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Statistical analysis is an important tool in experimental research and is essential for the reliable interpretation of experimental results. It is essential that statistical design should be considered at the very beginning of a research project, not merely as an afterthought. For example if the sample size for an experiment only allows for an underpowered statistical analysis, then the interpretation of the experiment will have to be limited. An experiment cannot be reverse engineered to become more statically significant, although experiments can of course be repeated independently to account for biological variation (see section on technical versus biological replicates below). Statistical methods are tools applied to situations in which we encounter variability, noise and uncertainty. They help make more definitive scientific conclusions, and to make better use of available resources.

In this new EMBO Journal statistics series, I …