An author writing a new book in a field where several good texts already exist inevitably wishes to explain why his book is necessary and how it differs from the texts that already exist. My explanation is as follows.
A student of mathematical statistics has a large array of books on probability or statistical theory from which to choose; he can find collections of mathematical theorems on the analysis of variance readily available. But the student whose filed is not mathematics – the biological or medical research worker, for example – is in genuine need of a short, nonmathematical course on the design and analysis of experiments, written in a rather informal style. This book is offered, then, as an answer to that need.
I have tried to make the book useful to the practising experimental worker as well as to the student. A researcher who cannot spare the time to take a formal course in experimental statistics can profit from studying this volume without benefit of a teacher. Yet the book will also be found suitable for a short, formal course at a college or university.
{from Preface, p. ix}