Randy says: One thing that often bothers me in protocols is when researchers use the words "randomly chosen" instead of "arbitrarily chosen." The latter allows investigator bias Actually, the process should always be randomly chosen - although Randy is right in that the goal is random, but the selection isn't always. The best approach is to set the criteria for 'acceptable' colonies (e.g., they must be queen right, have x number frames of bees, y number frames brood, etc.) From that set, then use a random number generator and assign the controls, treatments, etc. However, if you walk out in the beeyard and just pick (random) colonies, then you aren't truly random, subject to bias. We usually have a 3rd party generate the random numbers and colony treatment assignments back at the office/lab - someone who has never seen the colonies. Jerry *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html Guidelines for posting to BEE-L can be found at: http://honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm