Our aim in this book is to explain and illustrate the fundamental statistical concepts required for designing efficient experiments to answer real questions. This book has evolved from a previous book written by the first author. That book was based on 25 years of experience of designing experiments for research scientists and of teaching the concepts of statistical design both to statisticians and to experimenters. The present book is based on approximately a combined 100 years of experience of designing experiments for research scientists, and of teaching the concepts of statistical design both to statisticians and to experimenters.

The development of statistical philosophy about the design of experiments has always been dominated by mathematical theory. In contrast the influence of the availability of vastly improved computing facilities on teaching, textbooks and, most crucially, practical experimentation has been relatively small. The existence of statistical programs capable of analysing the results from any designed experiment does not imply any changes in the main statistical concepts of design. However, developments from these concepts have often been restricted by the earlier need to develop mathematical theory for design in such a way that the results from the designs could be analysed without recourse to computers. The fundamental concepts continually require reexamination and reinterpretation outside the limits implied by classical mathematical theory so that the full range of design possibilities may be considered. The result of the revolution in computing facilities is that the design of experiments should become a much wider and more exciting subject. We hope that this book will display that breadth and excitement.