Observations (or recorded data) is the only truth available to a researcher. It needs to be treated with respect, for it is for real. Models are a different species altogether. A researcher does not create/generate data to fit a model, rather the data represent the phenomenon under study as affected by the treatments and other controlled/uncontrolled all influencing factors. If an experimental data does not fit a generally considered appropriate model for the phenomenon, do not panic! The experimenter might be at the threshold of discovering something new, something that was probably not found earlier, so it is important. Or simply, the 'general model' was a result of 'censored data'. One experiments not to prove or otherwise a model, but try to honestly study a phenomenon the researcher has chosen to be of significance. Do not worry, if one is not able to give cogent explanations to the observations. Just state that. This will be much better than 'just censoring' the data.
The writeup by Donald Wheeler needs more material/explanation/further treatment. I do not know why he stopped at this brief explanation.
Nagin Chand
Scientist, CSIR and
former Adviser, AICTE
Observations (or recorded data) is the only truth available to a researcher. It needs to be treated with respect, for it is for real. Models are a different species altogether. A researcher does not create/generate data to fit a model, rather the data represent the phenomenon under study as affected by the treatments and other controlled/uncontrolled all influencing factors. If an experimental data does not fit a generally considered appropriate model for the phenomenon, do not panic! The experimenter might be at the threshold of discovering something new, something that was probably not found earlier, so it is important. Or simply, the 'general model' was a result of 'censored data'. One experiments not to prove or otherwise a model, but try to honestly study a phenomenon the researcher has chosen to be of significance. Do not worry, if one is not able to give cogent explanations to the observations. Just state that. This will be much better than 'just censoring' the data.
The writeup by Donald Wheeler needs more material/explanation/further treatment. I do not know why he stopped at this brief explanation.
Nagin Chand
Scientist, CSIR and
former Adviser, AICTE