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A major paradigm shift is occurring in the approach of ecologists to statistical analysis. The use of the traditional approach of null‐hypothesis testing has been questioned and an alternative, model selection by information–theoretic methods, has been strongly promoted and is now widely used. For certain types of analysis, information–theoretic approaches offer powerful and compelling advantages over null‐hypothesis testing.

The benefits of information–theoretic methods are often framed as criticisms of null‐hypothesis testing. We argue that many of these criticisms are neither irremediable nor always fair. Many are criticisms of the paradigm's application, rather than of its formulation. Information–theoretic methods are equally vulnerable to many such misuses. Care must be taken in the use of either approach but users of null‐hypothesis tests, in particular, must greatly improve standards of reporting and …