ALL ABOUT CONTROL: AN EXPLANATION OF AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTATION TERMINOLOGY

Abstract

Occasionally, errors are made in statistics that can compromise the results of the experiment and, consequently, the real objective of the research. Knowing the terms used in statistics is essential to be able to set up and conduct an experiment that is appropriate for the objectives and to obtain results that are consistent with the research objective. With this in mind, this review aimed to understand and conceptualize terms commonly used in statistics in the field of agricultural science, emphasizing the importance of the control treatment. To this end, a search was conducted in the scientific literature regarding these terms and how they can be used correctly in scientific works in the field of agricultural science in order to promote results that are appropriate to the research objective. This research concludes that it is essential to understand the concept of statistical terms for successful planning and interpretation of research data. And how the use of the control treatment can reduce experimental errors and variations, when used correctly. However, it is necessary to understand the details of the parametric and non-parametric tests applied in the reference treatment conditions, both in the design of the experiment and in the analysis of the data. The fact is that by using this device, the researcher can obtain conclusions through a single experiment, something that would not be possible without the use of control treatments. Furthermore, its correct use reduces type I and II errors.