Robust planning and analysis of experiments (Q1362462)

On the backflap of this book the author states: ``Robust statistics and the design of experiments are two of the fastest growing fields in contemporary statistics. Up to now, there has been very little overlap between these fields. In robust statistics, robust alternatives to the nonrobust least squares estimator were developed, while in experimental design, designs for the efficient use of the least squares estimator were derived. This volume is the first to link these two areas by studying the influence of the design on the efficiency and robustness of estimators and tests. It shows that robust statistical procedures profit by an appropriate choice of the design and that efficient designs for a robust statistical analysis are more applicable. The classical approaches of experimental design and robust statistics are introduced before the areas are linked.'' Quite enticing, but when you start reading the material inside the three main parts (with sections and subsections) you are bombarded with a highly abstract approach and I am convinced that the average statistician cannot read this book profitably. The book is really meant for a particular subset of mathematical statisticians who are capable of reading works by such authors as P. J. Bickel and J. C. Kiefer (and the works of this author as well). There are very few examples and applications to really bring the developments down to earth. For completeness sake the three main parts of the book have the following headings. Part 1: Efficient Inference for Planned Experiments; Part 2: Robust Inference for Planned Experiments; Part 3: High Robustness and High Efficiency. (The bulk of the developments takes place in Parts 2 and 3). The author is to be congratulated for this highly theoretical work and as a follow-up I would like to see her writing another one called ``Applied Robust Planning and Analysis of Experiments''. Good Luck!