Constraints on experimental design

Box 10.1 outlines the important stages in designing an experiment. At an early stage, you should find out how your resources may constrain the design. For example, limits may be set by availability of subjects, cost of treatment, availability of a chemical or bench space. Logistics may be a factor (e.g. time taken to record or analyse data), or your equipment and facilities may affect design because you cannot regulate conditions as well as you might desire. You should also consider what statistical tests you intend to make, as this is an important part of experimental design.