Many gross errors in applying statistical methods arise through not knowing when they work, or when the results are a nonsense, and through using methods that are not entirely appropriate to the problems being analysed. The most effective way of learning to use and appreciate statistical methods is through an applied approach. Clarke's popular textbook provides a non-mathematical account of all the statistical methods commonly used by students and researchers in the biological sciences. It describes the methods, their uses and the interpretation of results and in addition, presents the ideas behind, and the limitations of, standard statistical procedure. The text acknowledges the importance of computers in the analysis of data and gives students advice on the use of MINITAB in statistical work and the use of computer graphics to illustrate reports.