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The question of good science

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

John E. Ikerd
Affiliation:
Extension Professor of Agricultural Economics and Coordinator of Sustainable Agricultural Systems Programs, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211.
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Abstract

Research serves different purposes for scientists and for farmers, and the two groups evaluate research results differently. Scientists are mainly concerned about the chance that they have reached an incorrect conclusion, while farmers are mainly concerned about the chunce they will make an incorrect decision based on the results. Research conducted by farmers on their own farms can be more directly applicable to other farmers' conditions than experiment station research, and therefore can reduce the risk of an incorrect decision.

Type
Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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