lead to more detailed presentations for those desiring additional specialized information.

The practical approached championed in this book have led to increasing the quality on many successful products through providing a better understanding of consumer needs, current product and process performance and a desired future state. In 2009, Frank Rossi and Viktor Mirtchev brought their practical statistical thinking forward and created the course “Statistics for Food Scientists . The intent of the course was to help product and process developers increase the probability of their project’s success through the incorporation of practical statistical thinking in their challenges. The course has since grown and has become the basis of this book. Presents detailed descriptions of statistical concepts and commonly used statistical tools to better analyze data and interpret results Demonstrates thorough examples and specific practical problems of what food scientists face in their work and how the tools of statistics can help them to make more informed decisions Provides information to show how statistical tools are applied to improve research results, enhance product quality, and promote overall product development

The safety and quality of the U.S. food supply depend on a total program of careful microbiological control. Microbiological criteria, which establish acceptable levels of microorganisms in foods and food ingredients, are an essential part of such a program. Says ASM News, "This book provides not only an informed and objective evaluation of microbiological criteria for a wide variety of foods and specific pathogens and the committee's recommendations regarding those criteria, but it also provides an excellent reference book on the applied microbiological aspects of food quality assurance."